SURFERS PARADISE is the Gold Coast in many minds and just under half the visitors to the Gold Coast make a beeline for it. Named by far sighted developers in the 1930’s to encourage visiting holidaymakers Surfer’s Paradise grew quickly and became a popular ‘party town’. Check out the video of old film clips when you enjoy the views from the 77th floor Q1 Observation Deck. 24/7 there’s something going on with International Events like Lexmark Indy, tennis, golf, cycling and of course surf related competitions abounding. Think of a water sport and its here for you to do and afterwards dozens of night clubs and bars are open seriously late. Bikinis are sometimes advertised as ‘two piece’ which is interesting coming from the place that invented the bikini! Shopping for brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and many more can be duty free and fine restaurants such as The Captains Table seafood restaurant in Orchid Ave nourish the weary body. Many ethnic cuisines are represented. Acceptable Surfers attire is a pair of shorts or a bikini with a surfboard under the arm.

MAIN BEACH lies to the north of Surfers and provides a quieter, perhaps more dignified contrast. Tedder Ave is a famous dining precinct and the street boasts beautifully maintained plantings and a wide selection of eateries like Bahia Restaurant. Look up and you’ll likely see kite surfers on the breeze. Take a stroll through Federation Walk which follows the beach. Main Beach leads north to The Spit with its luxurious accommodation, exclusive shopping precincts and base for myriad water based adventures. Dine by the water at Saks or Omeros Brothers multi award winning seafood restaurant. The picture postcard prawn trawlers dock at The Spit and sell fresh prawns ‘off the boat’. Further along you’ll find Sea World with its sharks, polar bears and many other attractions.