Gold Coast Towns

Broadbeach

Broadbeach is just south of Surfers Paradise and is a modern area offering a number of cafes and restaurants, as well as a large shopping mall.

Broadbeach also offers a beautiful sandy beach which is backed by the attractive Kurrawa Park. Perfect for everybody, with pathways and parkland where you can wander and relax, a park for the children and waves for surfing enthusiasts.

There is often live entertainment within in the park, as well as an interesting art and craft market selling books, bric-a-brac, clothes, crafts, gifts and jewellery.

The Broadbeach Art & Craft Market Ph: (07) 5533 8202 is held Kurrawa Park on the first and third Sunday of every month.

If you love shopping then Broadbeach is the place to go, with not only a market but also a large and popular mall. The Oasis Shopping Centre offers a range of boutiques, fabulous cuisine and even a 100 year old merry go round.

After you day of shopping at Broadbeach you can relax in one of the many al fresco cafes. Another shopping centre is Pacific Fair which offers over 260 different shops, large department stores, a supermarket, entertainment centre, plenty of restaurants and cafes and even a multi-screen cinema. The shopping on the coast is a unique experience, with a setting almost like a town itself.

Once the lights go down, the action continues with many different restaurants and plenty of other entertainment. There are also many bars and clubs where you can dance the night away, or alternatively take your chances at the Jupiter's Casino. You can also enjoy live entertainment at Jupiter's Casino where there is free entertainment almost every night in the Atrium Bar or Prince Albert bar, as well as unique shows throughout the year.

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is directly in-between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise offering a wonderful National Park where you can get to see some fabulous scenery and a range of wildlife, as well as more great Gold Coast beaches. You can also get amazing views of the surrounding coastline from Burleigh Heads

The beaches in Burleigh are lined with beautiful parkland, with picnic and BBQ areas for you to enjoy. Fabulous beaches and fabulous food makes the perfect blend on a sunny day.

Alternatively sample the local cuisine in one of the beachfront cafes or restaurants and then wander around the great art and craft markets which are very popular.

Within the Burleigh Heads National Park there are a number of walking trails which you can follow around the coastline, which are very pretty. There are fantastic views from here along the coats and surrounding area. More walking tracks, as well as a host of Australian wildlife can be found at David Fleays Wildlife Park , west of Burleigh.

Burleigh Heads also holds the Burleigh Heads Market along Marine Parade, on the last Sunday of every month. Heading inland West Burleigh is home to a large industrial and shopping centre where you can find almost anything.

It is also a popular dining area in the evening, with a wide selection of cuisines in the Burleigh area.

Coolangatta

Coolangatta is situated at the southern part of the Gold Coast (30 min drive from Surfers Paradise), on the Queensland and New South Wales border. Adjoining Coolangatta is its twin town of Tweed Heads.

Point Danger is in the centre of the two towns, and as well as offering great views (over the famous Duranbah Beach) also allows you to stand in both Queensland and New South Wales at the same time.

There are some fantastic beaches around here, and some attractive beach areas where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful weather. Coolangatta has a wonderful patrolled beach with some excellent surfing spots. Some great areas for surfing include Greenmount and Kirra.

Around Coolangatta there is also some attractive parkland where you can relax with a picnic.

Coolangatta offers a number of fabulous shops which you can wander around. The Showcase Shopping Centre is situated along Marine Parade, offering beachfront shopping. There are a wide range of shops, as well as some great restaurants and cafes. The Coolangatta Market Ph: (07) 5533 8202 is another place to go to pick up some bargains and fantastic gifts. The Coolangatta Market is held along Marine Parade on the second Sunday of every month.

There are a number of bars around Coolangatta which makes it a lively nightlife centre. There are also several great restaurants and cafes offering al fresco dining.

Coolangatta is also home to the 'Number One Nostalgia Festival in Australia' - Wintersun festival held every June - featuring everything to do with the popular 50's and 60's Rock'n'Roll years, from music, costumes, dancing and even Hotrod cars.

There is plenty of accommodation around Coolangatta ranging in price. Many are situated along Marine Parade overlooking the beach. Getting around is also easy with buses travelling along the coast, and the nearby Coolangatta Airport that caters for domestic and international flights.

