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Gold Coast's Top 5 Beaches

By:
Ben Hall
 

With 53 kilometres of pristine beaches and waterways, Australia’s Gold Coast is an iconic holiday destination for all types of hedonistic holiday makers including those looking for a romantic getaway surrounded by natural beauty. There is more to the Gold Coast than its many beaches but they still remain a key drawcard and are also a popular weekend getaway for Australian visitors. We’ve picked our top five beaches on the Gold Coast, and here they are, in no particular order, from south to north.

Snapper Rocks/Greenmount (Coolangatta)

This is without doubt the Gold Coast’s most popular surf beaches and each year Snapper Rocks hosts the Quiksilver Pro as part of the professional World Surf League which features the best boardriders in the world. It’s a consistent wave for all types of boards and on its day provides some of the best barrel-riding in Australia. Snapper is also the starting point for what’s called the ‘Super Bank’, which is a man made break which runs from Snappper all the way through to Greenmount and Coolangatta.

Greenmount itself is tucked into the southern end of Coolangatta and can provide some protection from the large surf and southerly winds and is a favourite with families staying in the area. The Greenmount Surf Club is perched right on the beach with stunning views down Coolangatta and this friendly joint is a real favourite with both locals and visitors.

Currumbin

One of the prettiest beach spots on the Gold Coast, Currumbin is a beautiful beachfront community and a photographer’s paradise. Elephant Rock is the rock formation on a small headland which marks a world famous point break called The Alley. On one side of this is Currumbin Creek with protected beaches and pristine swimming beaches and on the other side is the open surf break and Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club. Fishing enthusiasts also flock to the area to try and land flathead and bream off the rock wall near Elephant Rock or taylor off the beach. 

There’s a couple of cafes a short walk along the surf beach on Pacific Parade and the world famous Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is also a stone’s throw from the beaches. During summer school holidays, and some weekends, be aware it can be tricky getting a car park as this place is so popular.

Burleigh Heads 

Hugely popular with surfers because of its famous right hand point break, Burleigh Heads (just ‘Burleigh’ to the locals) also offers some protected spots for swimmers if the water is a bit choppy from the wind or surging because of a big swell. It sits roughly halfway between Coolangatta in the south and Surfers Paradise in the north and even if you’re a bit of a landlubber and like to keep your feet dry, there’s enough to do around here to keep you occupied for most of the day. 

The Burleigh foreshore rises up a headland and provides spectacular views of the northern Gold Coast overlooking the surf break with plenty of spaces to hold a barbecue or picnic under the shade of the many Norfolk pines. The foreshore also leads into the Burleigh Heads National Park which wraps around the headland with walking trails that lead to Tallebudgera Creek on the other side of Burleigh. Tallebudgera Creek also has several secluded swimming beaches which are protected from the surf, including a patrolled area on the south side of the waterway.  In the CBD of Burleigh itself there are scores of cafes, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets. 

Surfers Paradise

It’s the “city by the sea” which is synonymous with the Gold Coast as its biggest metro area, and this is where you’ll feel energy and enthusiasm combined with a genuine laid-back beach vibe. Surfers Paradise was voted the second best beach in Australia in the 2017 TripAdvisor Awards, ahead of the world famous Whitehaven Beach (third), and that’s because of its fabulous strip of pure white sand, consistent surf, and a new foreshore that’s a hit with walkers, joggers, bladers, cyclists, skateboarders and those just enjoying a gentle stroll.

The foreshore also hosts the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 4pm and 8pm and throughout the year there are free artistic and cultural community events which are set against the stunning surf backdrop. Within the precinct there is literally hundreds of cafes, bars, restaurants, and shopping to make this an all-round compact beach destination.

Main Beach

Just north of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach was so-named as it was the first major surf beach town on the Gold Coast because it was connected to the commercial centre of Southport. It’s an open beach break with okay waves which is patrolled year round. Main Beach is set against a large shady park and the new modern Southport Surf Club while right next door is the old bathing pavilion built in 1936, Pavilion 34, which has been renovated and restored into a casual beach cafe which does old favourites like fish and chips, burgers and wraps. The original change areas are still here and they also feature retro photos from back in the day.

Away from the beach and a short walk away is the famous Tedder Avenue which is a strip of trendy cafes and restaurants along with bars and boutique shops. Like all of these beaches, Main Beach is a holiday destination which is perfect for those looking for a romantic getaway or weekend getaway.

 

This article has been updated.....to read the latest version click here. 

 

Surfers Paradise Lifestyle 01:34

“Surfers Paradise to me means fun and freedom” - Lou McGregor, a Surfers Paradise mum and local business woman. She knows how to make the most out of the precinct’s great mix of cafes, restaurants, bars, attractions, events, shopping, the beach and much more. Find out more: www.destinationgoldcoast/surfers-paradise

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