The Gold Coast in Australia

April 2021: The sun-drenched beaches of the Gold Coast in Australia are one of this country’s most sensational drawcards.
The Gold Coast is situated on Australia’s east coast in the state of Queensland. Its gleaming, towering skyline is nestled beside one of the most beautiful shorelines on the planet.

Popular with holidaymakers from Australia and abroad, the Gold Coast is perfect for a relaxing beachside getaway or active sightseeing.
It’s the Gold Coast’s beaches that create such amazing memories for tourists. The pristine waters and clean sands offer experiences like picturesque waterside walks and superb surf breaks.
There’s also a vibrant nightlife scene.
The Gold Coast in Australia is one of the country’s biggest assets and reflects the outdoor lifestyle enjoyed by locals.

Gold Coast sporting holidays

Sports fans may wish to plan a holiday around one of the world-class sporting events staged at the Gold Coast. Tickets are available for events like Australian Open tennis, rugby league, cricket, golf, horse racing and Formula 1. It’s also worth looking out for the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships at the Gold Coast. It’s a gathering of world-class quality athletes on the sand in a pitched battle of the Aussie surf clubs that’s almost on a par with the Commonwealth Games. As well, there’s also wall to wall action to be found at Australia’s major surfing events.
There are plenty of places to stay in the Gold Coast area and plenty of things to do too. If you’ve never visited before, you’re in for a real treat.

Gold Coast Beaches

The ocean is one of the biggest drawcards for the Gold Coast. Visitors may enjoy a swim between the red and yellow flags that are faithfully guarded by trained surf lifesavers. These local surf lifesavers are total legends who go out of their way to keep the beaches safe for everyone.
Australia’s surf lifesavers are always training and competing so they are in tip-top condition to keep people safe in the surf and on the sand. Visitors and locals alike are advised to swim between the flags to keep safe.
If you enjoy a cracking day at the beach in pristine waters and dancing across clean sands – The Gold Coast!
The Gold Coast has such a variety of beaches and it’s your choice of family-friendly swimming beaches and cafes. There are also magic pieces of coastline where the surf is up and the all-day breakfast is easy to find.
From the soft powdery sands to the rocky shores, you will find it all on the Gold Coast shoreline.
If you are more of a beach spectator you can spend your time with a perfect water view without leaving your resort!

• 

Bilinga Beach – Swim at the surf club (257 Golden Four Drive) which is patrolled weekends (8am to 5pm). Bilinga Beach is slightly more protected and is, therefore, more of a swimming beach. This stretch of coastline is also registered as part of the World Surfing Reserve. Facilities include public barbecues, restrooms, wheelchair access and platforms. Visitors are advised to swim between the flags. Additional guidance is available from City of Gold Coast. Coffee shops near Bilinga Beach include Mervyn Roys Cafe – 169 Golden Four Drive Bilinga (trading 6am to 4pm, closed Tuesdays).

Burleigh Heads – This is a beach for most occasions. There are yellow and red flags to indicate where the conditions are suitable for swimming. You will find a lifeguard tower at the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club near Mowbray Park. The Surf Life Saving Club has high-quality amenities including a super restaurant with a sterling wine list. There’s a section of the beach near the headland that forms part of the World Surfing Reserve. If walking early in the day there’s good coffee at the Burleigh Heads Kiosk which has an extensive menu. Burleigh Heads Kiosk – 55 Goodwin Terrace Burleigh (trading from 5.30am daily).

Coolangatta – The calm, sheltered waters of Coolangatta Beach have been making this spot a favourite with swimmers for many years. This beach has all the modern conveniences including public barbeques, covered shelters and seating and beach showers. In Australia, it’s always safe to swim wherever one can see the red and yellow flags. A lifeguard tower is situated on Coolangatta Beach at Marine Parade and Dutton Street. This beach is also registered as part of the World Surfing Reserve and there are reports it’s a learners’ spot for those wanting to try a slice of the surfing life. For refreshments why not try the renowned Coolangatta Surf Club – Corner Dutton Street and Marine Parade Coolangatta (trading from 11am weekdays and 8am weekends).

Currumbin Beach – This beach is popular with swimmers and is equipped with facilities including public barbecues, tables with seating and shade structures, beach showers and restrooms. This is a popular swimming beach that has a patrolled lifeguard tower. Australia’s beaches are picturesque and please believe me when I write that one must always be extremely careful in the ocean. The good advice is to always swim between the red and yellow flags at Currumbin’s lifeguard tower which is located near Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club at 741 Pacific Parade. This is the safest place for visitors to swim as this section of the beach is patrolled from 8am to 5pm daily. There’s a cracking menu at the Surf Club and it’s highly recommended. The Beach Shack is serving all-day breakfast and lunch from 11am. The Beach Shack – 818 Pacific Parade Currumbin (trading 6.15am – 4pm daily).

Main Beach – This beach is one of the main aquatic drawcards for Southport on the Gold Coast’s north side. Picturesque stands of Norfolk pines in Hollindale Park run right up to the beachfront. Features include dog-friendly walkways, clean white sands and on a good day the beach has calm, family-friendly waters. There’s an open playground with shade sails, benches and plenty of room to run around located just south of the historic Southport Surf Lifesaving Club and Main Beach Pavilion. As one might reasonably expect, this beach features restrooms and beach showers where the sand may be rinsed off after a dip in the briny. Food and drinks are available almost on the sand at the Surf Lifesaving Club and Main Beach Pavilion – MacArthur Parade Main Beach (trading variously from 6am – 8.30pm daily).

