Surfers Paradise Gold Coast

Skyscrapers gleaming in the sun line the snow-white sandy beach, where endless turquoise waves roll. In the evening, the city streets turn into a stage for hot parties and lively nightlife. Welcome to Surfers Paradise on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Surfers Paradise is a small town on the east coast of Australia. In the heart of the Gold Coast, the city is the Las Vegas of Down Under. Bachelors and backpackers from all over the country travel to Surfers – as the city is affectionately called – to party wildly. But the region has much more to offer than just a varied nightlife. Miles of white beaches, tropical rainforests, spectacular theme parks, universities and 365 days of sunshine a year await you here.

We’ll show you many of the city’s beautiful corners. What exactly can you experience here, which spectacular excursions are worth taking, and why Surfers Paradise is probably one of the coolest cities in the world? Read all about it now!

Getting to the Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise is located pretty much in the middle of Australia’s east coast, just under an hour south of Brisbane. The coast is also affectionately called the “Gold Coast” because of its endless golden powdery sand. If you decide to take a detour to this little paradise, you can head to the airport in Brisbane. Airlines such as Emirates, Qantas and Lufthansa fly here from all over the world. But if you are already in Australia, or perhaps just coming from Asia, then you should check the flights to Gold Coast Airport, as mainly low-cost airlines fly here.

From Brisbane Airport to Surfers Paradise, you can take the bus or train in one to two hours.

Top 7 things to do in Surfers Paradise

While the Aussies mainly come to party hard, tourists worldwide are drawn here by the sensational combination of the most beautiful beaches, theme parks, surfing events and incredible nature. You shouldn’t miss these seven things:

1. SkyPoint Climb on the Q1 Tower

It shapes the image of Surfers Paradise like no other building: The Q1 Tower is 323 meters high and offers apartments with spectacular balconies and hotel rooms at top prices. High up on the top of the tower, there is, of course, an observation deck: the SkyPoint Observation Deck . From up here, you can look out over the whole city and over large parts of the beautiful Gold Coast, such as Brisbane in the north and the hippie town of Byron Bay in the south.

2. World Surf League

While the entire Gold Coast is known worldwide for its good surfing hotspots, Surfers Paradise is not a coincidence. Every year, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will take place from April 3rd to 13th, 2019, where the best surfers in the world compete against each other. The exact venue is Coolangatta, 30 minutes south of Surfers. You should experience it.

3. Whale Watching

If at all possible, you should land in Australia between May and November because that’s when whales appear off the east coast. From time to time, you can see them from the beach when they shoot up their fountain of water. But it’s even better from a boat. Whales in Paradise is the name of a company that lets you go on a whale-watching tour in Surfers Paradise several times a day. Tickets for $99 are available at small stands in the city or online in advance – whale sightings are guaranteed here. It’s worth it, and the majestic animals are incredibly impressive.

4. Schoolies Week

The biggest and craziest party in Surfers Paradise takes place during the so-called ” Schoolies “, a kind of spring break. Every year at the end of November, thousands of high school graduates celebrate their graduation for a week. The huge party takes place right on the beach, but the whole city is overrun with party animals during this time. Simply join in, or buy an ice cream and watch the spectacle from the front row – both are almost equally fun.

5. Wildlife Sanctuary

The exotic animal world with spiders and snakes is simply part of Australia. Still, in addition to the somewhat nasty insects and reptiles, there are also cute koalas and lovable kangaroos that you absolutely have to see. Visit one of the many wildlife rescue centres, such as the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, about 30 minutes south of Surfers. The Farm Animal Rescue is also particularly loving. Here, injured or abandoned animals are nursed back to health, and you can watch them live.

6. Amusement parks

The adventure parks in Surfers Paradise are also a special highlight: Dreamworld, Movie World, White Water World and Wet n Wild are just a few minutes away. You can easily get here on the Theme Park Express, just a few minutes north of the city. There are huge rollercoasters and water slides and guaranteed adrenaline kicks. There are discounted combination tickets if you want to visit several parks at once.

7. Shopping

Decades ago, when Surfers Paradise was reserved only for the rich and famous, several designer shops opened up: Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada. Even today, there are many luxury shops and colourful stalls like those at the Beachfront Market that are suitable for backpackers. I would recommend the Pacific Fair shopping centre, just ten minutes down the coast, with numerous cool shops for extensive shopping. If that’s not enough for you, you should head to the huge Robina Town Center, 20 minutes from Surfers.

Pure nature – beautiful corners of Surfers Paradise

The wide, white Surfers Paradise Beach is one of the Gold Coast’s 70 kilometres of beaches. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, if not the world. The beach itself in Surfers is often well-visited. But a little further up or down, you hardly see a soul, so it’s worth walking a few meters. In addition to the beach in Surfers Paradise, we can also recommend the beautiful bay at “Currumbin Creek” nearby. Not only does it look beautiful, but thanks to the shallow water, you can also go swimming or kayaking.

The best insider tips

Watch out; now we’ll tell you our favourite place: drive to the northern tip of Surfers, keep going straight along the road right by the beach, past a small harbour and Sea World, until you’re standing right in front of the sea. Welcome to the Spit! Here, a small bay and a pretty park invite you to watch the sun rise and set. Dolphins often wander into the bay, and you can see them perfectly from the shore. The perfect place for a picnic!

