Gold Coast Beaches
Whether it’s for a stroll at sunset, beach fishing at dusk, a leisurely swim, an adventure-packed scuba dive or even if it’s to take on the swell with your board, the Gold Coast’s numerous beaches are famous for their clean, warm (23 degrees C in Summer) blue waters, golden sand and never-ending sunshine. The most popular of the 21 patrolled beaches on the Gold Coast include Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, and Miami & Nobby Beach.
Main Beach
Main Beach gets its name from the fact that it was the main surf beach for the town of Southport which was the earliest surveyed town in the immediate area. Its located on the eastern side of the Nerang River estuary (The Broadwater) and is bounded to the north by The Spit and by a narrow isthmus (Narrowneck) extending to Surfers Paradise in the south.
Either walk the track from Surfers Paradise or ride your bike to this popular beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Stop in and grab a snack at Main Beach’s historic bathing pavilion, or drop into the surf lifesaving club and beach snack bar where you can enjoy light refreshments or, if you’re after something to really tempt the taste buds, pull into one of the excellent street style alfresco cafes.
View the surf from the carpark or grab your fishing rod and head on down to the sand pumping jetty or hire one of the many varieties of water equipment available, such as surfboards, wakeboards or bodyboards.
Surfers Paradise
Once known as Elston, Surfers Paradise had a name change in the 1920s. Even though Surfers Paradise is a busy beach, the hum of activity doesn’t take any of its amazing natural beauty away. This famous stretch of the ocean is a perfect swimming beach where you can casually join others in a game of social volleyball on the sand or if you’d prefer, there’s plenty of room for you to take out your favourite gun surfboard and have a slash in the waves.
Nearby, cafes and shopping areas are just a short walk away and every Friday night the beachfront markets operate where you can pick up that special memory from your special trip away!
Broadbeach
Broadbeach was named in 1934 when a new subdivision was surveyed for the area. There are some beautiful parks along the foreshore of this long stretch of beach. The parks are well equipped with sheltered picnic areas, ample BBQ’s and great playgrounds for the kids.
The surfing is consistent at Broadbeach, albeit small at times. If there’s little surf around on the coast, you can generally pick up clean left and right-handers along this stretch of ocean, or take a walk along the ocean paths and enjoy the beach markets in Kurrawa Park or nearby trendy shops.
Mermaid Beach
Mermaid Beach was named in 1946 after approval from the Queensland minister for land. Situated south of the town centre is Mermaid Beach, being somewhat quieter than Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach makes this beach’s tranquil surroundings seem endless. With the small swell, sheltered picnic areas, bike tracks and children’s playground you could say this is the perfect family beach!
Miami & Nobby Beach
Broadbeach was named in 1934 when a new subdivision was surveyed for the area. There are some beautiful parks along the foreshore of this long stretch of beach. The parks are well equipped with sheltered picnic areas, ample BBQs and great playgrounds for the kids.
Nobby Beach is a quiet beach for the family to relax. Take a stroll and view the magnificent sunrise. Miami has a peaceful and relaxing beachfront as well as good BBQ and picnic areas. If you’re looking for some action, you can take a leisurely stroll up to the clifftop and take in the breathtaking views up and down the coast.
Currumbin Beach / Bilinga Beach / Tugun Beach
Currumbin, Tugun and Bilinga Beaches are situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast. The area is popular with families who are looking for somewhere away from all the action of some of their northern neighbours.
There are surf clubs at Currumbin, Tugun & Bilinga and all three beaches are patrolled. Currumbin Beach has some special rock pools and the surf is small enough for leisurely swimming.
Kirra Beach
Kirra Point is the Gold Coast’s most famous board riding beach. Experienced surfers will find challenging waves and beginners will enjoy the smaller waves that break in closer to the shore. Kirra is a very popular surf break and it works best in solid east and northeast swells during the cyclone season, although you can get good waves throughout the year.
Coolangatta & Greenmount Beach
Greenmount Beach (pictured here) and Rainbow Bay are the Gold Coast’s only North facing beaches providing sheltered conditions for swimming. A walk around the point to Snapper Rocks improves your chances of seeing the whales on their annual migration throughout the cooler parts of the year.
A note about DOGS on Gold Coast beaches you can walk your dog on most Gold Coast Beaches but to be sure, please check the signage before you go onto the beach and be sure to follow these simple rules.
- Keep your dog on a leash and remember that dogs aren’t permitted within 200 metres of flagged areas. You may be issued a $150 on the spot fine if you don’t comply.
- Dogs are permitted to swim off-leash but the owner must immediately leash the dog once it leaves the water.
- You must clean up after your dog. A $75 on the spot fine applies when you fail to remove your dog’s defecation.
For more information about dogs on beaches, please visit the Gold Coast City Council Website.
Related Links:
- Gold Coast Towns – Regional information about the main towns situated on the Gold Coast as well as information on the Gold Coast hinterland.
- Gold Coast Fishing – A guide to fishing on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Includes information on good places to fish both on the coast and in the hinterland.
- Gold Coast Things To Do – A user-friendly guide to theme parks including Dreamworld and Movieworld as well as tours, activities and other things to do on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
- Gold Coast Accommodation – A comprehensive guide to accommodation on Australia’s Gold Coast including hotels, motels, resorts, self-contained apartments and holiday units.
