Where to stay in Surfers Paradise
Where Is Surfers Paradise?
A small suburb within the Gold Coast metropolitan area, Surfers Paradise is just south of the Gold Coast central business district of Southport. It is located 30 minutes north of Gold Coast Airport and an hour south of Brisbane Airport. Surfers Paradise is compact and walkable, but trams, taxis, and motorbikes are also available when needed.
What Is Surfers Paradise Known For?
A little bit kitschy, and a little bit loud, Surfers Paradise is the capital of Gold Coast nightlife and is considered to be one of the top vacation destinations in all of Australia. As the name implies, the area is popular with surfers — and has been since the 1930s — but fishing, swimming, and boating are also options here. This neighborhood has the highest concentration of accommodations on the Gold Coast. Looking across the skyline, Surfers Paradise is easily identified by its skyscrapers. Lodging and dining options are available for all budgets, from backpacker hostels to self-catering apartments and luxury resorts. Local attractions such as King Tut’s Putt-Putt, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Infinity Attraction, and iFly Indoor Skydiving all offer non-beach fun.
What to See in Surfers Paradise
- SkyPoint: The SkyPoint Observation Deck is 700 feet from the ground in the landmark Q1 skyscraper. It is the highest point on the beach, creating panoramic views across the city and coastline to the hinterlands. There are informative displays throughout to educate visitors about the sights around them, and the space includes a cafe by day that turns into a chic cocktail lounge by night.
- Infinity Attraction: At Infinity Attraction, you’ll find a maze of trippy optical illusions in funhouse-style entertainment. The entire walk-through takes less than an hour but packs a lot of fun into the limited time and space that it has. Infinity Attraction is located just one block back from the beach in an area that also includes SkyPoint, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the Slingshot Adventure Ride.
- The Esplanade: The Esplanade — the main avenue between the beach and the community — is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars of all types that cater to a holidaymaking crowd. The largest concentration of dining options is centralized around Paradise Mall and the largest collection of accommodations is at the south end of the beach.
- Budds Beach: Budds Beach is a small riverside beach on the Nerang River that is great for families and paddleboarding. It’s smaller with fewer amenities, but also much quieter.
Popular Destinations Near Surfers Paradise
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: A native animal sanctuary 30 minutes south of Surfers Paradise, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary features hundreds of Australian animals. Highlights include visiting the animal hospital, walking the boardwalk at Lost Valley, and the TreeTop Challenge with 11 ziplines. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Trust of Australia.
- Tamborine Mountain: Northwest of Southport is a hinterland community known for being passionate stewards of the land and cottage industries. At Tamborine Mountain, there are mountain rainforest walks, a TreeTop Challenge Adrenaline Park, a botanic garden, and a glow worm cave for outdoor recreation. There is also a gallery walk and markets selling all kinds of local art, opals, pottery, clothing, food items, and cafes. Locals take great pride in their award-winning distillery in addition to the brewery and wineries. The famous “Witches Falls” section was the first national park declared in Australia in 1908.
- Wet’n’Wild Australia: Roughly 20 minutes north of Surfers Paradise is a water park called Wet’n’Wild Australia, home to multiple water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, various rides, and a junior’s section appropriate for children. The park includes a small collection of quick food options including a burger bar, coffee shop, pizza stand, and soft-serve ice cream. Cabanas and sun loungers are available for rent each day. Warner Brothers Movie World is just up the road for a double dose of fun.
Best Neighborhoods in Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise itself is a compact neighborhood within an urban area. It is small enough to be generally referred to as a whole instead of separate districts or neighborhoods. Though if it were, Budds Beach and The Esplanade might be the divisions. Almost all of the amenities and activities are along The Esplanade and the main Surfers Paradise Beach. Broadbeach and Main Beach are both walkable from Surfers Paradise as well.
Popular rental amenities
Price trends in Surfers Paradise
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