Surfers Paradise

Energetic, enthusiastic, electric, eclectic! These are just some of the words that sum up scene and vibe on Surfers Paradise. A favourite icon amongst visitors, Surfers has always been an entertainment playground famous for its world-class nightlife venues, international events and pumping atmosphere. The new foreshore is bustling throughout the day with walkers, cyclists and skateboarders taking advantage of this beachfront boulevard vista overlooking the surf and sand. If it is your first time on the Coast, plan to spend some time in Surfers to see the most vibrant of Gold Coast.

Coolangatta

Once you’ve hit Coolangatta, you’re at the end of Queensland’s Gold Coast as we know it. Visitors flock here for a change of pace to their holiday. From here, you can look back towards the Surfers Paradise skyline in the distance and the entire coastline and feel, well, a little smug in the knowledge you’ve slowed down a bit. 

Renowned for its spectacular surf the surf, particularly off the northern corner of Coolangatta Beach, the headland around Greenmount, Snapper Rocks into the southern corner of Rainbow Bay and of course, the world-class surf break of Duranbah. 

A lovely walking trail wraps around Greenmount Hill connecting Greenmount Beach to Rainbow Bay from which you can head up the hill to the exotically named Point Danger and plant one foot in Queensland and another in New South Wales at this lookout which is also a great place for whale watching (June – Oct)

Must do:

- Head to Point Danger where you can brag that you have set one foot in Queensland and another in New South Wales

- Go Shopping at The Strand where you get a dynamic mix of fashion, surfwear, supermarkets, gifts and homewares

- Catch world class acts at THE QUIKSILVER AND ROXY PRO GOLD COAST surf competition where you Witness the most progressive surfing in the world on the best right-hand point breaks in the world only a few feet away from the sand. 

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads – expect a more laidback and chill crowd with many dining options that offers stunning coastal view

Burleigh Heads, or simply Burleigh to locals is a picturesque punctuation mark along the Gold Coast and most definitely somewhere to pause.

This beach in the Burleigh area of Queensland is a little more laidback than the crowded party beaches and offers beautiful views of the Gold Coast skyline. With patrolled beaches, lush parkland and several barbecue areas, Burleigh Head is a perfect beach for groups of friends who are looking to get away from the tourist crowd and do their own thang.

Burleigh provides a pleasant beach atmosphere that is protected by the point to the south and offers one of the best all-round swimming, bodyboarding and surfing beaches on the Gold Coast, which is also reflected in the fact that the Quicksilver Pro professional surfing contest is often held at Burleigh Heads when the conditions are not suitable at other alternatives such as Kirra.

The Burleigh foreshore is home to towering fragrant pine trees characteristic of the coast and in this parkland there are plenty of places in which to picnic or barbecue. This is also an ideal spot for regular art and craft markets, where you haggle and forage along the foreshore with the ocean shouting encouragement in the background. Absolute oceanfront dining exists here where you’ll swear the fish on your plate has jumped straight out of the water, and there’s a burgeoning funky café culture in these parts. New designers are also starting to pepper the shopping areas and an amble along here won’t disappoint.

HANG OUT AT THE MARKETS

Be spoilt for choice on the Gold Coast for markets. There are so many craft, clothing, farmers markets, specialist markets and much more, you could potentially spend every weekend going to a different one! And they are all free to attend, and quite often there are free samples on offer or bargains.

Favourites include:

Miami Marketta – Every Friday and Saturday it comes alive with street food, live music, boutique wine and craft beer.

The Village Markets – every 1st & 3rd Sunday at Burleigh Heads State School. The original boutique fashion and lifestyle market plus live local music and food from around the world thanks to the lineup of food trucks.

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets – every Wednesday, Friday & Sunday nights along the beach Esplanade at Surfers. You can find over 100 stalls here

Broadbeach

Broadbeach or “Broadie” to locals, is located south of Surfers Paradise.

The area, as may be guessed from its name, is also home to a long, clean stretch of beach that is easily accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists and is bordered by several large parks that make for great picnic areas.

It is a precinct full of cafes, trendy restaurants, retailers and is a popular hangout for the locals.

You could start in the surf, with its beautiful beaches, framed by lazy parks home to weekend markets and weekday yoga classes. 

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