Mermaid Beach – In 1823 the British explorer John Oxley conducted an expedition along the Brisbane and Tweed Rivers aboard a cutter called the HMS Mermaid. Today there is a stretch of Gold Coast beach that bears witness to the vessel deployed for that expedition. At Mermaid Beach it is safe to swim between the red and yellow flags near the life guard’s tower at Montana Avenue and 172 Hedges Avenue. This tower is patrolled every day between 8am and 5pm to ensure people are kept safe in and out of the water. The general beach facilities include public barbecues and restrooms. Why not try the Surf Club for lunch or dinner? If you’re swimming early on the weekend the club is serving breakfast from 8am. For a slightly different speed stroll and out of this world coffee, stroll to Cafe on Hedges – 3 Montana Road Mermaid Beach (trading 7am – 3pm daily).

Surfers Paradise Beach – This is one of the busiest and most picturesque beaches on the planet with more than 3 million visitors each year. Visitors and locals alike are drawn to the vast tracts of clean sands and sparkling waters. These natural wonders of the Gold Coast are set against a gleaming city skyline. You won’t see anything else like it anywhere else. Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets Fridays and Saturdays 4pm – 9pm.

• 

Gold Coast Beaches – Surfing & Training Sessions
The Gold Coast has some of the best wave breaks in Australia. Tourists in this area can take advantage of a diverse range of gorgeous surf surroundings for surfing education, surfing training sessions for beginners and intermediate surfers, surfing competitions and professional surfing events.

The Gold Coast – Fishing
The Gold Coast has the perfect waters to sit back and relax while enjoying a fishing experience like no other in the world.
With hundreds of banks, reefs, skippers and places to fish around the Gold Coast area, there is something for everyone.
For those who enjoy targeting big game fish such as tuna, kingfish or even dolphin fish then a trip to the Gold Coast is a must.
You can take your catch home with you after enjoying the fresh air on one of the many fishing charters that take place daily throughout the region.

Gold Coast Beaches – Boating and Water Sports
Boating is bigger than Texas on the Gold Coast in Australia. There are many boat clubs scattered around the coast where you can moor your boat or hire a jet ski. Some people live for the chance to hire a motorised houseboat and enjoy a holiday while discovering quiet, calm waterways.
You can also book day trips on your choice of luxurious pleasure craft and enjoy premium five-star dining on the water while taking in the magic scenery. Marina Mirage is a fantastic place to view an amazing array of watercraft in a luxurious and comfortable setting. If you love luxury boats, relaxed, waterside dining and a Sunday seafood lunch then we recommend Glass Dining and Lounge Bar at Marina Mirage. The dine-in menus are contemporary works of art featuring premium produce delivered in creative, mouthwatering dishes like Grilled Market Fish with Tom Kha, Coconut Rice, Pickled Veg and Crispy Shallots. As you might expect, seafood is one of the star ingredients on this menu including Crispy Skinned Salmon with Green Beans, Confit Tomato, Anchovy, Egg and Sauce Vierge. There’s plenty on offer for those who are after something different and delicious with a special menu for vegan diners. Boaties will just love the Glass Dining boat catering menu with platters designed for 4 to 5 guests.
If you are a water baby and enjoy a variety of water sports then the Gold Coast is for you. We recommend safety first at all times including on the water. Please remember the Gold Coast waterways are far from tame, which is why we only recommend swimming between the red and yellow safety flags on patrolled beaches. Glass Dining and Lounge Bar. Lunch and dinner seven days, please phone the restaurant to book tables and catering. At Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive Main Beach. Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast – Hinterland
The Gold Coast’s Hinterland is a tropical wonder that offers a stunning contrast to its famous coastline. Rafting, abseiling and climbing provide excellent opportunities for those seeking thrilling adventure.
The breathtaking area surrounding the Gold Coast also provides excellent fishing and picture-perfect scenery for anyone who wishes to enjoy a delightful escape from the city lifestyle.

Gold Coast Casino
The Gold Coast, Queensland is the perfect destination for casino fans or those who simply wish to chill out at one of the world’s best casinos. The casino can be found on Broadbeach Island, one of the more popular Gold Coast holiday destinations.
There are plenty of activities to take part in at the casino such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Poker tables for high stakes gamblers and you can have a go on the slot machines or try out a few card games in one of the many poker rooms.
The Star Gold Coast offers award-winning dining with a selection of amazing restaurants and menus to suit every mood and time of day.
Whether you’re looking to hit it big at the tables or simply just enjoy everything that a casino has to offer, there is sure to be an experience to please your every need.
A day at The Star Gold Coast is on the must-do list of many Queensland visitors.

Gold Coast Wildlife
The Gold Coast in Australia offers great opportunities for visits with the local wildlife.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place to visit for a family day out, and it’s also one of the largest wildlife refuges in Australia. If you time your visit correctly you can help feed wild flocks of rainbow lorikeets. It’s one of the most amazing wildlife encounters because the birds land on your feeding dish – or you! – while they enjoy a tasty, safe snack supplied by the good folks at the sanctuary. As well, there are some superb opportunities to have your photo taken with a koala or feed an Aussie possum! Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is most definitely worth it. To plan your visit you can check out the website for times and details.

Theme Parks in the Gold Coast

Follow the link for our 2021 review of theme parks in the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast is a great place to visit and make some really great memories. You’ll enjoy serious bragging rights for many many many years after enjoying the Gold Coast magic. The Gold Coast in a word? Wow!

Book online or contact tourist information centres or your local travel agent.

Copyright Nicely Occupied all rights reserved.