Because a dose of vitamin sea is always good for you.
Because a dose of vitamin sea is always good for you.
Well now, aren’t we the lucky ones for being fantastically spoilt with endless glorious beaches here on our golden coast. Kilometre after kilometre of pristine sand awaits you around every outcrop, headland, and creek; creating the rather envious — and ever-present — predicament of what beach you might lay your towel on.
It’s the finer details, the nuances if you will, which separate the good from the great. By that we mean not just the beach itself — but the amazing places you can grab something to eat/drink from nearby! As official beach experts, we take great pleasure in outlining the finest patches of shoreline on the Gold Coast for your sun-kissed reading pleasure.
Main Beach
For all readers living north of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach is a huge drawcard when it comes to getting yourself some beach time. And there is little reason why you wouldn’t find yourself here on a perfect day with your favourite book and sunblock. This quiet and sprawling section of sand is backed by some of the Coast’s most luxurious resorts before finally coming to an end at The Spit, which offers you peeks of South Stradbroke Island. Often empty and within striking distance of most northern suburbs, this is a stellar choice for spending an hour or three.
Eat: The Seafood buffet at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is a must-try either for lunch or dinner. Open to outside guests of the resort and serving the freshest seafood straight from the trawlers.
Do: Peruse the shops at Marina Mirage, then walk to Fisherman’s Wharf (affectionately known as Fisho’s) for a sunset drink overlooking the magificent Broadwater filled with yachts in the Marina. If you’re out late, take a moonlit walk along the beach after dinner to finish off a perfect evening.
Surfers Paradise
The one and only. One of the main reasons why tourism exploded here in the latter part of the last century was indeed Surfers Paradise. A suburb that is a lot of things to a lot of people, but almost certainly the most recognisable part of our coastline for visitors. Although the busy end of town, you will always find a piece of the beach to yourself — finding a car park however is a different affair altogether (catch the tram)! The pedestrianised pathway along the beachfront is the perfect opportunity to pull out your skateboard or dust off your roller skates/blades and experience the beach, in a slightly different way, whilst being active. Regardless of the crowds, if the weather is playing ball, the beach here is one of our best.
Eat: There’s a myriad of options here, however, we suggest you head to Mos Burger (a stones-throw from the beach) to tuck into some Japanese-inspired burger goodness.
Do: We all know shopping is a type of therapy and therefore good for you. Once you’ve had your share of sun, sea, and sand why not shower off and head to Paradise Centre or Soul Boardwalk – you’ll find some of the Coast’s best retailers and sweet ice-cream shops perfect for a hot day.
Broadbeach
Further down you’ll find Broadbeach, which can be defined as being a slightly more relaxed and slower version of the vibrant Surfers Paradise stretch. For a morning walk with some incredible sunrise light, this is where you need to be at. When you’ve had enough of getting sand in all of your small places — there’s a spattering of green areas and parks with some great BBQ facilities and seating areas. Still, with its fair share of extravagant looking high rises the shadows begin to creep across the beach (depending on the time of year) around the 3pm mark. By this time, it could very well be time to grab a cocktail anyway…
Eat: A Gold Coast institution, Elk Espresso is the answer to all of your breakfast and lunch dreams. And being positioned on the corner of Oasis Shopping Centre and merely metres from the beach is nothing short of perfection in our eyes.
Do: Feeling like the midday sun is getting to you? Head inside the Oasis and you’ll be met with a tonne of shopping options, making it a tough call to go back to the beach.
Burleigh
The jewel in the crown? Quite possibly, and for good reason. Burleigh has, we think, exceeded all expectations of what a modern Gold Coast suburb should be. With its admixture of surfy/bohemian/laid back vibes and a plethora of shops and eating options, you can easily spend a whole day here and want for nothing. Lush greenery meets golden shoreline as the iconic point and National Park frame the beach at the southern end before it winds a parallel line with the Pacific Ocean towards Miami Hill in the north. Take the day off, grab your sunscreen and put your phone on silent, because this part of our coast is truly a special one.
Eat: With the same eye-watering view, Rick Shores, The Burleigh Pavilion and The Tropic are the ideal places to grab something to eat, and or drink, and remember how lucky you are to be here.
