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Surfers
Paradise
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| Surfers Paradise - the heart of
the Gold Coast! I love Surfers! It is one of those places you either love or hate! No visit to the Gold Coast would be complete without experiencing it. The evenings are lively! Families can enjoy the atmosphere in the early evening with a meal on Cavill Mall. Take in the free street entertainment. Some events are held on the beach and being on the sand watching fireworks or listening to a band is a great experience for the whole family. |
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During the day the beach is the centre of attention. Surfing, swimming, building sandcastles or relaxing reading a book. It is a top spot!
If you've never surfed why not take a lesson!
Within Surfers itself there are some great and some very average tourist attractions!
 Q1
Tower with Skybar
on the top levels |
Us locals use some of the facilities with great regularity so they can't all be bad! Some of our favourites include:
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Surfers is a great place just to hang out - which is why it is so popular with all different types of people.
If you stay in accommodation in Surfers Paradise you have the added benefit that everything is at your door and you can even get away with not hiring a car unless you really want to!
| Surfers Paradise Information Click to find on this page
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Attractions
The list of attractions is long - are you ready? I won't apologise for this list - I can't see a way around letting you know what there is here! But I have culled as much of the rubbish as I can without making it seem I'm a party pooper!
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Northcliffe Beach – patrolled beach
- Northcliffe SLSC - great place to have breakfast!
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Surfers Paradise Beach – patrolled beach
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Chevron Island – Some great cafés and restaurants in the main shopping strip
- Q1 - Q1 is the stunning, contemporary building that towers over the other high rises in Surfers. Q1 Resort and Day Spa - means you can stay in this amazing building and be right in the heart of everything.
- Q1 Observation Deck - The first time I went up in the the elevator to the Q1 Observation Deck I was awestruck by the view. The 360 degree view on a clear day or night is nothing short of spectacular. Whilst up there you can enjoy coffee and cake, or a drink from the bar in the Skybar and I think they even do private functions, so if you are looking for a stunning, memorable location for a party or function this could be an option. Don't forget your binoculars and camera!
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Cavill Mall - extends from the famous "Surfers is Paradise" sign which heads down to the beach right up to Circle on Cavill which is he brand new entertainment area in Surfers. Shops, restaurants and entertainment to be found all around Cavill Mall and the surrounding area.
Strike
Bowling Bar
Minus
5 Ice Bar
- Circle on Cavill -
Entertainment zone with Strike Bowling Bar, Minus
5 Ice Bar,
restaurants and cafés
and a huge entertainment screen. There are also apartments
for
holiday lettings in Circle on Cavill - they are brand new apartments.
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Chevron Renaissance – the Towers of Chevron Renaissance have apartments both residential and for holiday rent. Underneath there is a shopping area that includes supermarket, restaurants, cafés, spa and bathhouse and Infinity.
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Wax Museum – a museum of wax figures! Famous people one the one side and the Dungeon full of horrors on the other. Perhaps , not the best for the little kids! What more can be said!
- Infinity - You walk through a set of rooms with lots of things to test your senses! Remember once you leave a room you cannot go back, so don't rush this, take it all in. If you pace yourself should take about half an hour to 40 minutes!
- Adrenalin Park - includes Bungee Rocket, the aptly named Vomatron, Slingshot, Flycoaster and Bungee trampolines which sound positively tempting! As bizarre as it sounds there is also mini-golf right next door! With all that adrenalin rushing around, it seems like you've been there for no time at all!
- Timezone - this is a huge games arcade including dodgem cars and laser skirmish. It is a massive area of full on fun! Positively something for everyone here, even some mini-golf for enthusiasts! I defy you to stay in Timezone for only an hour!
- Australian Shooting Academy - right across from Timezone. An opportunity for some gun play any style you want - western, Dirty Harry! You name it! They even have a Big Boy Toys special with 3 different types of firearms! It's actually not my thing, but I have to mention it!
- Ripleys' Believe it or Not Museum - what a collection of interesting and irrelevant information and oddities! It is great fun for al the family - you will undoubtedly make a fool of yourself at some point in here, but hey - that's the fun! CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REDEVELOPMENT UNTIL LATE 2009.
- Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets - every Friday night from 5.30pm.
- Jet Boat Extreme - Extreme jet boating tours leave from the jetty by the Titanium Bar on Ferny Avenue. Experience jet boating in the calm of the broadwater - you probably won't feel calm afterwards!
