Surfers Paradise

See our detailed Surfers Paradise map.

Things to See and Do

The busy Cavill Avenue Mall is the heart of Surfers Paradise and its main hub of activity. The pedestrian mall is lined with an array of shopping arcades, cafes and eateries. Visitors will be able to find service outlets here as well as various offices for booking tours, cruises and accommodation.

From the Gold Coast Highway, Cavill Avenue Mall leads straight to the popular Surfers Paradise Beach. The swells here are good for beginners and surf schools are readily available to offer lessons. Other activities here include beach volleyball, boogie-boarding or simply just relaxing on the sand or in the warm waters.

The beach promenade runs along The Esplanade and each Wednesday and Friday evenings, the Surfers Paradise Night Markets are held here featuring dozens of market stalls displaying an array of unique gift ideas for sale.

There's plenty more shopping on offer a little further up the highway at the Chevron Renaissance, a multi-million dollar project featuring an impressive shopping complex with designer boutiques and various retail outlets being overlooked by stunning towers housing luxurious apartments and a hotel.

Across the Nerang River is the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Surrounded by scenic parklands and paths lined with sculptures, the centre consists of a live theatre, two cinemas, a showroom and galleries showcasing exhibits and providing entertainment with an artistic and cultural flavour that is distinct from the rest of Surfers.

Festivals and Events

The annual Indy car race is held each October where Champ Cars and V8 Supercars race at high speeds around a circuit surrounding the high-rises of Surfers Paradise.

During mid-November, thousands of high-school leavers arrive in droves for Schoolies Week which involves a number of days and weeks of hard-partying.

Surfers Paradise Hotels and Accommodation

There are plenty of hostels around Surfers and also further north in Southport. Facilities will typically include internet access, a pool, dormitories, surfboards, a kitchen and the mandatory vouchers for nightclubs and parties.

Alternatively, there's also a large range of motels and apartments as well as a few upmarket resorts to stay at, many of which offer ocean views and easy access to the beach.

Accommodation at Surfers Paradise should always be booked in advance with rates typically increasing during the peak season. While hostels will not usually encourage long stays, motels and apartments normally insist on minimum three-day stays.

Places to Eat

There are plenty of eateries at the fast food outlets, cafes, restaurants and food courts scattered around Cavill Avenue Mall although not many of which would be considered particularly tempting.

The Chevron Renaissance Centre has some nice alfresco cafes and restaurants although visitors may prefer to head a little further out of Surfers to Broadbeach Mall and Surf Parade in the south or along the Broadwater up north in Main Beach to dine.

Nightlife & Entertainment

The clubs in Surfers Paradise are probably the main attraction here and Orchid Avenue, which runs just off Cavill Avenue Mall serves as the main bar and nightclub strip. Hostels will usually have vouchers available for resident backpackers offering free or discounted entry and drinks.

The nights from Wednesday to Saturday in Surfers are usually the busiest with the partying usually lasting till the early hours of the morning.

Getting to Surfers Paradise

The Gold Coast Airport is located south of Surfers Paradise in Coolangatta. The Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle and Surfside buses make regular stops at the airport to transfer visitors up the Gold Coast Highway to their place of accommodation.

Long-distance buses by operators such as Greyhound and Kirklands will drop passengers off at the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre located on Beach Road, just a block from Cavill Avenue. Here, visitors can find luggage lockers as well as car rentals nearby.

Tourist Information

The Surfers Paradise Visitor Information Centre is an open-air booth at Cavill Avenue Mall providing helpful information as well as a place for visitors to book tours and accommodation or purchase theme park tickets.

There's also a Backpackers Travel Centre at the transit centre where staff can help to arrange bookings for accommodation, transportation and activities.

Alternatively, Contact Us with any queries you may have about visiting Surfers Paradise.