car hire

A great way to explore the surrounding regions of the Gold Coast is to hire a car and discover it for yourself. From rural Beenleigh in the north to picturesque Byron Bay in the south, west to the hinterland region and the famed Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach in between; the Gold Coast experience is much more than you expect.

Just 40 minutes drive from Gold Coast beaches is a hinterland of subtropical rainforest, interspersed with mountain villages, bushwalks, waterfalls and swimming holes, plus valleys of working produce farms and cattle stations.

The World Heritage-listed Springbrook and Lamington National Parks, plus the extended township of Tamborine Mountain offer access to unmatched landscapes, roaming wildlife and an array of flora and fauna represent nature at its finest.

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Two Locations: 6

Find the heritage listed Pink Poodle Motel neon sign! It remains one of the few surviving pieces of neon artwork linked to the booming 1960s.

Surfers Paradise

Energetic, enthusiastic, electric, eclectic! These are just some of the words that sum up the social scene that Surfers Paradise was built on. Since the days of the original Surfers Paradise Hotel, Surfers has always been an entertainment playground famous for its world-class nightlife venues, international events and pumping atmosphere.

Annually, Surfers Paradise hosts a series of great events including prestigious Surf Life Saving competitions, free artistic and cultural community events throughout the precinct, including the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets operating every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The new foreshore is bustling throughout the day with walkers, cyclists and skateboarders taking advantage of this beachfront boulevard vista overlooking the surf and sand. Like the Surfers Paradise of yesteryear, beachside shopping, dining, bars and clubs continually offer the complete holiday experience all in one compact destination package.

Surfers Paradise comfortably maintains its position as the good-times hub of the Gold Coast, so there’s no better time than now to rediscover this icon.

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After a long day of perusing (and purchasing) your luxury designer items at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, relax in one of the new outdoor eateries. Open late every night.

Broadbeach

Boy has bustling Broadbeach come a long way baby. Once the little brother to big sister Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach or “Broadie” to locals, is all grown up. We could start in the surf, with its beautiful beaches, framed by lazy parks home to weekend markets and weekday yoga classes. Or wander down the Broadbeach Mall, peppered with roving street artists and framed by alfresco dining whose tentacles seem to keep spreading in all directions.

Yes, you’ve now met one of the Gold Coast’s dining divas, with everything from gourmet delis, to bistros and brasseries.

There’s five-star feasts to be had along here too, and seemingly a new restaurant or bar every time you blink. Not that it’s overdone. That’s not Broadie’s style.

If you do want some razzle dazzle, head across the Gold Coast Highway to The Star Gold Coast, with its 24-hour casino, bars, lounges, restaurants and shows galore. You’ll also find the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre here, home to top international and Australian recording artists and business conference.

Let’s not forget that other icon – Pacific Fair (pg. 6) – one of Australia’s largest retail centres with more than 400 stores, cinemas and casual dining. Sure, Broadbeach has grown up, but it will always be Broady to us.

Mermaid Beach

Boasting waterways with names such as Rumrunner Lake and Lake Wonderland, it’s easy to see the appeal of Mermaid Waters, a canal community which sits at the elbow of Mermaid Beach. Australian surveyor John Oxley first came to the area in 1823 and gave it its name after the cutter ship Mermaid on which he travelled.

Primarily a residential suburb, it’s worth a wander here to check out the luxury homes situated along the canals and lakes. There’s a wide range of Asian and European restaurants in this area, which offers easy access to nearby Mermaid Beach.

In the Gold Coast fairytale, where Surfers Paradise would be cast as Cinderella, if there was to be a Little Mermaid, then Mermaid Waters would most certainly fit the bill.

Nobby Beach

This amazing café precinct borders the famous Hedges Avenue ‘Millionaire’s Row’ and is home to an array of boutique bars and restaurants. This local favourite blends a familyfriendly atmosphere with an ultra-trendy vibe that is frequented by surfers, cyclists and healthy lifestylers. At the southern end, the beachfront offers park, playground and barbecue facilities ideal for young families and offers an enjoyable walking track that connects to the picturesque lookout at North Burleigh Hill.

Miami

For 69 years, this relaxed Gold Coast suburb was home to Miami Ice, an iconic ice factory built from two recycled army huts which were demolished in 2013.

Even Australian singer John Farnham used this venue to film his Two Strong Hearts film clip. But while the controversy over the demolition of this cultural icon has since melted, Miami remains an uber cool place to visit with its burgeoning café culture.

A highlight of a visit here is Miami Marketta, where Miami bursts alive with an outdoor dining experience seating 650 people and serving food from around the globe. Edgy local watering holes such as The Cargo Bar and Gin Parlour serving boutique wine, locally-brewed beer and gin, while the main stage is a hot bed of local blues, jazz, roots and independent artists.

Blessed with a beautiful beach, a wide range of accommodation, and a host of beach shacks which remind you of the Gold Coast of old, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in that other Miami. Yes, Florida. White suits optional.

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After a stroll around the hip Village Markets wander over to Burleigh’s first rooftop bar, Justin Lane. Enjoy a long Sunday session with their famed pizza.

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads, or simply Burleigh to locals, sits like a cool comma between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. It’s a picturesque punctuation mark along the Gold Coast and most definitely somewhere to pause. Let’s start with the beach, which enjoys dual popularity with those who like to swim in her protected waters and those who love to surf around the headland. On a day when it might be a little choppy everywhere else along the Coast, you can bet your bottom dollar there’s a protected corner at Burleigh in which to dip. Even strict landlubbers will adore this destination for the Burleigh Heads National Park which wraps around the headline like a fashionable head scarf, offering views of the ocean on the left and a number of walking trails and wildlife to experience. The Burleigh foreshore is home to towering fragrant pine trees characteristic of the coast and in this parkland there are plenty of places in which to picnic or barbecue. This is also an ideal spot for regular art and craft markets, where you forage along the foreshore with the ocean shouting encouragement in the background. Absolute oceanfront dining exists here where you’ll swear the fish on your plate has jumped straight out of the water, and there’s a burgeoning funky café culture in these parts. New designers are also starting to pepper the shopping areas and an amble along here won’t disappoint.