Beach with cityscape behind it on the Gold Coast.

10 Best Beaches around Gold Coast

What are the Most Popular Beaches on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast in Queensland is known for having some of the very best beaches in Australia. Home to the world-famous Surfers Paradise, and the legendary “Superbank” which creates the world’s longest and most hollow waves, the Gold Coast is where surf pros from around the world come each year to compete riding those legendary waves.

Learn to surf at one of the many surf schools along the Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches, or just enjoy the sun, sand, and gentle tides in the flagged lifeguard-patrolled sections. If you time your trip between May to October, you should see the migratory humpback whales as they make their journey north. Follow this guide for the best beaches around the Gold Coast.

1. Burleigh Heads Beach

Pristine sands next to a National Park

Sky view of the Burleigh Heads Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Burleigh Heads Beach is next to a national park and is one of the best-loved beaches on the Gold Coast thanks to its relaxed vibe, rolling waves, and white sand. Burleigh Heads Beach offers sheltered waters for swimming and rolling surf waves around the headlands. Former world pro-surfer, Michael Barry, runs the Godfathers of the

Ocean surf school at the beach and new surfers can take a private lesson to learn how to hang 10 with style.


Ubicación: Burleigh Heads Beach, QLD, Australia

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Burleigh Heads Beach

Burleigh Heads Beach, QLD, Australia

2. Surfers Paradise

Surf the famous waves

Surfer on a bright blue wave.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Surfers Paradise is a world-famous 2 km golden sand stretch of beach right in the heart of Queensland’s Gold Coast. Patrolled by a trio of lifeguard-topped towers, Surfers Paradise beach has safe designated swimming and surfing areas, and plenty of free-to-use barbecue grills and seating areas for you to enjoy the Aussie surf culture from the safety of the sand!

If you’ve never ridden a wave before or you’d like to improve your skills, sign up for a lesson here and hire a board to learn from the pros. Experienced surfers should head to the outer bar which offers moderate swell and offshore winds.


Ubicación: Surfers Paradise Beach, QLD, Australia

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Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Beach, QLD, Australia

3. Snapper Rocks

Watch the pros surf the Superbank

Woman watching waves at Snapper Rocks in Australia.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Snapper Rocks is in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, home to one of the world’s most famous point breaks. A small rocky outcrop on the northern side of Point Danger, Snapper forms the start of the man-made Superbank which stretches 2 km from Snapper Rocks Point to Kirra.

Snapper Rocks plays host to the annual World Surf Leagues’ Quiksilver and Roxy Pros surfing contests as the Superbank creates the world’s longest, hollowest—and best—waves! At contest times, surf fans from around the world come to Snapper Rocks to watch the pros at work on the waves.


Ubicación: Snapper Rocks, Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta QLD, Australia

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Snapper Rocks

Snapper Rocks, Snapper Rocks Road, Coolangatta QLD, Australia

4. Currumbin Alley

Family-friendly relaxed beach fun

Surfer catching a wave in Currumbin Ally, Australia.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Currumbin Alley is just a 10-minute drive from the Gold Coast airport and offers excellent beginners’ surfing as well as family-friendly rock pooling at nearby Currumbin Creek. Join one of Currumbin’s many surf school programs and learn to ride the famous “Lacey’s Lane” wave.

A little less developed than much of the Gold Coast, you won’t find glitzy skyscrapers here, but instead you’ll be rewarded with calm waters around the creek and children’s play areas. You can drive up through the rainforest to the Currumbin Rock Pools, which make perfect exploring destinations for active kids (reef shoes are recommended).


Ubicación: Currumbin Alley, QLD, Australia

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Currumbin Alley

Currumbin Alley, QLD, Australia

5. Kirra Beach

Historic surf beach

Boardwalk along the rocky beach at Kirra Beach.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Kirra beach in Coolangatta, is home to one of Australia’s most famous surfing spots, Kirra Point, the northern break of the ‘Superbank,’ one of the world’s longest right-handed waves. Kirra established one of the very first surf clubs on the Gold Coast back in 1916 and the clubhouse that is still there makes for a great place for a lunch watching the beach and the waves.

Join locals every Saturday at 7 am for the free 5 km Parkrun along the beach which starts near the North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club.


Ubicación: Kirra Beach, QLD, Australia

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Kirra Beach

Kirra Beach, QLD, Australia

6. Coolangatta Beach

Best surf for beginners

Surfer carrying their board on a beach with very blue sky and green water.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Coolangatta Beach is the southernmost community on the Gold Coast and the closest to the airport. Thanks to its north-facing sheltered beach with golden-white sand and safe swimming clear waters, it’s a very popular spot for families. The waves off the point are great for beginner to intermediate surfers.

Throughout May to October (with prime months August and September) you may be able to see the migratory humpback whales at Tweed Heads; the whales can often pass quite close to the shore, and you’ll get some amazing photos.


Ubicación: Coolangatta Beach, QLD, Australia

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Coolangatta Beach

Coolangatta Beach, QLD, Australia

7. Rainbow Bay Beach

See the colourful dunes

Sand dune and water below.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Rainbow Bay marks the last big beach in Queensland before the New South Wales border and is known as the gateway to nearby Fraser Island, a popular touring 4x4 destination. The town is named after the area’s many-coloured sand dunes which come from the mineral content in the sand. Rainbow Bay is also bordered by the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park which has several walking trails.

The white sand beach at Rainbow Bay is mostly flat, which means that the tide can creep up fairly fast, so make sure you watch out to avoid all your things getting wet!


Ubicación: 2 Ward St, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia

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Rainbow Bay Beach

2 Ward St, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia

8. Tallebudgera Creek

Snorkel with dolphins and turtles

Water and rocks at Tallebudgera, Australia.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Tallebudgera Creek is an estuary, famous for its gentle currents and crystal-clear waters, bookmarked between Burleigh Heads National Park and Palm Beach. On the south side of the beach, the waters are patrolled by lifeguards. Bring your snorkel and head out up to an hour before high tide which brings clear clean water from the ocean and fascinating sea creatures such as dolphins, rays, and turtles!

This is a much-loved locals’ swimming spot, so you’ll need to arrive early in the morning in the summer months to get a good parking place.


Ubicación: Tallebudgera Creek, QLD, Australia

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Tallebudgera Creek

Tallebudgera Creek, QLD, Australia

9. Gold Coast Beach

Swimming, surfing, and snacking awaits

View of cliffs and the ocean.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Gold Coast Beach is between the iconic Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, boasting golden sands, clear sparkling water, and well-patrolled waves close to the glitzy high rises that line the beach. There are dozens of apartment buildings and hotels for visitors to rent between lifeguard towers 31-33, with stunning ocean views just seconds from the surf.

Bring lunch to cook on one of the public free-to-use barbecue grills or grab something tasty from one of the many smoothie or sandwich shops in the area.


Ubicación: Gold Coast Beach, QLD, Australia

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Gold Coast Beach

Gold Coast Beach, QLD, Australia

10. Nobby Beach

Easy access for all at this popular beach

A child playing in the sand with surfers in the background.

Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Económico


Nobby Beach is a quiet family-friendly stretch of golden sand between Miami and Mermaid Beach, a little north of Burleigh Heads National Park. The waters are patrolled year-round from 8 am to 5 pm but be careful to only swim in the area between the flags as there are several strong rips in the area.

One of the Gold Coast’s most popular accessible beaches, there are several access points for wheelchair users with beach matting, beach wheelchairs, and wheelchair platforms.


Ubicación: Nobby Beach, QLD, 4218, Australia

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Nobby Beach

Nobby Beach, QLD, 4218, Australia

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