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Gold Coast Beach Trips

Updated: May 20, 2020

Think Gold Coast and you immediately picture long strips of sublime sunny coastline, beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal clear water. The perfect swimming spots, famous surf breaks, iconic pavilions and picturesque parks give the Gold Coast its irresistible allure. Delve a little deeper and you’ll discover the best-kept secrets happily shared by larrikin locals and friendly lifeguards that make each beach an absolute gem and a must-do experience.

Southern Beaches

Marking their magic, the Gold Coast’s north-facing southern beaches were recognised in 2016 as a World Surfing Reserve - a special 16-kilometre stretch of protected coastline extending from spectacular Snapper Rocks to iconic Kirra Beach. The Reserve is one of only eight such World Surfing Reserves in the world.

Rainbow Bay

Beautiful, laid-back Rainbow Bay is popular with families and swimmers, with a shallow sand-banked pool

Greenmount Point

Greenmount Point offers great photo opportunities, with spectacular panoramic views over

Coolangatta Beach

Iconic Coolangatta Beach or ‘Cooly’ has been a long-time holiday favourite on the southern Gold Coast

Kirra Beach

Often referred to as Australia’s 'spiritual home of surfing', Kirra is one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surfing spots

Tugun Beach

Tugun Beach is a long but relatively protected southern Gold Coast beach that exudes laid-back, old school charm

Currumbin Beach

Currumbin Beach is one of the jewels in the Gold Coast’s crown, popular with swimmers, surfers and families

Palm Beach

The Gold Coast’s Palm Beach, or Palmy as the locals call it, is a spectacular long wide white sand beach

Tallebudgera Beach

Tallebudgera Beach is undisputed as one of the most spectacularly scenic places on the Gold Coast with

Central Beaches

Some of the Gold Coast's best beaches are located an easy one-hour drive from Brisbane, including Burleigh Beach and Broadbeach, which attract visitors and locals alike with their cool vibe and buzzy urban strips.

Burleigh Beach

Bohemian Burleigh is home to one of the most iconic and beautiful beaches in Australia with clear blue waters

Miami Beach

The Gold Coast's Miami Beach is a pristine kilometre-long white-sand strip offering

Nobby Beach

Nobby Beach is a quiet stretch of sand away from the hustle and bustle of Surfer’s Paradise

Mermaid Beach

Magical Mermaid Beach is a beautiful near empty two-kilometre stretch of sand, with a cruisy laid-back vibe

Broadbeach

Broadbeach is a vibrant recreational beach within an urban shopping hub

Melbourne Cup Day at Riverland

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Bar Pacino

Swap the racetrack for riverside glamour

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Haig Rd. Bistro

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a French twist

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Howard Smith Wharves

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at The Prince Consort

Nov 3

West End Shoe Sale

Brisbane's biggest & best ladies shoe sale is back!

Nov 4 - 6

SHOW ME LOVE BY CIRCA

Circa is back with a world premiere performance!

NOV 5–7

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming 2026

Dust off your costumes! Supanova Comic Con is returning to Brisbane

Nov 6-8

The Big Bounce

The world's biggest inflatable fun park has landed on the Gold Coast

7-8 Nov

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

The 2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo is rolling back into Brisbane Showgrounds bringing four days of caravans, motorhomes, outdoor gear and everything you need for your next great escape

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

MUST DO

Don Juan & Manfred

Join the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for their epic 2026 Season Finale at the Concert Hall QPAC, Don Juan & Manfred

Don Juan & Manfred

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 30-Nov 1

An Australia-first, year-round cabana club, a massive four-day caravan and RV sale, spooky Halloween events, World Series Wrestling hits Brisbane and a sprawling 800sqm Italian-inspired restaurant opens its doors

This Weekend Oct 31-Nov 1

COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Spring Carnival racing and Melbourne Cup events to Supanova Comic-Con, blockbuster theatre, world-first exhibitions and adults-only arts and crafts parties, what's on in November

What's On in November 2026

HOT TICKET

Into The Woods

Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel heading into the woods! Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved Into the Woods is coming to Brisbane this November!

Into The Woods

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular with trick-or-treating, a spooky disco, free face painting and plenty of family-friendly fun

Halloween Spooktacular

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane

A brand-new Nutcracker is coming to Brisbane