Take a swim, surf the waves, get your kicks on a jet-boat ride, spot whales, browse the market and shops, and then join the crowds for a drink at one of the night clubs or pubs. Compact Surfers Paradise has accommodation, shopping, nightlife and the beach all within walking distance.
The first European settlers named this coastal settlement Elston in 1889. Hotelier Jim Cavill built the Surfers Paradise hotel in 1925, and eight years later he succeeded in having the town renamed for promotional purposes. Cavill Avenue and Cavill Mall are now locations for shopping and indoor attractions, such as the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum.
The landscaped shore provides a scenic esplanade for jogging. Surfing schools are everywhere, whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your board skills.
Sunset kayaking tours on the inlets around Chevron Island take you past decadent private estates. Take a jet-boat ride through the waves at speeds of up to80 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour), or soar above the water on a parasail.
Ride the Q1 Residential Skyscraper elevator 230 metres (755 feet) up to the SkyPoint observation deck and enjoy a cocktail and dinner with a great view. Book a SkyPoint Climb to reach the very top of Q1, some 40 metres (131 feet) higher than the observation deck. See if you can spot misty sprays on the horizon, a sign that humpback whales are around. For a closer look, book a whale-watching tour departing from Surfers Paradise from May to October. If you’re lucky, you might capture a whale breaching on camera or feel the spray as a pectoral fin slaps the water surface.
Wednesday and Friday nights mean market time on the esplanade. Enjoy the sea breeze and check out the local art, fashion, jewellery and produce. Grab a bite to eat at one of more than 100 stalls, or visit a restaurant. Surfers Paradise is always fun, with year-round surfing events, festivals and beach entertainment.
Surfers Paradise is located between Broadbeach and Main Beach along the Gold Coast Highway. Rooms in high-rise hotels provide panoramic views of the Coral Sea.
