Corona Open Gold Coast

The pumping beach breaks on the southern Gold Coast make a fitting backdrop to the Corona Open Gold Coast, marking the opening of the men’s and women’s world championship tours. Boasting a massive prize purse, the event sets up shop at Snapper Rocks, renowned for its iconic ‘super-bank’, promising world-class waves and flawless right-hand barrels. Expect big names such as Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Matt Wilkinson and Stephanie Gilmore to carve it up.

Fast facts

• Where: Coolangatta, Gold Coast
• When: Cancelled for 2021
• Price: Free

How to get there

Gold Coast Airport is located on the edge of Coolangatta, an easy seven-minute drive to the town centre. If you are staying in Surfer’s Paradise or Broadbeach, Coolangatta is just under a 40-minute drive south. If you are flying in to Brisbane Airport, you can pick up a hire car from the airport or easily catch the Brisbane Airtrain to Varsity Lakes and change over to a taxi or bus into Coolangatta. It’s approximately a two-hour drive from Brisbane to Coolangatta. 

Things to do at the Corona Open Gold Coast

Be a spectator down at Snapper Rocks

Watch local and international surfing stars ride the waves at the world’s best sandbar. The Gold Coast's Snapper Rocks is decked out in stadium-style seating with locals and visiting spectators sprawled across the sandy beaches, all in awe of surfing champions battling it out in the surf. The first day will be the trials, then the event kicks off with a round of heats before the competition finals.

Rub shoulders with surfing pros

Spending time down at Snapper Rocks and around the town of Coolangatta, you are sure to find yourself an opportunity to meet and greet the surfing pros. Grab an autograph from your favourite surfers and give them a high-five as they run onto the shore after an epic surfing display. Past winners include the likes of Matt Wilkinson, Stephanie Gilmore, Gabriel Medina and Lakey Peterson.

Check out the party scene

Get amongst the festival vibes and party atmosphere down on the beach and at the nearby pubs like the Komune Beach Club, Coolangatta Hotel and Coolangatta Sands, or head further north to the pumping nightlife of Surfer’s Paradise. There will be industry events, parties and entertainment suitable for adults and families and you can keep up to date with this year’s events here.

Discover the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is famous for its beaches, but alongside the golden stretches of sand you'll find theme parks, breweries, day spas and golf courses. Take the whole family to amusement parks like Wet 'n' Wild and Warner Bros Movie World, or make it an adults-only affair with a trip to Burleigh Brewing Co. After you've explored all the Gold Coast has to offer, set off on a journey up the coast along the Great Sunshine Way - it's as beautiful as it sounds.