As a glamorous poster child of Queensland tourism, the Gold Coast conjures images of gold-clad meter maids and riotous nightclubs. While the city certainly lives up to its ‘party town’ reputation, the locals know there’s much more to discover, than a flashy persona. Quirky towns, family-friendly fun and shady seclusion hides under the glitz, when you know where to find it. Here’s our list of the best Gold Coast beaches:
Surfers Paradise Beach
Catch a wave at glitzy Surfers Paradise Beach
Surfers Paradise Beach is the international superstar, lined with swanky high-rises, restaurants and non-stop events. This is the home of the infamous Orchid avenue nightclub strip, with (nearly) more souvenir and kebab shops than girls in bikinis. However, look beyond the promotion and ‘Surfers’ offers much more.
If you love biking, skateboarding, rollerblading or jogging, join the locals on the esplanade for oceans views and people-watching. Colourful, beachfront markets mean you might go home with a trinket or two and you can learn to catch a wave any day of the week, at a surf school.
When it’s time for a bite to eat, you can head to the big tourist chains, but some hidden gems might satisfy the taste buds more. Between Orchid Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard, narrow alleys house authentic Japanese, Korean Barbeque and casual Chinese restaurants. Follow your nose to the southern end of Surfers Paradise Boulevard to find Thai, Malaysian, Italian and Middle Eastern, a little off the beaten path.
The Spit
Views of the Gold Coast skyline from local hangout, The Spit
Most people don’t venture further than SeaWorld theme park, at Main Beach. When you do, you’ll find The Spit, a haven for boating, diving, surfing and chilling out. The Gold Coast Seaway separates The Spit from South Stradbroke Island and surfers paddle the choppy stretch, to take advantage of the island’s secluded waves.
It’s swarming with subtropical marine life and a prime spot to learn how to dive, with a seahorse colony, sting rays and turtles joining approximately 404 species of fish. There are two parks for footy, picnics and general lazing around. Keen fishermen throw a line in from the sand pumping jetty and, especially when the surf’s up, you can walk out on the rock wall to watch giant waves reach for the skies.
A small café and store means you’ll enjoy your coffee and ice-cream away from the hustle and bustle, before deciding which grassy or sandy spot to lay claim to for the day. If it wasn’t for the panoramic view of the Gold Coast skyline to the south, you’d think you were worlds away from the city.
Broadbeach
A pathway to ocean heaven, in Broadbeach
A little bit more family-orientated and a whole lot classier than Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach adds a dash of elegance to a Gold Coast ‘day at the beach’. Choose to make use of quiet pathways leading to wide stretches of sand, or hang out in the hub of all the action, at Kurrawa Park.
With a year-long calendar of events, you’re likely to catch markets, an open-air cinema and concerts along the foreshore. Just across the road, there’s some of the Gold Coast’s best restaurants with designer boutiques, bookstores, bars and pubs scattered in between.
If you’re visiting with the little ones, you’ll find Pratten Park at the southern end. The open space offers shade with magic playground equipment for kids, including slides, a pirate ship and a pedal powered monorail. For a look at the glitzy side of Gold Coast beaches, walk a little further south to the top of Hedges Avenue and oceanfront mansions.
Burleigh Heads
Rainforest tumbles into the surf, at Burleigh Heads
Many locals will tell you that Burleigh Heads is at the top of their list of best Gold Coast beaches, with lush Burleigh Hill overlooking the charming village. Fragrant pine trees ring with birdsong, the smell of BBQ sausages mixes with salt air and the sheltered stretch of ocean beckons with gentle, turquoise waves.
The Burleigh Heads National Park covers the headland, around which surfers catch perfect barrels. If you’re more of a land-lover, hike the walking trails through the park with dazzling views and wildlife glimpses.
In town, café culture rages among quirky gift stores, restaurants and bohemian fashion. The place to be though, is on top of Burleigh Hill at sunrise or sunset, when colours transform the view with pink, orange and deep blue highlights.
Currumbin Beach
Sunset at Currumbin Surf Club on Elephant Rock
Currumbin Beach still has the feel of a small coastal town, though the views of distant Surfers Paradise state otherwise. In terms of natural beauty, with Currumbin Creek snaking through rainforest to reach the ocean, you can’t find a better place for paddle-boarding, kayaking or splashing in the translucent water.
Along the beachfront, welcoming cafes, restaurants and boutiques add just the right amount of ‘action’ to the otherwise relaxed atmosphere. Here, people are simply strolling, surfing and swimming. That is, before dropping in for a beer at the Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club, which sits smack bang on the sand, next to Elephant Rock lookout.
Snapper Rocks
Getting up-close and personal with the waves, at Snapper Rocks
Coolangatta offers the widest strips of bright white sand on Gold Coast beaches, with Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay among the most popular. You can easily walk the coastal pathways from Kirra to Snapper Rocks, which is, arguably, one of the most famous surf destinations in the world. Home to the Quicksilver Pro each year, this is where you’ll see top surfers, especially when there’s a south-easterly swell for the best barrels. You don’t need to surf though, to fall in love with the surrounding areas. Put your walking shoes on to discover tiny Froggy Beach, lookouts with views of the entire coast and friendly locals to have a yarn with.