- Aquaduck Safaris or Adventure Duck - Take your pick! How silly do you want to feel? You'll quack like a duck on these tours - no honestly, you will! These are the silliest looking tour boats you've ever seen - but the kids love them! It takes about an hour all up.
- King Tutt's Putt Putt - 3 themed 18 hole mini-golf courses. Outdoors African Jungle, indoors Ancient Egypt and Jurassic Dinosaurs!
- Mirage Boat Hire - hire a boat and check out the local attractions by water or go fishing.
- Whales in Paradise - tour boat departs from behind Titanium Bar on Ferny Avenue and takes whale watchers out to see the humpback whales during whale watching season from June to November each year.
- Paradise Day Spa and Bathhouse - pampering in the heart of Surfers. Mix of ancient traditional and modern techniques. Quite surprising facilities tucked away under Chevron Renaissance.
- The Nightlife - plenty of bars and adult entertainment. You can even go on an organised tour! If it is your thing, you will no doubt find what you are looking for and you won't have to look too hard in the heart of party central! Cavill Ave and Orchid Ave are the main areas you will find the bars and clubs.
- Budds Beach - Something completely different from the hustle and bustle of Surfers. An oasis of tranquility!
| Surfers Paradise Information Click to find on this page
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Surfers Paradise Accommodation
Please note some links open in a new window for your convenience.There are so many options for accommodation in Surfers but here are my main choices and why!
Surfers Paradise Hotels
- Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort and Spa - I love this 5 star hotel because it is everything you expect from an international standard hotel and it has the most amazing salt water lagoon pool and waterfall.
North of the
main drag of
Surfers and right on the edge of the Indy track. To go into
the
heart of Surfers or to the beach you will most likely take a taxi or
limo from here - it's not worth the walk!
I also love the excellent Japanese Teppanyaki Restaurant called Benihana at the Marriott.
Do not confuse with the lower standard Courtyard by Marriott in the heart of Surfers Paradise - otherwise you will be disappointed.
I also love the excellent Japanese Teppanyaki Restaurant called Benihana at the Marriott.
Do not confuse with the lower standard Courtyard by Marriott in the heart of Surfers Paradise - otherwise you will be disappointed.
- Crowne Plaza
Hotel Surfers Paradise
- part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group.
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Most
rooms offer ocean views and all the guest rooms are
non-smoking whilst the
suites are not.
It is situated south of the main drag of Surfers - I'd say it is halfway between the centres of Surfers and Broadbeach. |
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Very
much a resort style hotel with tropical lush gardens
pool,
spa and tennis court. The kids club is open weekends and
during NSW and Qld School Holidays only.
A great day spa is also within the resort along with some shops.
A great day spa is also within the resort along with some shops.
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Adjacent
is
Crowne Plaza Hotel Gold Tower
Every room has a balcony and the facilities are shared with the adjacent hotel. |
Click
here to compare deals on
Crowne Plaza Surfers
Paradise
Click here to compare deals on Crowne Plaza Gold Tower Apartments
Click here to compare deals on Crowne Plaza Gold Tower Apartments
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Surfers Paradise Apartments
- Crown Towers Resort Apartments - just north of the heart of Surfers. A family friendly resort with large 1,2 or 3 bedroom 4˝ star apartments. Great family facilities including resort lagoon style pool and many other great features.
This is my top
apartment choice for families visiting Surfers because of what I
consider to be the value for money with these apartments.
- Artique Resort Apartments - 4˝ star, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments south of the centre of Surfers on Surfers Boulevard. A short walk to the beach and great heated, outdoor, partially covered pool. The apartments are modern, fresh and have what you expect for 4˝ star accommodation.
The downsides for
this accommodation is it not on the beach and I think it is a stretch
to call this a resort.
- Breakfree Aloha Apartments - 1 & 2 bedroom, comfortable 3˝ star apartments just over The Esplanade to Surfers Paradise beach. Pool heated in winter only, but has a kids wading pool.
- Breakfree Moroccan - 1 & 2 bedroom 4˝ star apartments just north of the heart of Surfers tastefully styled around Moroccan and Mediterranean themes. You will need to check your apartment as not all have air-conditioning. Has indoor heated pool as well as a heated spa and a non-heated outdoor pool.
