The 8 top beaches on the Gold Coast that are tourist-friendly and locals-approved
Visiting beaches as a tourist is always a struggle. You don’t know where to go and the establishments seem to be taking advantage of you.
The best tourist spots according to guides are also often crowded. It will sure make anyone’s day bad.
Don’t worry, we’ve been there too. We’ve all had our share of Frank Abagnale Jrs and Saul Goodmans—and many of these were beach trips!
That’s why it’s hard to see people visiting the Gold Coast fall into the same traps we’ve been in other places. There needs to be a change.
To make your trip more worthwhile, here are the best beaches on the Gold Coast, along with some important tips to remember when visiting.
1. Surfers Paradise
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Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gvPqfwycSKLitZbT9
There’s no avoiding Surfers Paradise if you’re new to the city. With its pristine sands and bustling nightlife, the beachfront alone has many views and attractions waiting to be experienced.
People can energize their bodies at several beach volleyball and jogging spots. The Esplanade is particularly popular among hikers and joggers for the cool ocean breeze blowing along the lane.
There are also nearby establishments offering watersport activities. Fan favorites include jet skis, flyboards, parasailing, and jet boats.
Pro tip:
Aside from engaging in sightseeing and water activities, Surfers Paradise has other highlights, like the SkyPoint Observation deck and The Beachfront Markets. Know more about them below.
SkyPoint Observation Deck
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Visitors can comfortably capture panoramic shots of the coastal city 230 meters high atop SkyPoint’s 360-degree Observation Deck.
The Deck features built-in binoculars to allow better sights of the sea and the far-off hinterlands. If you’re looking for a thrill, SkyPoint offers a skyscraper climbing experience to reach the open-air platform.
While walking around the observation deck, visitors can enjoy some gelatos and snacks from the nearby stalls.
Of course, if you want lunch, head a few floors down to experience SkyPoint’s fine dining services with the cityscape and beachfront views as a special treat.
Beachfront Markets
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Providing people with a cultural shopping experience since 1995, the Beachfront Markets in Surfers Paradise is a top destination for local goods, delicacies, and music.
The markets usually open in late afternoons and last a few hours before midnight. Hundreds of stalls adorn the Esplanade and sell handicrafts, memorabilia, food, and fashion wear.
Parking and entry are both free, so everyone is welcome to attend. Even dogs are accommodated as long as they remain on a leash and are well-behaved.
However, the highlight of the Beachfront Markets would be the live music from local bands.
And if you’re in the drinking age, there are nearby bars to help make your listening experience more relaxing.
2. Burleigh Beach
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Directions:
Heading 9 km south, people will be greeted with a forested view of the Eastern Pacific in Burleigh Beach.
Due to its big waves, the beach is particularly popular among surfers and watersports hobbyists. It also provides the perfect opportunity to socialize and bond with locals.
Despite the few establishments near the area, the beach makes up for it with beautiful natural sights and thriving wildlife.
Pro tip:
There are other activities to complement your beach adventure in Burleigh Beach, like enjoying an Australian-style meal or admiring the view from an observation deck. Check out insider insights below!
Burleigh Heads National Park
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The Burleigh Heads National Park is only one among the diverse natural reserves and parks scattered on the Gold Coast.
Despite being close to residential areas, the park maintains a quiet bubble away from civilization’s noise. All you will hear are the leaves’ breeze and the occasional chirps from local birds.
For picture-taking, the nearby Tumgun Lookout is a good place to start. The observation deck offers a vantage point to the ocean’s vast horizon.
Returning to the beach via the Ocean View Lookout trail, visitors can also try capturing some shots of the beach from the Jebbribillum Lookout.
The trails in the park are often visited, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost. You might even encounter some of the hikers during your journey there.
Burleigh Pavilion
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Sitting beside the Burleigh Hills, Burleigh Pavilion offers visitors a sprawling view of the Pacific to add to their dining experiences. From 11 AM to midnight, it offers fresh, Australian family-style comfort food and drinks to anyone visiting.