Do: There’s no arguing that the beach here is fantastic. Do as the locals do and head up Burleigh Hill as the sun begins to set and you get to savour those last parts of sunlight as it cascades towards the horizon.
Tallebudgera Creek
Controversial inclusion or not, being not technically a beach in the sense it isn’t backed by the ocean, Tallebudgera Creek beach is still one of the best places you can get some sun on your skin whilst submerging yourself in pristine water. Being a creek with shallow sand bars, the way the sunlight enters and refracts around the water always provides you with so many different variations of the colour blue! The real magic about this location is the fact you have two different sides of the creek to explore; both have their advantages for when the sun, and wind, start to move throughout the day.
Eat: Nearby Custard Canteen is the creation of husband-wife duo Ben & Ursula Watts of Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse fame. Need we say more?
Do: Take a wander down into nearby Palm Beach and treat yourself to some rooftop action either at Frida Sol or Las Palmas.
Coolangatta
Having some of the squeakiest and whitest sand along our 70km coastline, Coolangatta Beach was a dead fire inclusion on this list. Unbeknown to some people, the north-facing aspect of this beach, provides some great protection from the southerly winds – meaning no unexpected blasts of sand to the face. Much like Burleigh Headland, Greenmount adds a rustic green backdrop to the beach and acts as a great lookout so you can appreciate the nearby surfing going down at Rainbow Bay. If surfing isn’t your thing then you may well be lucky enough to catch glimpses of dolphins which are known to gracefully glide their way past on any given day.
Eat: Amble your way from the beach to Little Cooly just inside The Strand, with some much-loved pasta and pizza and their signature Sip Sessions from 3pm daily. It’d be rude not to!
Do: Take a stroll to nearby Kirra, walk to the top of the hill to truly enjoy the views of the Gold Coast from a southern perspective. Once you’ve done that, and burned enough calories, it’s time to head to Ottimo for some of the best handmade gelato this side of Italy.
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Summer is for exploring.
We’re not good with secrets. Maybe you know some of these, maybe you don’t. Here we’ve listed our top five hidden gems on the Gold Coast.
Tallebudgera Creek – Ocean Parade
Most of you will be familiar with Tallebudgera Creek, the once hidden oasis that is not so hidden anymore. However, there are some secret spots along the Creek that not many people know of (not even the locals)! I would recommend taking a car but if you’re good on your feet or love riding your bike, a short stroll along the Creek will also get you to Ocean Parade’s secret beach.
Where: If you’re on the Gold Coast Highway coming from Palm Beach take a left at Ikkina Rd and follow the road until you head onto Elanora Dr. From there take a right onto Pindari Ave (turns into Ocean Pde) and follow all the way up. From the West Burleigh Road side, head onto Tabilban St and take the second right onto Ocean Pde. Park your car at the crossing Ocean Pde/Vantage Point Dr’ and go discover this hidden gem for yourself.
Tugun Lookout – Burleigh Heads National Park
It’s no secret Burleigh Heads is one of the more popular suburbs on the Coast. From James Street offering countless breakfast options and little boutiques to Burleigh Point, it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday arvo watching the surf and having a picnic with family and friends. But there are also some ‘not-so-known’ places in Burleigh and if you are looking for some exercise go hike up Burleigh Heads National Park. Don’t take the obvious track towards Tallebudgera Beach though, take a right through the rainforest and walk up to Tugun Lookout which will take you no longer than 10 minutes, if you’re lucky you can spot Humpback Whales in winter and spring or white-bellied Sea Eagles riding the ridge updrafts. Whether it’s overcast or sunny, Tugun Lookout always offers breathtaking views over Surfers Paradise’ Skyline to the north or Coolangatta to the south.
