The Gold Coast’s Most Popular Beaches

The unbroken ribbon of magnificent golden beaches is, and always will be, the most important attraction that entices holiday visitors to Australia’s famous Gold Coast. The beaches are the jewel in the Gold Coast tourism crown, and without them, there would not be a Gold Coast.

While theme parks adapt to the newest technology, and entertainment slavishly follows each passing fad, the 42kms of pristine coastline , golden sands, ocean swells, secluded bays and inlets , bather amenities and surf life savers… these all reinforce why the Gold Coast remains unchallenged as Australia’s leading holiday destination.

Surfing is a popular Gold Coast activity with both young and old and the breaks at Burleigh Point, Duranbah, Kirra and South Stradbroke provide some of the  top surfing conditions. The Gold Coast hosts international surfing championships such as the Billabong Pro. Kurrawa Beach at Broadbeach has been the site of the national surf lifesaving titles.

The Gold Coast City Council is responsible for swimmer safety and patrols more beaches than any other local authority in Australia and is renowned for its beach safety initiatives. It utilises helicopters, boats, jet skis and watercraft in its rescue operations.

Coolangatta – Kirra – Greenmount

These beaches provide an alternative to the sweeping expanse of shoreline found elsewhere. This part of the Gold Coast offers some of the prettiest beaches, with secluded bays and headlands. Kirra has a reputation as  one of the Gold Coast’s most popular surfing beaches, with long off-shore breaks for the skilled boarders and smaller inshore waves for swimmers and body surfing . The Greenmount headland provides protection from the rolling ocean swells and create a protected beach area that is perfect for children.

Rainbow Bay is a fabulous little spot just around the corner from Greenmount and is a favourite for families with small children. Just around the next corner is Duranbah which is one of the Gold Coast’s most popular surfing spots.

This region sits at the border that separates Queensland and New South Wales and is the southernmost end of the Gold Coast. Urban sprawl has resulted in Coolangatta and neighbouring Tweed Heads merging into one urban area, yet remaining twin towns.

Palm Beach – Currumbin – Tallebudgera

Currumbin Creek and Tallebudgera Creek both have calm, shallow water estuary conditions that are ideal for small children . Yet just short distance away around the corner are some of the Gold Coast’s best surfing conditions . There are some excellent Gold Coast panoramic views from this region. The local Surf Lifesaving Clubs are good choices for meals and the Currumbin RSL Club is a popular venue for a night out.

One of the best known natural attractions on the Gold Coast is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Feeding the rainbow lorrikeets which come swooping out of the surrounding bush at feeding times is a highlight of the reserve. This attraction has grown from a simple bird sanctuary to a major wildlife reserve with various Australiana tourist attractions.

Burleigh Heads

Located approximately half way between Southport to the north and Coolangatta in the south, Burleigh Heads is a popular choice for family holidays. It is less built-up than some other Gold Coast areas yet it lies within easy reach of the the more relaxed family atmosphere of the southern beaches and the lively nightlife to the north.

A small headland has a small National Park and koala park and provides excellent views of the surrounding coastline. Within the National Park there are a number of walking trails along the adjacent coastline. Just west of Burleigh are the popular attractions of Fleays Wildlife Park and Fauna Centre. Burleigh beaches are lined with beautiful parklands with picnic and BBQ areas. Burleigh Heads is well known for good surfing conditions and regularly hosts surfing and iron-man competitions.

Broadbeach

Broadbeach lies just minutes south of Surfers Paradise and is one of the most popular destinations for holiday makers on the Gold Coast . Broadbeach has patrolled surf beaches, with the popular Kurrawa Beach adjacent the traffic free Broadbeach Mall with more than 40 restaurants, coffee shops and bistros.

Resorts, apartment complexes and shopping centres dot the Broadbeach skyline. Broadbeach accommodation is rated amongst the best that the Gold Coast has to offer. Conrad Jupiters casino offers an island oasis of 24-hour casino action, restaurants, bars and a seasonal floorshow. The casino and the nearby shopping and dining precincts are linked via an elevated monorail.

Pacific Fair is Queensland’s largest shopping centre and is located in Broadbeach. It’s easy to spend a day wandering through the cobbled streets, dazzling arcades and department stores.

Surfers Paradise – Main Beach

Surfers Paradise is generally acknowledged as being the heart of the Gold Coast and symbolizes the Gold Coast lifestyle with the busiest stretch of beach and beach activities. Nightlife, nightclubs, bars and more restaurants per square kilometre than anywhere else in Australia… that’s Surfers Paradise. Street buskers, calypso bands and magicians entertain the passing hordes in Cavill Mall.

The kids will find plenty of fun with the games and rides in the Paradise Centre and major shopping centres and boutique retail outlets provide plenty of retail therapy for the grown ups. The Surfers Paradise holiday accommodation is world class with resorts and apartments to suit every taste and all budgets. 

A beach walk to cosmopolitan Main Beach via Narrowneck is a great way to appreciate the sheer size of the Gold Coast beaches. Head for Tedder Avenue with its mix of side walk cafes and dining precinct.

Southport – Broadwater Area

Southport is adjacent the Gold Coast Broadwater, a popular Gold Coast destination for all watersports enthusiasts. Sea World marine park is located at Southport and has dolphin, shark and sea lion shows, resident Polar bears, ski shows , the exhilarating Bermuda Triangle ride and lots more.

Marina Mirage is where visitors will find waterfront restaurants, stylish boutiques and cafes. The superb marina berths a mixof  luxury cruisers, houseboats, fishing trawlers and yachts.

Windsurfing, jet-skiing and parasailing are all very on the Broadwater and equipment rentals are available for visitors. The Broadwater has berthing facilities for cruises and off shore charters for a day of game fishing. Adrenalin rush junkies can dive off a platform suspended high above the water at Bungee Downunder.

As the Gold Coast’s northern business centre, Southport still houses many of the administrative offices of local government. Modern department stores, restaurants, cinemas and a host of retail outlets are available in the area.

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