Main Beach Travel Guide

Gold Coast

Main Beach
Main Beach
Main Beach
Main Beach
Main Beach

Golden beaches, a glistening Pacific ocean and sparkling skyscrapers this Gold Coast suburb may be shiny but isn’t all flashy.

Visit Main Beach in the city of Gold Coast in Queensland to relax on its beautiful beach, experience its nightlife and enjoy its family-friendly nature attractions.

Main Beach is one of the more popular beachside suburbs of the Gold Coast. This northern suburb is just a few hours south of the state capital Brisbane and its marina is easily reached by boat. What makes Main Beach so attractive, however, is that it is surrounded by water. The aptly named Narrowneck isthmus is all that connects the suburb to mainland Southport.

Originally known as Southport East, Main Beach has been a holiday spot for more than a century. The Southport Surf Life Saving Club and local Main Beach Pavilion are lasting icons of those early days.

Join the locals for a jog at sunrise or pre-dinner strolls at sunset. Go for a swim between the flags or learn how to surf with one of the many surf schools that line the beach. You can even sign up for epic Jetpack, Jet Ski or Jet Board adventures.

For something different, head to the Marina Mirage Waterfront Shopping and Dining precinct, which also has farmers markets on Saturday mornings. You can also buy your seafood straight from the fishing trawlers at the Gold Coast Fishermen’s Co-Operative at The Spit.

The Spit is the northern boundary point of Main Beach and marks the start of the Broadwater of the Nerang River. Go fishing or take a boat trip from Doug Jennings Park on the northern tip, or get your fitness up in the ocean-facing Philip Park. The Gold Coast offers excellent whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, even close to shore.

The kids can have safe marine encounters in nearby Sea World and watch the Thunder Lake Stunt show. To let them mellow out afterwards, follow the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve to spot special seabirds in the dunes.

Take an evening stroll along Tedder Avenue for elegant alfresco dining. Try local prawns paired with a crisp white wine from the hinterland to celebrate all that’s good about the Gold Coast.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Main Beach

Sea World Resort

Sea World Resort

Sea World Drive Main Beach Gold Coast Main Beach QLD
The price is Rp3.668.251 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
Rp3.668.251
Rp4.035.076 total
9 Jun - 10 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"This was the perfect family vacation. We will be back."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2026

Sea World Resort
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast

5 out of 5
71 Sea World Drive Main Beach QLD
The price is Rp3.643.726 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
Rp3.643.726
Rp4.008.099 total
3 Jun - 4 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Superb presentation and great staff. Only issue was only 1 person on desk at checkout time on Sunday- queue was 5 deep."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

5 out of 5
94 Seaworld Dr Main Beach QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp3.653.844 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
Rp3.653.844
Rp4.019.228 total
17 Jun - 18 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free parking, a marina and private hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Lovely hotel Always a great stay"

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences

The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences

5 out of 5
38 Old Burleigh Road Surfers Paradise QLD
The price is Rp4.905.015 per night from 8 Jun to 9 Jun
Rp4.905.015
Rp5.395.517 total
8 Jun - 9 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (777 reviews)
"Our room smelt like stale mildew and cigarettes. It had a really bad odour. People had likely been smoking in the covered balcony and it had that old smoke smell while thew rest of the suite just smelt damp. The hallway smelt like McDonalds. The3 beds were the worst beds Ive ever slept on in a hotel, ..."

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences
Dorsett Gold Coast

Dorsett Gold Coast

4.5 out of 5
5 The Darling Avenue Broadbeach QLD
The price is Rp1.986.531 per night from 24 Jun to 25 Jun
Rp1.986.531
Rp2.185.184 total
24 Jun - 25 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,533 reviews)
"We stayed in a standard king room 1 night and then the executive room for 3 nights. We had to check out and check back in. The stansard room was nice but small. Neither rooms had a dining area. When checking into second room they never moved the bags and the concierge was not very informative. The ..."

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Dorsett Gold Coast
Voco Gold Coast

Voco Gold Coast

4.5 out of 5
31 Hamilton Avenue Surfers Paradise QLD
The price is Rp2.312.364 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
Rp2.312.364
Rp2.543.600 total
4 Jun - 5 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"I liked that tram was right next to it the hotel, was convenient to go shopping the room I stayed had a nice view of some parts of the beach, Staff were friendly welcoming and helpful, 5 to 10min walk close to beach, restaurants and cafes. Breakfast was average the variety of the basics it was convenient ..."

Reviewed on 27 May 2026

Voco Gold Coast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Main Beach

Southport

Southport

Beaches, spas and theme parks are some highlights of Southport. Make a stop by Australia Fair Shopping Centre or Gold Coast Aquatic Centre while you're exploring.

Southport
Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise

Cavill Avenue and Home of the Arts are a few top attractions in Surfers Paradise. Hop around the city on the metro at Cypress Avenue Station or Florida Gardens station and check out the area's stunning beaches, luxurious spas and popular shops.

Surfers Paradise
Southport Australia From Labrador

Labrador

Labrador is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Cooke Murphy Oval or Harley Park.

Labrador
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - Oct 4, 2022: Dracula's Cabaret building illuminated at night

Broadbeach Waters

Broadbeach Waters is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Dracula's Cabaret and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Broadbeach Waters
Broadbeach

Broadbeach

The stunning beaches, first-class casinos and popular shops are notable features of Broadbeach. Make a stop by The Oasis or The Star Gold Coast while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Broadbeach South Light Rail Station to get around town.

Broadbeach
Carrara

Carrara

Golf courses, restaurants and beaches highlight some of the noteworthy features of Carrara. Make a stop by Emerald Lakes Golf Club or People First Stadium while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Carrara


Main Beach Travel Guide