
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Gold Coast suburb guide
Hugging a dazzling stretch of sand backed by lush hinterland, Australia’s famous Gold Coast offers a unique neighbourhood base for every type of visitor.
By Natasha Dragun
Packed your swimsuit? The Gold Coast’s 57-kilometre (37-mile) shoreline offers some of Australia’s best waves for surfing as well as calm coves perfect for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, all lined with buzzy shopping and dining precincts. This south-east Queensland city also has more than 860 kilometres (530 miles) of navigable tidal canals and rivers, some replete with beaches, and others ideal for exploring by boat. Thirty minutes inland, you’ll land in ancient hinterland rainforest, a place where wellness retreats and wineries sit side by side. Here are the key areas to explore while you’re here.
Central Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland © Matt Harvey/Tourism and Events Queensland
Top tip
Pick up Australian designer clothing at Pacific Fair mall, which has an entire precinct dedicated to local creatives.
Where: Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach
In the lively Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach neighbourhoods, skyscrapers overlook the sand, creating a dramatic skyline. The beach holiday capital of the coast, this area is particularly well-known for its alfresco bars and restaurants where you can make the most of the city’s famous sunshine. Join in with the active locals on a walk (or jog) through large, waterside parks and along beachfront promenades dotted with street art and trendy cafés. If you’re staying in this neighbourhood, don’t forget to pack your favourite outfit for a night on the town.
Show moreNorthern beaches

Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Queensland © Destination Gold Coast
Where: Southport, Main Beach
Occupying a scenic spit that separates the ocean from the Gold Coast Broadwater lagoon, north of Surfers Paradise, the glamorous Main Beach neighbourhood is adorned with exclusive designer hotels, a yacht-studded marina, and malls with designer boutiques aplenty – the perfect base for an indulgent holiday. Combined with increasingly hip Southport, on the western shores of Broadwater (linked by road), it’s also your family’s best base for the Coast’s iconic theme parks, just to the north.
Show moreBurleigh area

North Burleigh, Gold Coast, Queensland © Nathan Prostamo/Tourism and Events Queensland
Did you know?
Just south of the Queensland border is the food-focused New South Wales Tweed region – a popular stop for many Gold Coast visitors.
Where: Miami, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach
The neighbouring suburbs of Miami, Burleigh and Palm Beach exude laid-back seaside living, replete with hip bars, boutiques and breweries, many of which have views of the Surfers Paradise skyline to the north. Burleigh’s headland also has deep spiritual significance to its traditional Aboriginal owners, the Yugambeh people, who run the excellent Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre at its base.
Show moreSouthern beaches

Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Queensland © Matt Harvey/Tourism and Events Queensland
Where: Coolangatta, Currumbin
This is the Gold Coast’s (and Queensland’s) south-easternmost point, a place where crashing waves meet powdery beaches. Most visitors come to these seaside suburbs to surf or laze on the sand, with the gleaming towers of Surfers Paradise – 30 kilometres (19 miles) to the north – proving a great photo backdrop at sunset. The region’s other big draw is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can get up close to all manner of native animals.
Show moreRead next
Top things to do on the Gold Coast with kids
Gold Coast hinterland

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Where: Lamington National Park, Mt Tamborine, Tallebudgera Valley, Springbrook National Park, Numinbah Valley
You only need to drive 30 minutes from the beach to reach the verdant string of neighbourhoods known as the Gold Coast hinterland, home to a staggering 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest. Wild valleys, waterfalls and mountain peaks characterise the region, with forward-thinking culinary offerings (distilleries and wineries included) set among walking trails and wellness resorts.
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