Main Beach

Main Beach is a stylish and wealthy beachside area, offering a fabulous beach, al fresco dining and unique shopping boutiques. Main Beach is a beautiful beach featuring a Surf Life Saving Club, beach snack bar, as well as parkland where you can enjoy a picnic.

The main shopping area is within the Marina Mirage shopping centre, which features a range of exclusive and designer boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.

There are also several eating areas where you can relax and prepare for more shopping and spending. In the evening, Main Beach is very popular with a trendy dining area situated along Tedder Avenue. From its modern cafes to exclusive restaurants and wide range of International styles, there is something for everyone.

Southport

Southport is situated just north of Surfers Paradise and is a great place to stay and visit if you want to be close to the action of the Gold Coast, without being in the heart of the clubbing action.

Southport has a range of attractions to offer for visitors to the area. Along the Broadwater there is a host of beautiful parkland, featuring picnic areas and walkways. For those with a desire for adventure then the Broadwater offers a range of watersports.

Southport is also home to a selection of shopping malls and boutiques, as well as some modern cafes and restaurants. Australia Fair is a large shopping mall which features over 230 stores, supermarkets, food court, cinema and even a hotel, with Southport Mall featuring a range of shops and cafes for a relaxed and friendly day. Trade Secrets, the Brickworks, is another popular shopping mall which offers upto 50% discount on fashion labels.

For entertainment you can head to the Parklands Showground on Smith Street, which offers Greyhound racing every Wednesday afternoon and Harness racing every Thursday afternoon. There are also other events held here throughout the year, which are very popular.

There is also a selection of accommodation in Southport ranging from hostel accommodation to apartments and hotels.

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is a large commercial centre set on the Gold Coast. Huge skyscrapers tower above the wonderful beaches, and make up part of the lively and modern town.

There are plenty of wonderful shopping arcades around Surfers Paradise, as well as a fantastic nightlife and some fun attractions. Surfers Paradise offers an attractive beachfront which is lined by a number of cafes and restaurants, and plenty of accommodation.

The beach stretches all along the Gold Coast and beyond, with many of the beaches patrolled. From Surfers Paradise Main Beach you can also hire water equipment, if you want some excitement in the sea. Options available include surf borads, wake boards, and body boards, with jet ski hire available on the Broadwater.

There are plenty of things to do around the Surfers Paradise area. Other than relaxing on the fabulous beaches and experiencing a range of exhilarating watersports, you can also play a few games of the ever popular beach volleyball. Beach volleyball is also often played during the day on the Central Surfers Paradise Beach. Head along to watch some great players, or have a go yourself. If you prefer the water action but don't want to get wet then you can join one of the fishing charters or whale watching cruises. On dry land the excitement continues with bungy jumping, mini golf and even a few swings at one of the stylish and professional golf courses.

Surfers Paradise is also conveniently close to the many theme parks in Queensland, so you can continue to have fun all day long. (One good reason to slow down on the drinks the night before.)

Surfers Paradise is also the venue of the Indy 300 Grand Prix Race, which is held every year during late October.

Although surf is good at Surfers Paradise, another popular attraction is its many nightclubs and bars. Most of the bars and clubs are situated along Orchid Avenue, with Cavill Avenue being the heart of the towns shopping district, surrounded by numerous shopping arcades.

Many of the backpackers offer discounted entrance into the bars or free drink vouchers, which is great. Even once you get there the partying doesn't stop, with night long theme and just plain party nights. During the evening you may often see balloon artistry, buskers, circus acts, living statues and street artists in Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise. All of the live performances are unique and well worth watching.

If clubs and pubs aren't really your scene or you just want a night off, then there are plenty of other options. You can enjoy mini golf, ten pin bowling and video arcades, as well as one of the live performances in the Gold Coast theatres or cabaret restaurants.

There are plenty of places to eat out in Surfers Paradise, both within the shopping area and club area.

Accommodation also isn't a problem with plenty of backpackers accommodation, as well as a huge number of apartments, hotels and motels.