One-punch victim Thomas Dover has awoken from a coma more than two days after being hit from behind and critically injured in Surfers Paradise.

His sister Candice Dover said this afternoon he remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Gold Coast University Hospital.

She said his family had remained at his side since the attack and were greatly relieved Thom, 21, was no longer on life support and was breathing on his own.

"We haven't left, he's stuck with all of us at the moment," she said.

"We've been trying to [wake him] for a little while. He hasn't been responding well, which is normal for a frontal lobe injury.

"We were in the room with him when he did it.

"It took a bit of effort to get him to respond, but responding, nodding, he opened an eye, kind of squeezed hands and let us know he in a bit of pain and then fell back asleep."

Three teenagers faced court on Thursday charged with assault and grievous bodily harm over the attack on Mr Dover.

All three were denied bail and will be held in detention until their next court appearance on January 25.

Mr Dover suffered serious head injuries when he fell to the ground in the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"Still a really, really long road to go," Candice said.

"He'll be in ICU over the weekend at least, if not until next week, and then the hospital might be his new home for a little while yet.

"But [it is] a massive relief to know he can hear us and know who we are."