Little Dbah
Duranbah beach or “Deebah” is the most northerly beach in NSW and located in Tweed Heads, right next to famous “Snapper Rocks” and the Captain Cook Memorial Lookout. Dbah is well-known amongst surfers and you might be lucky to spot Mick Fanning or Joel Parkinson doing their thing at their local surf break. If you’re not a big fan of surfing or you’re looking for a calm and quiet beach get away, then our third secret oasis is exactly what you’re looking for: Little Dbah beach. Situated between Duranbah beach and the mouth of the Tweed River, this spot is surprisingly peaceful with barely ever any waves, which makes it a popular destination for families with little kids. Bring your snorkelling gear and discover little Dbah’s flourishing under-water world or just sit back, relax and enjoy this untouched and uncrowded secret oasis.
Currumbin Valley Rock Pools
Away from the coast and into the green. If you’re looking for something more adventurous and exciting to do, Currumbin Rock Pools are exactly what you’re looking for. The beautiful scenic drive through Currumbin Valley is almost enough of an attraction in itself, taking you straight to the hidden natural swimming pool located just next to Currumbin Valley Primary School. The destination offers a wide variety of activities. Whether you just want to cool down and splash in the clear, blue watering hole or enjoy some family time over a BBQ at the designated picnic area, you decide!
Mt Cougal Cascades
A mere 10 minutes further down the road from Currumbin Valley Rock Pools you’ll end up at Mt Cougals Cascade, where you can walk along a 1.6km track to an old 1940’s sawmill, have a swim in the cascading waterfalls below or jump into the rock pools from one of the rope swings hanging in the trees. Toilets and a picnic area are located next to the car park.
Where: It only takes 20 minutes to get here from the M1. Just follow Currumbin Creek Rd to its end.
By Louisa von Ingelheim
World-class waves await.
Learning to surf is practically a rite of passage on the Gold Coast. With year-round warmth and world-class breaks dotted along the coastline, there’s no better place to give it a go. In honour of that, here are five local spots that both Gold Coasters and out-of-towners love to surf.
Get out there, frothers.
Kicking off with four surf breaks in one, The Superbank is a high-performance surfing mecca and home to some of the longest waves in the world. Man-made by sand dredging from the Tweed River, it offers a mix of waves for every level. The crowds demand patience here, and when the swell’s up, it’s best for beginners to sit on the sand and enjoy the show.
Snapper Rocks dishes out crisp barrels for seasoned surfers, while Rainbow Bay is ideal for beginners and longboarders with long, cruisy walls. Greenmount is more user-friendly than Snapper, but the sweep can make paddling back out challenging. Kirra itself is another consistent but crowded break with a shifting sand bottom. Bring your good vibes and you’re sure to have a whale of a time.
Where: Marine Parade and Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta
The waves that break off Burleigh Headland make up one of the Coast’s most-loved surf spots. When it’s on, it’s packed with everyone from novices to pros, plus plenty of photographers perched on the hill. Experienced surfers jump in from the rocks on the northern side of the point, while beginners can paddle out from the beach and sit wide in the smaller reforms.
Where: Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Where the creek meets the sea lies Currumbin Alley, one of the most scenic spots on the Coast and a favourite for beginners and longboarders. The bay usually serves up mellow waves, with plenty of groms in the shallows giving it a go. If you’re keen to learn but haven’t yet worked up the courage, the Alley is the perfect launchpad.
Where: Northern end of Currumbin Beach
Duranbah (or D-bah to locals) is technically in NSW, but we’ll claim it anyway. You’ll find both lefts and rights, generally suited to surfers with some experience. Even on smaller days, there’s usually something punchy and fun to play with. It’s also a great spot to sit on the sand and watch more seasoned surfers to pick up tips.
Where: Coral Street, North Tweed
Some say South Straddie is the best beach break on the Coast thanks to its A-frame peaks and swell-magnet reputation. You’ll need a boat to get there, but the reward is a peaceful stretch of surf-soaked paradise with kilometres of untouched beach.
Where: Across the bar from The Spit (Southport)
If you’re after something more relaxed, there are countless beach breaks up and down the Coast perfect for practicing the basics. Always be aware of other surfers and brush up on surf etiquette before paddling out.
And if lessons are on the cards, Hang Ten Co at Bilinga, Currumbin Alley Surf School and Surf Easy at Currumbin Alley, Kirra Point Surf School in Kirra, Go Ride A Wave at Coolangatta, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise will get you up and riding.
Words by Lisette Drew
