Coolangatta

One of the first resorts developed on the Gold Coast, Coolangatta was made famous by visitors from New South Wales and Victoria following the sun. In the early 1900s colourful bathing boxes lined the beach to preserve bathers' modesty. Point Danger Lighthouse marks the rocky headland named by Captain James Cook in 1770, and today Coolangatta is a Mecca for surfers and holidaymakers looking for the Gold Coast's quieter side. Safe, golden beaches, the best surfing on the Gold Coast, picnics on the foreshore lined with stately Norfolk pines, brightly coloured umbrellas shading beachfront restaurants and cafés, and a relaxed seaside town - what more could one want?

Coolangatta is orientated towards families, without the glitz and sophistication of the northern Gold Coast, but with safe and picturesque beaches. It is popular with both experienced and beginner surfers, and perfect for those looking for a relaxing holiday.

Coolangatta lies 100km (60 miles) south of Brisbane, at the southern end of Queensland's Gold Coast on the border with New South Wales. It shares the main street with its twin town of Tweed Heads, over the boundary line into New South Wales.

Located at the mouth of the Tweed River where it spills into the Pacific Ocean, Coolangatta is the most easterly point on the Queensland mainland. Point Danger Lighthouse stands guard on the rocky headland to the east of Coolangatta's protected north-facing beaches. To the west, the land extends through lush green valleys to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range (Queensland's hinterland), where the extinct shield volcano and protruding plugs are covered in subtropical rainforests.

Coolangatta reputedly has the best surfing beaches on the Gold Coast, coupled with the safest beaches for learning to surf. It is not uncommon to share the waves with surfing dolphins and whales in the clear, aquamarine water. Unlike most Queensland beaches, Coolangatta is free from stinging jellyfish year-round.

The best surfing is at Kirra Beach (west of Coolangatta Beach), Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks, close to the Point Danger headland. The town's north-facing beaches are protected and excellent for swimming, all patrolled by lifeguards. The beach foreshore has picnic tables and recreation areas. The wide, sandy beaches are popular with avid beach anglers, pulling in catches of snapper, bream and tailor. Dolphins and migrating humpback whales can often be sighted off the jagged Point Danger coastline.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin) is home to over 1,400 species of native Australian mammals, reptiles and birds, and famous for its rainbow lorikeets that descend on visitors twice daily for feeding.

Get the ultimate thrill on a tandem skydive over Coolangatta Beach (Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport). Hike through rainforests, explore caves or visit an alpaca farm in Lamington National Park. Savour award-winning boutique wines on a winery tour through the Tamborine and Albert river valleys. Enjoy the beauty of the region and every bend in the road on a Harley Davidson (Gold Coast Motorcycle Tours, Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise) or explore great dive sites at Kirra and Cook islands.

Numerous theme parks, dozens of attractions and all the vibrant activities of the northern Gold Coast also lie within a short drive or bus ride from Coolangatta.

All ages can embark on a multi-sensual journey in a futuristic world of wonder at Infinity (Chevron Renaissance Centre, Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise), an interactive theme park with a difference.

Coolangatta's beaches are renowned for their beauty and safe for both surfing and swimming. Enjoy an early morning run along the beach, jump the waves or hunt for crabs in the tidepools on the rocky headland. Stroll or cycle the coastal walk with great views of the coastline and beaches. Paddle up the Tweed River on a canoeing safari, or drop a line for a quiet spot of fishing.

The Showcase Shopping Centre (Marine Parade) is conveniently located on Coolangatta's main street opposite the beach. Browse beachfront market stalls for local handicrafts the second Sunday of the month, or visit many of the weekly markets in oceanside towns along the Gold Coast for arts, crafts and fresh produce.

Nightlife in Coolangatta and the surrounding area is lively, with a number of bars and clubs. Baja (23 McLean Street, Kirra Point), on the northern edge of Coolangatta, is the best dance venue on the southern Gold Coast, an intimate spot that explodes with sound and style. Across the border (literally across the street!) into New South Wales, discover nightly live entertainment at Tweed Heads' Twin Town Services Club (Wharf Street, Tweed Heads). The club has several restaurants, hi-tech poker machines and a free bus service.

Conrad Jupiter Casino (Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach), is an entertainment extravaganza, with over 1,100 gaming machines, Las Vegas-style live stage shows, nightclub dancing, restaurants and bistros.

Thanks to daylight saving in New South Wales but not Queensland, on New Year's Eve you can catch two fireworks extravaganzas an hour apart in Coolangatta and neighbouring Tweed Heads.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner overlooking the beach at a variety of alfresco restaurants and cafés, including many with an international flavour. Dine on Asian, Mexican, Italian and Australian fare, or indulge in fresh baked bread and pastries in intimate cafés and coffee shops. The Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (2 Snapper Rocks Road) offers consistently good food at inexpensive prices. Try Cazzy's (122 Griffith Street) at the Beachcomber Resort for fine dining.

Bus and rail services connect the coastal strip along Queensland's Gold Coast. Bus travel is the main mode of transport, available 24 hours. Many coaches offer tours throughout the region, while taxis and limousines are available for hire. The Oceanway, a 36km (22-mile) network of pathways and viewing points, extends from Coolangatta's Point Danger Lighthouse to The Spit, north of Main Beach, and is popular with cyclists and pedestrians. Discover pristine beaches and some of the best scenery along the Gold Coast, while breathing in the fresh sea air.

Stay in guesthouses or mountain lodges in Lamington National Park and follow trails through tropical rainforests. Cool off during summer sliding down rocks under waterfall cascades in Mount Cougal National Park, feed the rainbow lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin), or stroll through art and craft stores and antique shops in Eagle Heights on Tamborine Mountain.

Excellent dive sites begin offshore from Coolangatta, and extend northwards along the entire Great Barrier Reef. Closest to Coolangatta is Nine Mile Reef, home to numerous shark species, rays, turtles and pelagic fish.

Indulge in the romantic fantasy of a dawn balloon flight (Balloon Down Under, Palm Meadows Golf Resort, Gooding Drive, Carrara) and enjoy stunning views from Brisbane to Byron Bay and emerald mountains covered in lush rainforests. There is complimentary hotel pickup, and a champagne breakfast follows every flight.

Experience the flight of your life as a fighter pilot while flying air combat, formation or aerobatics from the back seat of an ex-military fighter jet. Black Jet (19 Lores Bonnet, Gold Coast Airport) pairs customers with real fighter pilots in simulated real-life missions along the coast.

Brisbane International Airport (BNE)
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)