These apartments might be
noisy
for some as they are right in the heart of the action and close to
Adrenalin Park which makes it noisy with thrill seekers till quite
late. Overall these apartments are good quality and you
cannot beat
this
location.
- Q1 Resort and Spa - Just south of the heart of Surfers a luxurious 5 star resort and spa with clean, modern look and feel. Apartments don't have balconies on this iconic building, but the views are great.
Very well positioned and you
won't have the same issues with
noise here that you have with some of the other apartments in Surfers.
- Circle on Cavill - these 4˝ star luxury 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments are more like executive serviced apartments than your traditional holiday apartments. The Saville hotel group has taken it over, but I find it hard to call this a hotel!
Ultra modern decor and
facilities for couples, business
people or
families this is a great option if you like this style and want to be
in the heart of Surfers but away from the riff-raff!
They do have a kids games room, but the pool is a heated lap pool rather than a resort lagoon pool - so you will need to choose what you want.
They do have a kids games room, but the pool is a heated lap pool rather than a resort lagoon pool - so you will need to choose what you want.
Click here for more options for Surfers Paradise accommodation.
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| Surfers Paradise Information Click to find on this page
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Golf Information
Although the Surfers Paradise Golf Club is named after Surfers, it is actually located in Clear Island Waters which is inland from Broadbeach! It is a private golf club for members and guests only.
Other Golf Courses within a 15 to 25 minute drive are:
Resort Golf Clubs -
open 7 days
- Palm Meadows Golf Course - Carrara
- Royal Pines Resort - Benowa
- Emerald Lakes - Carrara
- Lakelands Golf Course - Merrimac
Public Golf Courses
- Lakeside Country Club - Coombabah - 9 holes only
- Merrimac Public Golf Course - Merrimac
Private Golf Clubs -
Members and Guests only
- Arundel Hills Country Club - Arundel
- Surfers Paradise Golf Club - Clear Island Waters
Semi-Private Golf Clubs -
limited opportunities for non-members
- Gold Coast Country Club - Helensvale
- Helensvale Golf Club - Helensvale
- Parkwood International Golf Club - Parkwood
Beach Information
Surfers Paradise has ocean beach frontage.
Surfers Paradise beach is magnificent!
It is cleaned every day and is a pleasure to visit winter or summer.
Make sure you are aware of the beach and surf conditions and only swim between the flags - I cannot stress this enough!
| Surfers Paradise Information Click to find on this page
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Travel Times
Approximate travel times by motor vehicle - please note travel times can be affected by many factors including traffic hazards and roadworks. These are just an indication.
| 5 minutes | Sea World – water and theme park Main Beach – Tedder Avenue cafés and restaurants and Southport SLSC |
| 10 minutes | Broadbeach – beaches, restaurants and entertainment Jupiters Casino – Entertainment and restaurants Pacific Fair – shopping, cinemas, entertainment and cafés |
| 15 minutes | Harbour Town – shopping, cinemas and cafés Burleigh Heads – Surfing and beaches |
| 25 minutes | Movieworld – theme park Wet ‘n’ Wild – water theme park Australian Outback Adventure – entertainment Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary |
| 30 minutes | Dreamworld – water and theme park |
| 35 minutes | Gold Coast Airport – Coolangatta |
| 1 hour | Tropical Fruit World – Duranbah |
| 1 hour 20 minutes | Brisbane Airport |
| 2 hours 25 minutes | Australia Zoo – Beerwah, Sunshine Coast |
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Directions for Car Travel
For directions and other information I recommend you use Google Maps Australia. This will open in a new window, select the get directions tab and then type in your starting point and where you want to go. I find the format the easiest to use and follow.
| Not
found quite what you are looking for? Surfers
Paradise is
really in the heart of the Gold Coast. If you are looking for something
a bit quieter I highly recommend Main
Beach. Broadbeach is also on the ocean beaches and has great
restaurants and cafes.
For golfing holidays check out Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Carrara or Robina. Coolangatta is a great destination in the southern end of the Gold Coast and has a great choice of apartments to suit most budgets. When is the best time to visit? That depends upon what you want to do, when you can come, your budget and what kind of weather you'd prefer! Check out my guide to the best time to visit the Gold Coast. |
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Want to know
what to do in the
Gold Coast?
So
many things to do, so little time - take the challenge check out the Gold
Coast main attractions and plan your trip to make the most
of it.
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