Nobby Beach Gold Coast Review
Nobby Beach Gold Coast is a much quieter stretch of sand that offers a relaxing respite from the frenetic energy of Surfer’s Paradise.
As it is easy to get to from both the north and south of the Gold Coast, it has been a favoured destination for families and couples coming to South East Queensland for many years.
Nobby Beach resides at the base of a craggy hill referred to variously as ‘Nobby’s Bluff’ or ‘North Nobby’. Until it folded in the late 1980s, the hill accommodated the Magic Mountain amusement park, which featured a castle and chairlift, and was in operation for three decades. However, it has since been replaced with shops and apartments.
Although it is less busy than other beaches on the Gold Coast, the area possesses plenty of family-friendly facilities, attractions and accommodation to make your visit here an enjoyable one.
It also backs on to an oceanway and foreshore park that draws joggers, walkers and cyclists keen to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, which in turn, ensures the ambience is always relaxed and laidback here.
Table of Contents
Thank you for checking out my visitor information guide to Nobby Beach Gold Coast. So this post is easy for you to read, I have arranged it into the various categories below. Just click on any of the links to jump straight to that section.
1. Where is Nobby Beach Gold Coast?
2. Best Time To Visit Nobby Beach Gold Coast
3. What Facilities do they have at Nobby Beach Gold Coast?
4. How to get to Nobby Beach Gold Coast
5. Things to do at Nobby Beach Gold Coast
6. Nobby Beach Accommodation
7. Nobby Beach Restaurants
8. Final Thought
9. FAQs
Hopefully you will read this visitor guide all the way until the end. If you do, it will be great if I have inspired you to go to this incredible Gold Coast beach!
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Read Time: 10 Minutes
Before you read on, take a minute to check out these awesome Gold Coast Tours and Excursions!
Where is Nobby Beach Gold Coast?
Sandwiched between Miami Beach and Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach Gold Coast is situated about a 15-minute drive south from Surfers Paradise.
The relatively small suburb has a seaside feel to it and comprises a glorious stretch of beach and a nice range of cafes, boutique shops and decent accommodation options. It is located about an hour and 40 minute drive south of Brisbane and about a 30 minute drive north of Tweed Heads in New South Wales.
The traditional owners of the land on which Nobby Beach Gold Coast resides are the Yugambeh people.
Nobby Beach distance to other Gold Coast Beaches
Best Time To Visit Nobby Beach Gold Coast
As with the other beaches on the Gold Coast, Nobby Beach is a destination you can visit all year round.
During the summer months of December to February and also during the Easter weekend and public holidays like Australia Day, the beach is likely to be quite crowded as compared to other times in the year. That said, the weather will be hot and humid, so it is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Just remember to be sun safe if you plan to stay there for a while.
Outside of school holidays and weekends, you should find the beach reasonably quiet, especially during the middle of the day. Indeed, many people come here early in the morning to see the sunrise or exercise, or later in the evening to unwind after work. So, either side of those times, you can usually set yourself up for a peaceful and relaxing beach session.
What Facilities do they have at Nobby Beach Gold Coast?
For tourists and locals Nobby Beach Gold Coast offers a good range of facilities and amenities to ensure they can enjoy a perfect day at the beach.
The beach is patrolled by the Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club which was established in 1954. They operate at Lifeguard Tower 23 and on Lavarack Road and Albatross Avenue. It is also one of the most accessible beaches on the Gold Coast as it has beach matting which enables wheelchairs to get onto the sand, as well as other platforms and access points designed for use for those with disabilities.
You’ll find a limited amount of parking at the surf club as well as decent options in the surrounding streets. Just make sure you take note of signs outlining the parking regulations. Bike racks are available as well for those who choose to cycle to the beach.
Around the foreshore area you will find toilets, including disability stalls, as well as beach showers, bins and fitness equipment. There is also a playground for children to enjoy and plenty of public barbecues, benches, seating and picnic tables and shelters for those who fancy an al fresco coast side meal.
Nobby Beach Gold Coast is a terrific beach for swimming as it is patrolled by the Nobby’s Beach Surf Club every day of the year between 8am and 5pm
How to get to Nobby Beach Gold Coast
Nobby Beach Queensland is an easy beach to get to. If you are driving, you should follow the signs to Surfer’s Paradise and then make your way further south from there.
Depending on where you are coming from you might need to drive on the M1, Gold Coast Highway or Bruce Highway. There are a few routes and side roads you can take to get to the beach, so it is worth downloading the Waze App to establish the best directions as per your location and current levels of traffic.
If you would rather not drive you can always catch a taxi, Uber or cycle there. Alternatively, you might want to take public transport. Throughout the day, Translink buses run regularly past Nobby Beach up and down the Gold Coast Highway. You should use Translink’s journey planner to find out bus times for when you want to go.
