Kirra Beach

Kirra is world famous as one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surfing spots. Kirra Point separates Kirra Beach to the north and Coolangatta Beach to the south and is the northern break of the famous ‘Superbank’ - one of the longest right-handers in the world.

Often referred to as Australia’s 'spiritual home of surfing', Kirra is also home to the famed Kirra Surfriders Club, which nurtured Mick Fanning to three World Champion victories. Having once been threatened by sand pumping which mellowed its waves, Kirra has since become part of the World Surf Reserve. With the return of its famous high-quality barrel waves, Kirra Point can thrill experienced surfers with its big swell and world-class break.

Almost as famous as the beach, is Kirra Surf Life Saving Club, housed in the heritage-listed Kirra Beach Pavilion. Located on the south end of the beach, Kirra was one of the first surf clubs established on the Gold Coast (1916) and still a favourite amongst locals. The club’s deck is the perfect spot for a relaxing cold beverage or affordable meal overlooking the beautiful beach.

Nestled nearby is the photogenic Kirra Shelter Shed - a similarly iconic structure with a heritage border fence design and a shaded birds-eye view over this famous beach break. The Kirra Shelter Shed is a historical landmark and makes for a wonderful viewing platform; the perfect place to watch the young grommets and seasoned pros take on the break.

The Gold Coast Oceanway for pedestrians and cyclists curves around the headland passing beside the beach, the shelter and the club. There is ample car and bike parking around the clubhouse, making it a great step off point for a stroll north through Kirra and North Kirra parklands. If you have a little more energy, you might like to join lots of friendly runners at Kirra Parkrun - a free 5 kilometre run against the clock, kicking off every Saturday at 7am. Pick up a quick coffee at Zephyr Coffee Co. and find the start line 150 metres south of North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club. This lovely run along the beach attracts international visitors, local runners, families, a few dogs and prams.

After the run, feel free to join the locals for a chinwag and a coffee at the Surf Club. Across the road is Kirra Surf, another institution with an unrivalled range of beach apparel and surfing products. It’s worth a peek just to see the floor to ceiling surf posters to admire the waves and the surfers who ride them. For folks who enjoy high adrenaline activities, Kirra offers tandem skydiving through Gold Coast Skydive on Coyne Street, as well as one of the Gold Coast’s best dive sites; Kirra Reef about 400 metres off the beach. Book a dive or hire gear through Kirra Dive, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, there are lots of tasty options to choose from dotted along the beach on Musgrave Street. Kirra Beach Bakery offers “the best pie on the coast”, while Kirramisu Café and Restaurant is renowned for its great coffee, delicious breakfast and lunch specials. You might light to partake in the Hawaiian protein and salad poke bowl phenomenon offered at healthy HiPoke, or if tacos, tequila and taquitos are more your thing, there's the easy going Mexican Tupe-Aloha - always a favourite at happy hour.

Seeking some Spanish style ambience? Saunter into lively Bread and Butter, perch on their terrace and feast on tapas, wood-fired pizzas and signature cocktails. For fantastic flavours and a family-friendly atmosphere, try casual and cosy Rama 5 Thai. No visit to Kirra is complete unless you’ve visited the best gelato shop in the area, My Gelato Kirra, offering locally-produced original and vegan-friendly flavours that set them apart from the crowd.

By Michaela Lyons