Gorgeous family-friendly beach close to the Border of Queensland and New South Wales
Table of Contents
Welcome to my Tourist Visitor Guide to Miami Beach Gold Coast. To make it easier for you to follow I have organised it into the various heading below:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Miami Beach Gold Coast?
3. Best Time To Visit Miami Beach Gold Coast
4. What Facilities do they have at Miami Beach Gold Coast?
5. How to get to Miami Beach Gold Coast
6. Things to do at Miami Beach Gold Coast
7. Miami Beach Accommodation
8. Miami Beach Restaurants
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs
Please read this visitor guide until the end. If you do, I hope it will have inspired you to visit this superb Gold Coast beach!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 10 Minutes
Introduction
Miami Beach Gold Coast is a gorgeous beachside suburb situated about 17 km from the New South Wales and Queensland border, and about 12 km from Surfer’s Paradise.
Originally named in 1925 after the iconic Miami Hotel (which was in Burleigh Heads), the area was previously used in World War II as a large military camp. However, today it is best known for being one of the best beaches on the Gold Coast for a Queensland holiday, accommodating a stunning stretch of sand that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing.
Popular with both tourists and locals, tens of thousands of visitors come to the pristine waters of Miami Beach Gold Coast every year to enjoy its tranquil coastal ambience. Away from the sand, Miami also has an iconic strip of beach bungalows which adds an endearing charm to the area, which other parts of the region can’t seem to replicate.
There also are wide open parklands that are home to beach showers, children’s playgrounds and barbecue facilities, which make it a very family-friendly place to visit overall.
As Miami Beach, like the rest of the Gold Coast is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine in a year, the best time to visit the area is pretty much anytime!
Where is Miami Beach Gold Coast?
Miami Beach is situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. It comprises an immaculate stretch of white sand that runs for a kilometre from Mick Schamburg Park, which is on top of the Miami Headland, to Nobby’s Head in the north.
It is sandwiched between Burleigh and Mermaid Beach and is approximately a 20 minute drive to Surfer’s Paradise.
Further afield, it will take you just over an hour to drive there from Brisbane and about 20 minutes from Tweed Heads in New South Wales.
The traditional owners of the land in which Miami Beach Gold Coast resides are the Yugambeh and Kombumerri people.
Miami Beach distance to other Gold Coast Beaches
Best Time To Visit Miami Beach Gold Coast
As Miami Beach, like the rest of the Gold Coast is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine in a year, the best time to visit the area is pretty much anytime!
You will hardly ever need to pack a jumper with you during the day, although a rain mac might come in handy during the wet season months of December to February. Sunglasses, thongs, hats and swimming costumes and other beach essentials are worth bringing with you all year round though.
The Australian summer represents the busiest time of the year at Miami Beach Gold Coast, so you can expect plenty of people on the sand and in the water. Hotels, resorts and holiday accommodation are also likely to be full and more expensive in line with the peak season demand.
Generally speaking the shoulder season months wither side of summer i.e. October and November and March and April are good times to come. The weather is pleasant without the high humidity and threat of rain and the water temperature is usually lovely.
Winter can also be a nice time to visit too, although the Coral Sea might be a bit too chilly for some to handle.
What Facilities do they have at Miami Beach Gold Coast?
Like most of the other Gold Coast Beaches, Miami Beach possesses a good range of facilities and amenities to ensure visitors and locals can enjoy a day of recreation and leisure without having to be too inconvenienced.
The beach has two patrolled areas with lifeguard towers manned by the Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club that enable safe swimming. You will find one at Hythe Street on Marine Parade, which is operated every day of the year from 8am to 5pm. The other is at Santa Monica Road on Marine Parade and is patrolled between 8am and 5pm between September and April at weekends and during school holidays.
Close to the beach are parklands that have several toilets, both public and disabled, as well as showers and wash basins. Additionally, there are barbecues, shaded and open air picnic tables and seating. You will also be able to park your car and bike at the Miami Surf Life Saving Club’s big sized car park and those win wheelchairs will be able to access the sand via accessible platforms.
You’ll find plenty of things to do at Miami Beach Gold Coast to ensure you enjoy every minute of your time at this wonderful Gold Coast beach.
How to get to Miami Beach Gold Coast
Miami Beach is a coastal area you can reach via various modes of transport. If you are driving, you will most likely take the Gold Coast Highway, Bruce Highway or M1 if you are coming from outside the Gold Coast. All the beaches in the area are well signed posted, though you should use the Waze App to get the most accurate directions from your starting point. You should find decent parking options near the beach, although you might have to pay for some spots.
If you would rather not drive you can catch a train to Robina station, which is 6 km to the west of Miami. From there you will be able to catch a bus or an Uber. Trains and buses are operated by Translink throughout the Gold Coast. You can use their journey planner to find the best route for you.
