Surfers paradise, The Gold Coast, Queensland

Surfers Paradise Overview

Surfers Paradise is the most frequented of the Gold Coast suburbs and symbolises what most people would associate with the region.

Magnificent high rise apartment towers, outdoor dining, the beach and fun. A concentration of high rise towers dominate the skyline making the other Gold Coast towns look well and truly under developed.

This is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and it is not surprising that one of, if not the World's tallest residential towers, Q1 was compleated in 2005 at 'Surfers'.

It stands 80 stories high offering views to as far as Brisbane.

Surf Culture

Surfers Paradise is adjacent to the more restrained Broadbeach, being connected by the miles of golden beach which gives the area its name.

References to surf culture are everywhere from the tall surfboard sculptures at the entrance of the Cavill Mall precinct to the street furniture and outdoor seating.

Don't be surprised to see surfers, with their boards in arm, walking to and from the beach.

Although the surfing here has a good reputation, dangerous currents and rip tides can get unsuspecting bathers into serious trouble so always swim between the flags on patrolled sections of the beach.

Cavill Mall

At the heart of Surfers Paradise is the bustling, always busy Cavill Mall.

This is a pedestrianised precinct running between The Esplanade, on the breachfront, and The Gold Coast Highway. Cavill Mall is lined by fast food outlets, outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants and is the location for buskers and street entertainers, amusement arcades, Ripleys Believe It Or Not, the Hard Rock Cafe and shopping malls.

International Cuisine

There is always somewhere closeby to eat in Surfers Paradise. There are street side eateries, cafes, fast food restaurants as well as theme restaurants such as The Hard Rock Cafe.

To cater for the varying tastes and demand from international visitors, there is a wide choice of cuisine on offer, including Australian, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Indian, Thai and Japanese

Amusements

Surfers Paradise is known for offering a wide variety of entertainment.

Street entertainers mingle with the crowds, you will find attractions such as wax works, multi media walk through experiences, amusement arcades, bowling, mini golf, parasailing, amphibious aquabus tours and even firearm shooting galleries.

Further afield is The Gold Coast Hinterland, several theme parks and more golf courses than anywhere else in Australia.

Bungy Jumping

For the adventurous there is a selection of extreme rides just opposite The Crown Towers on the corner of Palm Avenue and Gold Coast Highway. This includes a bungy jump, a large rotating arm with capsules at either end and the sling shot. The Sling Shot propels its passengers upwards to a height of 80 metres (so you get a good view of the Crown Towers!) and pulls several 'G's'. It is an amazing experience.

Chevron Renaissance

The Chevron Renaissance typifies the optimism in Surfers Paradise and The Gold Coast in general. The development comprises a shopping, boutique and dining precinct complete with palm tree-lined boulevards and elegant water features beneath three (each being about 40 stories high) elegant residential and holiday apartment towers (not currently all complete). The architecture, inspired by Italian/European style, is opulent and ornate. The development is similar in concept to The Phoenician Resort in Broadbeach although on a larger scale.