Experience Coolangatta, a sun-kissed paradise on Australia’s eastern coast
Choose between relaxing on first-class sandy beaches, surfing endlessly or bringing the family along to discover regional theme parks and beauty spots in Coolangatta, Queensland. Anchoring roughly 25 miles of pristine coastline, this family-friendly small town resort off the M1 motorway about 60 miles south of Brisbane brims with hotels, holiday apartments and restaurants. Furthermore, Coolangatta averages an enviable 300 days of sizzling sunshine a year. As exciting Gold Coast’s southernmost suburb, it’s also the home of Gold Coast Airport. Movie buffs might even recognize Coolangatta as Porpoise Spit, the heroine’s fictitious hometown in the Australian cult film Muriel’s Wedding.
Brilliant beaches for bathing, bronzing, diving and surfing
Whether you want to sunbathe, surf, dive or swim, Coolangatta’s beautiful beaches of golden sand won’t disappoint. Wherever your hotel is in Coolangatta, blissfully warm Pacific Ocean waters will be nearby. Overlooked by scenic Queen Elizabeth Park is the picturesque main bathing spot of Coolangatta Beach. Known as Superbank among surfers, this beach features one of Queensland’s finest wave breaks. Together with its expansive northern neighbour of Kirra Beach, it doubles as a magnet for snorkelling and diving around the offshore corals of Nine Mile Reef. Coolangatta’s southernmost stretch of shoreline around Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay also caters for swimmers and surfers. South of the rocky headland at Snapper Rocks, across the state border in New South Wales, is the surfing paradise at Duranbah Beach. Nature’s own wave-machine, this attractive bay boasts a world-class surf break plus a famously reliable swell, even when nearby beaches are experiencing calmer surfing conditions.
Tired of Coolangatta’s beaches? Head north for more sun-soaked and shark-net protected strips of sand like Main Beach, Burleigh Heads and the ever-popular Surfers Paradise, which is overlooked by Gold Coast’s signature high-rise skyline. Moreover, surfing and diving novices will find plenty of opportunities to enrol on local courses. Those who would rather watch surfing experts in action can time their visit to coincide with prestigious summertime competitions held around Coolangatta.
Attractions not to miss
Just a short walk from your hotel in Coolangatta you can find popular attractions which prove popular all year round. Visitors flock to the Point Danger headland straddling the state border for stunning mountain vistas and views along the coast. The landmark makes a fantastic lookout for passing whales too. Point Danger Lighthouse, notable for its modern architecture, also occupies the scenic promontory as do war memorials and a monument to Captain Cook, who sailed past in 1770, becoming the first European to note the area.
Shop, dine and enjoy annual events in Coolangatta
As a southern district of Queensland’s second-largest city of Gold Coast, down-to-earth Coolangatta feels less touristy than the faster-paced northern neighbourhoods. However, it possesses excellent shopping and dining in its town centre, where many hotels are situated. Cafes and bars plus old-fashioned burger joints and pizzerias around Kirra Point attract locals and holidaymakers alike. Meanwhile, there are interesting modern Australian eateries dotted throughout central Coolangatta. Many dish up abundant, locally-caught seafood. Additionally, there are Japanese, Spanish and German eateries along Griffith Street and Marine Parade, which boasts waterfront restaurants. Shoppers hunting for surfwear, gifts and fashion will also find several retailers in this part of Coolangatta.
The Cooly Rocks On festival each June is among the top annual events in Coolangatta. Celebrating all things 1950s and ‘60s, it brings rockabilly and swing bands to town for a dose of winter fun at multiple venues, including outdoor stages by the beach. Visitors can experience a colourful street parade plus retro markets, classic car displays and dance workshops. There’s also a monthly arts and crafts market on Coolangatta beachfront. And if you’re in town on New Year’s Eve you can be in the New Year twice in one hour simply by crossing Boundary Street. It marks the frontier between Coolangatta in Queensland and the neighbouring town of Tweed Heads in New South Wales, where daylight saving time is observed.
Explore Coolangatta’s magnificent hinterland
Mountains, waterfalls and ancient rainforests beckon in the raw beauty of Coolangatta’s lush hinterland. Adventurous types can leave their hotel and step back in time to explore subtropical rainforests dating back to the prehistoric Gondwana supercontinent. The rare flora and fauna of beautiful Lamington National Park has earned it World Heritage Site status and visitors can take advantage of its extensive network of walking trails to glimpse protected birdlife and threatened tree species. The park is famed for showcasing earth’s evolutionary history and processes. The easiest areas to reach by road include Binna Burra and the Green Mountains. Guided walks and four-wheel drive eco-safari tours of the region’s superb national parks are also possible.
Make Coolangatta your Gold Coast gateway
Book one of Coolangatta’s hotels for your Gold Coast getaway and it’s simple to enjoy all that the wider region has to offer, including exquisite dining options, nightlife hotspots, major shopping malls and top golf courses. Coolangatta is well-served by buses, so it’s a doddle to connect with light rail and mainline train services spanning Gold Coast. From Coolangatta it’s also easy for thrill seekers to have a memorable adventure at the area’s theme parks. These include Dreamworld, filled with high-octane rides and rollercoasters, or waterparks like Wet ‘n’ Wild and WhiteWater World. Animal lovers will be keen on Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where typically Australian creatures like koalas and crocodiles can be seen.