The Pavilion also hosts nightly music festivals with big events during the summer and holidays to welcome visitors from afar.
If crowded places aren’t your thing, the establishment offers catering and delivery services to bring delicious pizzas, burgers, seafood, and salads to your door.
3. Currumbin Beach
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Directions:
Many surfers have a special place in their hearts for Currumbin Beach–and by extension, Currumbin Alley–for its unique terrains that allow long wave rides to the creek.
Beyond its great waves, Currumbin Beach offers visitors some of the best views and establishments in the city, like the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Club and the Currumbin Rock.
Pro tip:
If surfing seems too extreme, visitors can still lounge at the beachfront where the annual SWELL Sculpture Festival is held or try paddleboarding up the Currumbin Creek.
Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Club
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With over 100 years of colorful history, the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Club has trained and saved many lives on the beach.
Anyone can be a volunteer Viking and receive special amenities in the city, including a 25% discount on food and beverage items at the Supporters Club Restaurant and Bar.
This is in addition to complete access to the Club’s on-site gym and monthly social events. Plus, you get first aid and basic surfing skills training for quick emergency response.
You can also enroll your children in the Club’s Nippers program to ensure your kids have a fun but safe time on the beach.
Currumbin Rock
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Off the north of Currumbin Beach sits a giant rock jutting out of the pristine sand like a shark’s fin stranded on the shore. That’s Currumbin Rock.
While people can’t climb the main rock, its smaller extensions provide a great place to fish for some flatheads, whiting, and sand crabs.
There is even a small inlet that visitors can swim and surfers jump on during high tides. Just be careful of jagged rocks on the path as slipping will cause a nasty cut.
4. Coolangatta Beach
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Directions:
Like Currumbin Beach, Coolangatta Beach is popular among surfers but for different reasons.
The beach has smaller waves with fewer underwater obstructions, perfect for new surfers to practice their balance and timing. This is thanks to the beach facing northside, shielding it from the strong currents of the eastern and southeastern swells.
For the same reason, divers also frequent the area to glimpse the thriving marine life underneath the clear blue waters.
After playing around the water, people can visit a few great spots and establishments to complete their trip to Coolangatta.
Pro tip:
Coolangatta Beach only has a few shades, making it particularly hot during summer. To avoid sunburn, it’s best to bring a big parasol.
You can buy great ones from Super Shade Umbrellas in Burleigh Heads or the small business stands around the beach.
Pat Fagan Park
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After tiring from the heat, visitors can relax and cool down under the breeze in Pat Fagan Park. The park can be accessed in Oceanway via stairs or through the main entrance in Marine Parade.
People can enjoy a peaceful time away from the noise under its artificial mini forest and take scenic shots of the sea in the Rainbow Bay Lookout.
If you have the budget, the observation deck can also be rented for weddings and special events.
5. Rainbow Bay
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Directions:
Just a few walks from Coolangatta Beach is Rainbow Bay with its bars and restaurants, perfect for the hungry surfers on the beach after hours of playing with the waves.
Like its western counterpart, the Rainbow Bay waves offer a great practice site for beginners, thanks to its smaller but more consistent waves.
The area is also particularly famous for its after-daylight bars and clubs where visitors can socialize with the locals while sipping delectable drinks. Best of all, the beach has multiple parking spots for easier access.
Pro tip:
Avoid visiting the beach during rainy days as the current is stronger than normal. If unavoidable, try to get close to the Lifeguard Tower as much as possible for a quick response in case of an emergency.
Rainbow Bay Surf Club Bar
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After sunset, visitors can continue the fun at Rainbow Bay Surf Club Bar as they chew down delectable snacks and beverages while socializing with folks from all over.
Enjoy looking at the waves with a cold beer in hand and retro music playing in the background.