Nobby Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations
Things to do at Nobby Beach Gold Coast
As mentioned, Nobby Beach Gold Coast is a terrific beach for swimming as it is patrolled by the Nobby’s Beach Surf Club every day of the year between 8am and 5pm. Although their might be the occasional rips or drag, if you stay between the red and yellow flags and not go into the water above your waist, you should be able to enjoy a pleasant time in the shimmering waters of the Coral Sea.
Nobbys is also renowned as a decent surf beach, with breaks running for its entire length. Typically, the best time to surf is when the winds are coming offshore from the west. The swell direction is most usually in the east, which means that wind and ground swells are likely. On a good day you should be able to find right and left hand waves all throughout the day. Just be mindful of obstacles, rips and the potential for sharks.
If you would rather stay on the sand, as opposed to the water, the beach is a nice one to set yourself up perfectly for the day. It is also good for walking, beach combing, building sandcastles and throwing a frisbee or ball around.
In addition, the oceanway runs up Nobby Beach Gold Coast’s southern section. It is a nice spot for picnics, walking, bike rides and taking in the views of the coastline.
Nobby Beach Accommodation
If you are looking to base yourself in the area during your Queensland holiday or weekend getaway, you will find a good range of places to stay at Nobby Beach Gold Coast.
One of the most popular of them is the Nobby Beach Holiday Village, which offers affordable accommodation in a modern and well-equipped caravan park that is situated right next to the beach.
With options ranging from powered grass sites for caravans, trailers, motorhomes and big rigs, and basic studio apartments that come with kitchenettes and double beds, to two bedroom villas and poolside penthouses that are perfect for large groups or families, they have an option to suit all budgets and tastes.
Elsewhere, not far from the beach and a slew of trendy neighbourhood cafes is the Villa Baci Nobby Beach. If you choose to stay here you can rent out fully self-contained apartments that come with full kitchen facilities.
Alternatively, Beaches On Wave Street is so popular, you can generally only book it for a minimum three night stay. It is located a stone’s throw from the beach and also has a hot tub, swimming pool and BBQ facilities so you can enjoy a lovely, warm al fresco meal in the sunshine.
If you are looking for a Queensland holiday destination that ticks all the boxes of a nice beach, good surf and a fantastic cafe scene, then Nobby Beach Gold Coast is the place for you.
Nobby Beach Restaurants
If you are looking for places to eat at Nobbys Beach Gold Coast you won’t be disappointed. The area is home to a wide range of funky cafes, cool restaurants and hip, beachfront eateries that offer international cuisines that include Italian, Hawaiian and Thai.
One of the best places to dine at is Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which proudly claims to be the only beachfront restaurant on the sand. It offers a huge menu of classic food dishes like burgers, fish and chips, calamari and Thai curries, which you can enjoy while taking in superb views of the Coral Sea, Coolangatta and Surfer’s Paradise from its al fresco balcony and upper floor restaurant.
Right next door to the surf club you’ll find the BSKT Cafe (pronounced biscuit). This hip beachside health-inspired venue has become somewhat of an international food brand for those who like clean food and clean living. It is both a dog and child-friendly establishment which prides itself on inclusivity.
Another place to try is Gemellini which serves authentic Italian food including a terrific selection of pizzas. My personal favourite here is the Rucola 28, which features Fior di latte, parmesan, rocket and 24-month prosciutto di Parma, which is the star of the offering. If you are a vegan, they have a nice range available, and all their pizzas can be made with gluten free bases and dairy free mozzarella cheese, to accommodate customers with those allergies.
For those fancying an Asian meal Ally Chow is a good option, while Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria is the place to go for a Mexican indulgence.
Other Gold Coast Restaurants
Final Thought
If you are looking for a Queensland holiday destination that ticks all the boxes of a nice beach, good surf and a fantastic cafe scene, then Nobby Beach Gold Coast is the place for you.
As it is much quieter than the neighbouring areas of Surfer’s Paradise, Miami Beach and Mermaid Beach, time spent here is a great way to relax and unwind far from the maddening crowd.
To make the most of this fabulous coastal paradise, you really should settle yourself for a full day of fun in the sun. Just don’t be surprised if you lose track of the hours, and by the time it gets dark, you won’t want to leave.
FAQs
Where is Nobby Beach Gold Coast?
Nobby Beach is situated to the south of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. It is nestled in between the suburbs of Miami and Mermaid Beach.
Is Nobby Beach Gold Coast busy?
Overall, Nobby Beach tends to be much quieter than most of the other beaches on the Gold Coast. So, it is a nice place to come if you fancy a more relaxed and low-key Queensland beach experience.