In Tweed Heads, just 30 minutes south of Surfers Paradise, you can observe dozens of pelicans up close. The exact address is 214 Kennedy Drive – there is a small fish stall here, and directly behind it is a large lake where numerous pelicans swim and rest. With a portion of fish and chips in hand, it is a great way to relax while you watch these bizarre creatures.

The hotel of the jungle camp candidates

Anyone who regularly watches quality German television will have long known that the top-class RTL Jungle Camp candidates are accommodated here every year in the luxurious Palazzo Versace Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Before they head off into the dangerous jungle by helicopter, the celebrities enjoy the golden dream beach at the northern tip, just before the Spit. So if you are in Surfers Paradise in January, you should drive to the chic Versace Hotel to catch a glimpse of the celebrities. You can find hotels in Surfers Paradise with us if you want to stay nearby.

Surfing in Surfers Paradise: the coolest surfing hotspots

Surfers Paradise – a town with that name can only be damn sexy. That’s what local entrepreneurs and property owners thought and simply renamed the former Elston. Surfers Paradise has been booming since the 1950s – of course, this little piece of land is absolutely gorgeous, but the name alone has attracted numerous travellers. Unfortunately, it’s only partly true that you can surf particularly well in Surfers Paradise. There are a few hotspots along the Gold Coast where the waves are even better. But if you still want to tick the box for ” surfing in Surfers Paradise “, you should go into the water at the city’s northern tip.

Along the Main Beach Parade, from about number 3,472, there are pretty good waves to surf, especially in the morning hours. But if you want to ride the best waves the Gold Coast has to offer, here are our top 3 best surfing hotspots :

• Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta: The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast surfing championship takes place here every spring. And not without reason, because at Snapper Rocks you will find fast-running barrels. Surfers from all over the world come here to surf.
• Burleigh Heads: Countless awesome barrels await you after the takeoff followed by a wall of water. On a good day you can ride 1.8km long waves. Burleigh Heads is also a good hotspot for beginners: there are enough small waves in a bay to practice on. Surfing with dolphins is also not uncommon here.
• Duranbah (D’bah), Tweed Shire: Located in the state of NSW, you can expect sandy ground and some sand dunes, which create lots of cool A-frame peaks. This is where you’ll find the most action and the most fun! More suitable for advanced riders.

The best restaurants and pubs in Surfers Paradise

Of course, we tried out a number of restaurants and pubs and can therefore warmly recommend some of them to you.

Lunchtime in Surfers

For a snack, you should head to the Surfers Paradise mile, Cavill Avenue, where the small sushi shops have by far the best sushi rolls. Another good, if slightly more expensive, place for Japanese cuisine and fresh seafood is the Citrique Restaurant, while Cafe Alfons is also very popular. The best burgers on the Gold Coast are at Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co.

Dinner in Surfers Paradise

We also list the best restaurants and pubs for you to enjoy in the evening. We can wholeheartedly recommend the following places to go:

• Fiddlers Green Irish Bar: Steak with chips and salad for $10 – it doesn’t get much cheaper and, above all, tastier. The Irish pub was one of our favourite places in Surfers Paradise. Steak is offered daily, but other, more elaborate dishes are also available on different days at great prices. In addition to all the sporting events shown here, live bands play daily.
• The Star Gold Coast Casino: One of our favourite locations just ten minutes south of Surfers is The Star. Mainly a casino, it is also a cozy pub with good food. We can recommend the soup of the day, 99% pumpkin soup, but the Caesar salad is also excellent.
• Clock Hotel: Here, you can also find good steaks and, above all, hearty and typically Australian menus. In the middle of Surfers Paradise, the restaurant also has a cocktail bar, a dance floor and music – a very good atmosphere.

Exclusive nightlife in Surfers Paradise

Australians tend to be the wildest kind when it comes to partying – especially in Surfers, where stag parties from all over Australia flock, students celebrate their graduation and young backpackers from all over the world let go of all their in hibitions. The range of clubs is accordingly large, with a more mainstream feel, but there are also some alternative establishments. We can recommend the following clubs and bars in Surfers Paradise :

• Vanity: Exclusive furnishings and cool bars attract hundreds of partygoers every night. The dress code is a bit more upscale. Otherwise, you won’t stand a chance. The music is fairly mainstream, and the atmosphere is all the better. The address is 26 Orchid Avenue.
• Melbas: A mix of bar and club. Live bands often play here, which are then replaced by a DJ at night. The crowd is a bit more upscale and chic. The music tends towards electronic and house. Partying is not a must here. You can just relax at the bar or order food instead.
• Waxy’s Irish Pub: Live music at its finest! Waxys is a typical Irish pub designed to suit Australian tastes, with loud music and lots of alcohol. The clientele is mixed, although the average age is probably a little higher. Nevertheless, there is always a good atmosphere, good live bands and affordable prices.

Alcohol prices in Australia

By the way, if you didn’t know: alcohol in Australia is extremely expensive. A six-pack of beer costs up to $20. What most party people do is not particularly tasty but cheap: they treat themselves to a pack of “Goon”. It won’t be ten minutes in Surfers before you know exactly what we are discussing. Goon is the cheapest alcohol you can find in Australia. Four liters of wine in a plastic bag for $10, it doesn’t get much better than that. Please use the free water available in bars and clubs during your party night, and you will avoid a nasty hangover.

Surfers Paradise is a must

If you’re in Australia, you can’t avoid a trip to Surfers Paradise. Let yourself be carried away by the incredible joie de vivre and cool flair of the city, relax on the beach, and experience the nightlife. With us, you’ll find everything you need for your trip to Australia!