If you will be flying in for your visit, the closest airport to Miami Beach is the Gold Coast Airport, about 13 km south of Miami. From there you will be able to catch an Uber, taxi or bus, or alternatively hire a car. Most of the major car rental companies operate out of the airport including Hertz, Avis and Europcar.
Miami Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations
Things to do at Miami Beach Gold Coast
You’ll find plenty of things to do at Miami Beach Gold Coast to ensure you enjoy every minute of your time at this wonderful Gold Coast beach.
As the beach is patrolled in two different areas it is perfectly safe to swim there if you stay between the red and yellow flags. That said, the Coral Sea can get a bit rough here at times and there is always the risk of rips and drags to contend with. As always, you should avoid going into the water above waist level when standing, just to be on the safe side.
The beach is very good for sunbathing, beach walking and beach combing. Additionally, there is usually enough expanse of sand for a game of touch footy or to throw a frisbee around. Other activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding are also popular here, while the best swell for surfing can be found on the outer bar, usually fuelled by winds from offshore.
Stretching from Don McSween Park to Thorn Park, for the entire kilometre length of Miami Beach Gold Coast, is the Gold Coast Oceanway and a splendid foreshore reserve. This area is home to several captivating sculptures including The Sea Lion and The Joggers and a children’s playground. It is also a popular spot for picnics, exercise groups, dog walkers and cyclists.
Not far from the beach is Pizzy Park and the Burleigh Golf Course.
Miami Beach Accommodation
You won’t have to worry about finding places to stay at Miami Beach Gold Coast because there are plenty of options to suit all budgets and preferences.
Within the area you will find everything from motels and holiday apartments to resorts and hotels, so whether you are looking for something for a family of six or just you on your own, you should be able to find something – so long as you book in advance.
One good option is the Diamond Sands Resort which is located on the Gold Coast Highway. This affordable property is extremely clean and possesses a well-equipped kitchen, spotless bathrooms and bedrooms with comfortable bedding. It also has a nice bbq area and swimming pool which children should love.
Not far from the Diamond Sands Resort is the Sunny Gold Coast Miami Getaway. This air-conditioned accommodation is just 500 metres to the beach and offers rooms with a balcony that showcase tremendous sea views. They also come with two bedrooms, a kitchen that has an oven and dishwasher, two bathrooms, both with showers, and a living room with a flat-screen TV. If you stay here you will also be able to enjoy free WI-FI and onsite parking.
Other good options include the Sandrift Beachfront Apartments on Marine Parade, and Santa Monica Apartments on Santa Monica Road.
The former offers rooms with a private balcony that look out to the Coral Sea, as well as a hot tub, outdoor swimming pool, and BBQ facilities. The latter offers a fully equipped kitchen that is furnished with an oven, toaster and a microwave, which makes it perfect for those who want to self cater.
Additionally, the air-conditioned apartments also has comfortable bedrooms and a good-sized living area with a flat-screen TV that offers various streaming services such as Netflix.
Miami Beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland might not be as glitzy and glamorous as its more famous American namesake, however it is a lovely place to visit when you want to relax an unwind.
Miami Beach Restaurants
Whilst at Miami Beach Gold Coast you will be able to eat at two of the region’s most acclaimed venues. For an all-day breakfast or lunch, there is no better place to go than at the Double Barrel Kitchen, which you will find in the Waterway Village. They do a very good steak benny and a delightful smoked salmon croquette which are always served quickly and beautifully plated.
Elsewhere, Two Wise Fish, serves up some great burgers and exceptional fish and chips, while the Lost Palms Brewing Company is the place to go for fantastic craft beers and tasty bar meals.
If you happen to be in town on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you should take the chance to visit the fantastic Miami Marketta. Here you can enjoy superb gastronomic delights from a range of food trucks, as well as enjoy beers, wines and spirits from the bar. They even have regular live entertainment too.
Other Gold Coast Restaurants
Final Thought
Miami Beach on the Gold Coast might not be as glitzy and glamorous as its more famous American namesake, however it is a lovely place to visit when you want to relax and unwind.
Between the beautiful beach, shimmering waters of the Coral Sea, lovely foreshore reserve and iconic Gold Coast Oceanway that runs alongside it, you have everything you could want to make your Queensland beach holiday here a truly memorable experience.
FAQs
How Far Is Miami Beach Gold Coast from Brisbane?
Miami Beach Gold Coast is situated about 90 km from Brisbane. Typically, it will take you about an hour and 45 minutes to drive to this fabulous Queensland beach from the CBD.
Where is Miami Beach Gold Coast located?
Miami Beach is located on the Gold Coast in Queensland. More specifically it resides between South Nobby Hills and North Nobby on a 1km stretch on the southern part of the main beachfront.
Is Miami Beach Gold Coast patrolled?
While The Miami Beach Surf Life Surfing Club is situated on the southern end of the sand, it does not always run surf lifesaving patrols on the beach. For this reason, you should contact them to find out if they are in operation on the day you plan to swim.
