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

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 Rp3.393.847 per night from 4 May to 5 May
Rp3.393.847
Rp3.733.232 total
4 May - 5 May
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! (1,007 reviews)
There were still room service plates outside our room from when we arrived till late that night. The ice machine barely worked to produce ice. The food in Terraces restaurant is supurb, but the poor staff performance lets it down. Apart from that, had a good stay

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Sea World Resort

Sea World Resort

Sea World Drive Main Beach Gold Coast Main Beach QLD
The price is Rp2.163.824 per night from 4 May to 5 May
Rp2.163.824
Rp2.380.206 total
4 May - 5 May
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! (1,009 reviews)
No

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Sea World Resort
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

5 out of 5
94 Seaworld Dr Main Beach QLD
The price is Rp3.256.828 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
Rp3.256.828
Rp3.582.511 total
27 Apr - 28 Apr
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! (1,006 reviews)
We loved our stay here for my birthday. My daughter loved the pool area. The pool is very cold so a spa or heated pool would definitely be a great addition. The staff were amazing from the front desk, the pool guy and the cleaners. Rooms are beautiful, room service very tasty and buffet breaky Devine. ...

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
Novotel Surfers Paradise

Novotel Surfers Paradise

4.5 out of 5
Cnr Surfers Paradise Blvd and Hanlan St Surfers Paradise QLD
The price is Rp2.306.388 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
Rp2.306.388
Rp2.537.027 total
20 Apr - 21 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,466 reviews)
NA

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Novotel Surfers Paradise
Voco Gold Coast

Voco Gold Coast

4.5 out of 5
31 Hamilton Avenue Surfers Paradise QLD
The price is Rp2.075.848 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
Rp2.075.848
Rp2.283.433 total
21 Apr - 22 Apr
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,012 reviews)
Didnt have breakfast, but iur room did overlook the ocean.

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2026

Voco Gold Coast
Dorsett Gold Coast

Dorsett Gold Coast

4.5 out of 5
5 The Darling Avenue Broadbeach QLD
The price is Rp1.957.228 per night from 10 May to 11 May
Rp1.957.228
Rp2.152.951 total
10 May - 11 May
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! (1,503 reviews)
Beautiful hotel! Came here as part of our honeymoon and it was just fabulous. We had a beautiful view of the hinterlands and it was just stunning at sunset. The room was very clean and well equipped and the bathroom was really lovely. The only tinyyy issues were the shower temp was a little temperamental ...

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2026

Dorsett 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

Home of the Arts and Chevron Renaissance 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
Broadbeach Waters

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
Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach

Mermaid Beach is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Nobby Beach and Putt Putt Golf Mermaid Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Gold Coast.

Mermaid Beach


Main Beach Travel Guide