Snapper Rocks
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With the easter and northern waves battering the rocky outcrops, Snapper Rocks makes for a good surfing spot with consistent rolling waves across the sea.
Some surfers even use the inlet pool to propel themselves into the sea, especially during huge swells when towering waves occur the most.
More than just a surfing spot, Snapper Rocks is also many fishers’ favorite hangout to snag a few local catches.
In fact, we listed Snapper Rocks as among the top fishing spots for Australian bonitos, tailors, and the elusive red snappers.
6. Tallebudgera Creek
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Directions:
Bordering Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach, Tallebudgera Creek receives the best of both worlds.
People can venture into the forested trails in the north and enjoy modern society’s comforts in the south. Of course, the same goes for the creek’s beaches.
Visitors can enjoy various water activities like jet skis, paddle boating, and wakeboarding. There’s also paddleboarding and fishing for more relaxed hobbies.
Best of all, some parts of the beach are open to dog owners to let their pets run around off-leash.
Pro tip:
While most of the creek is off-limits to pets, you can still walk your fur babies in the off-leash zone near Tallebudgera Beach.
The area can get crowded during the afternoon, so it’s best to bring your pets in the early morning for a more spacious beach and cooler temperature.
Burleigh Headland trails
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If you want to escape from the beach’s heat, Burleigh Headland trails offer a cool brisk walk along the creek and to the nearby Burleigh Heads National Park.
Travelers taking the trail will encounter various sceneries, each more beautiful and scenic than the last.
These include tropical rainforest paths, lanes passing through mangroves, and a hillside trail overlooking the ocean.
Inexperienced hikers won’t also need to worry as the trail is considerably short and maintained properly. Plus, people frequent these routes to travel from and to Burleigh Beach.
Custard Canteen
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After exploring the trails and paddling across the winding creek, try to energize the body with delectable sweets and pastries in the Custard Canteen.
Whether it’s for a quick snack or brunch, the pastry shop has a variety of baked goods and giant burgers to satisfy everyone’s cravings. These can be accompanied by locally brewed hot and iced coffees.
Customers can also pre-order the food online for easy pick-up before heading to the beach. You can browse the Canteen’s current menu here.
Most orders are completed within 10 to 15 minutes, so people won’t have to wait long before getting their orders.
7. Kirra Beach
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Directions:
Kirra Beach is considered among the quieter beaches on the Gold Coast. Its wide stretch and distance from residential areas offer an accessible retreat from the hectic city streets.
Early mornings are particularly peaceful with only occasional folks fishing to be seen across the 200-meter stretch.
Accompanied by its pristine sands and clear blue waters, it’s no wonder the beach is popular for luxury vacation hotels and stay-ins.
There are also the rolling ocean waves enveloping the shores, perfect for more experienced surfers and paddleboarders to try out new tricks without fear of colliding with someone.
Interested? Don’t fear because Kirra Beach has more to offer people willing to visit the laid-back suburban beach.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with kids, there’s a mini creek that leads into a small shallow pond in the middle of the beach.
Letting your children run around the pond guarantees they remain safe from the sea’s stronger waves while still enjoying everything the beach offers. Since it’s still connected to the sea, the water is cold and fresh.
Kirra Hill Lookout
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Unlike the other lookout points in the city, the Kirra Hill Lookout seems plain in comparison. There are no trees or notable attractions (besides a steel eagle) adorning the path to motivate visitors.
It’s just an observation deck atop the hill. However, its simplicity helps bring focus to the vast ocean below.
The low traffic in the area also helps attract visitors looking for a quiet space and a beautiful view while self-reflecting. Best of all, cars can drive up to the lookout as there’s a provided parking space near the observation deck.
As of writing, the Lookout is undergoing renovation efforts to accommodate more visitors by building more public facilities and expanding the observation area.
Gold Coast Skydive
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Want to see the entirety of the city’s beauty? Then there’s no better way to do this than skydiving. Luckily, there’s one near Kirra Beach.
For $425 per person, customers can experience the thrill and joy of skydiving with a professional with the company’s Tandem Skydive package.
If you already have the necessary skydiving licenses, jump solo from a moving plane with the Skydive and Aerobatic package for $790. Photos and videos recorded during the skydive are paid separately starting around at $130 per head.
The company also offers couples their special proposal package to help ask for that big “Yes” after an adrenaline-pumping jump. It’s like the suspension bridge challenge but with parachutes and at a higher altitude.
Kirra Reef
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Of course, a trip to Kirra Beach wouldn’t be complete without visiting the famous Kirra Reef.
With schools of fish adorning every corner of the coral-covered outcrop, it’s no wonder the reef formation made it into our list of the city’s best diving spots.
The dive spot is particularly beginner-friendly with the reef situated in shallow waters and minimal sea currents. Divers can try peeking at the tiny crevices and alcoves in the reef formation to capture pictures of resting tropical fish, sharks, and crustaceans.
8. Mermaid Beach
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Directions:
In contrast to Surfers Paradise’s bustling markets, the neighboring Mermaid Beach offers visitors a moment to relax and enjoy the sunset by the sea in peace.
With residential areas surrounding the beach, Mermaid Beach receives fewer tourists. Families will prefer the space here to let their children run and swim in the beach’s shallow waters.
Of course, Mermaid Beach offers more than a relaxing experience. There might only be a few, but the establishments surrounding the beach are sure to delight visitors.
From fresh buns for the hungry to artistic shops that showcase Gold Coast culture, Mermaid Beach has no shortage of attractions for people to discover.
Pro tip:
There are only a few parking spaces near Mermaid Beach. To avoid walking long distances, make sure to secure a spot in the nearby St Johns Carpark in the morning or at noon.
People usually visit the suburbs and the beach in the late afternoon, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
Bam Bam Bakehouse
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After tiring yourself out on the beach, Bam Bam Bakehouse provides a good retreat from the heat and the energy to jump back with its sweet bite-sized treats.
Its croissants and coffee menu are particularly popular among locals due to its variety, offering everyone a delectable snack regardless of their sweet tolerance.
It’s no surprise that the bakehouse is often full and its most popular goods sold out before 3:00 PM. Waiting lines also take more than 20 minutes during these peak hours.
Fortunately, the bakehouse accepts online pre-orders and delivery requests to reduce waiting lines. You can see more of their online menu here.
Bonita Bonita
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If you want to add some spice to your beachgoing experience, Bonita Bonita in Mermaid Beach is the right place for you. The Mexican-inspired restaurant bar offers a modern twist to traditional Central American dishes to cater to the Australian tastebuds.
Chicken tacos and quesadillas are particularly popular among children for their sweet and salty tastes.
On the other hand, adults can chow down on burrito bowls and meaty quesadillas. The steak + prawn combo is a fan favorite for those who need a lot of protein.
Vegans won’t be out of place with cauliflower tacos and non-dairy cheese quesadillas.
After a heavy meal, wash it with some locally brewed tequilas and mezcal. Customers can rest assured that all alcoholic drinks pack the same taste and punch as those sold in Mexico, so drink moderately.
If you prefer more privacy, Bonita Bonita can lease the whole bar for functions and special events.
The Raspberry Room
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There’s no better way to commemorate your time in Mermaid Beach permanently than getting a tattoo there. And there’s no better tattoo shop on the beach than The Raspberry Room.
Situated across the Gold Coast Highway, The Raspberry Room reflects the fashionable atmosphere in Mermaid Beach with its fine-line tattoos.
Customers can request intricate and detailed compositions as its tattoo artists boast years of industry experience. Each artist specializes in niche fine-line tattoo styles, including micro realism, symmetrical designs, and “cottage-esque” fashion.
Visitors won’t have a shortage of options in ways they want to express themselves.