Palm Beach Gold Coast: Best Visitors Guide 2025 (UPDATED)

Wonderful Queensland Beach Holiday Destination 92km from Brisbane

 

Palm Beach Gold Coast Queensland Australia Intro Image

 

Table of Contents

Welcome to my tourist holiday guide to Palm 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 Palm Beach Gold Coast?
3. Best Time To Visit Palm Beach Gold Coast
4. What Facilities do they have at Palm Beach Gold Coast?
5. How to get to Palm Beach Gold Coast
6. Things to do at Palm Beach Gold Coast
7. Palm Beach Accommodation
8. Palm Beach Restaurants
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs

Please read this visitor guide all the way until the very end. If you do, it would be awesome if it has inspired you to visit this splendid Gold Coast beach!

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Read Time: 10 Minutes

 

Introduction

It is hard to imagine Palm Beach Gold Coast as the sleep coastal village it once was because today it is a buzzy and trendy suburb that perfectly fuses a chic, urban sense of cool with outstanding natural beauty.

Undoubtedly one of the best beaches to visit on the Gold Coast, Palm Beach possess a spectacular stretch of sand that is perfect for sunbathing and beach walks. Framing it, is the shimmering waters of the Coral Sea which invites locals and holiday makers to enter for relaxing swims and invigorating surfs.

But there is more to the area than just its scintillating coastline. Palm Beach Gold Coast is also a brilliant place to eat, with several exceptional cafes, restaurants and bistros serving cuisine that showcases the best of international flavours. It also has its fair share of excellent coffee shops and bars as well as a fabulous farmer’s market too.

If you are into water, Palmy, as the locals call it, will hold plenty of attraction to you. It’s bordered to the north by Tallebudgera Creek, while Currumbin Creek lies to its south. On its west side is the Coral Sea that eventually leads to the Pacific Ocean, while several canals also flow through this laid-back suburb. All of these waterways make fishing, boating, kayaking and paddleboarding popular activities.

Kids will also love the Palm Beach Parklands, which has a fantastic playground which is pirate-themed and a stoic lagoon. A varied selection of family-friendly hotels, resorts and other tourist accommodation are other features of this wonderful Queensland holiday destination.

 

If you are wanting to sunbathe, swim and surf on hot, sunny days, the best time for you to go to Palm Beach Gold Coast is during the summer, which runs from December to February in Queensland.

 

Where is Palm Beach Gold Coast?

Palm Beach is a popular beach on the Gold Coast in South East Queensland. It is located about 92km south of Brisbane and about 10km north of Tweed Heads in New South Wales.

The beach at Surfer’s Paradise is about a 25 minute drive north, while Currumbin Beach and the famous Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is just a couple of km south of it.

The traditional owners of the land on which the beach and suburb reside are the Yugambeh people.

 

Palm Beach distance to other Gold Coast Beaches

  • Currumbin (2km)
  • Miami Beach (6km)
  • Kirra (7km)
  • Burleigh Heads (8km)
  • Coolangatta (8km)
  • Knobbys Beach (8km)
  • Tallebudgera Creek (9km)
  • Mermaid Beach (10km)
  • Greenmount Beach (10km)
  • Rainbow Bay (10km)
  • Broadbeach (12km)
  • Main Beach (18km)
  • Surfer's Paradise (20km)
  • Best Time To Visit Palm Beach Gold Coast

    Like most other Gold Coast beaches, Palm Beach is a destination you can visit all year round. However, certain times of the year might be suitable for you to go there depending on your preferences for factors like weather, what activities you want to do and how busy it will be.

    If you are wanting to sunbathe, swim and surf on hot, sunny days, the best time for you to go to Palm Beach Gold Coast is during the summer, which runs from December to February in Queensland. However, while the temperature can often top 33 degrees Celsius (almost 92 degrees Fahrenheit), humidity levels can often top 70%, which means it can be sweltering and there would be a high chance of getting sunburnt if you don’t Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide. Additionally, as it is the rainy season, your sunny beach day could be ruined by a heavy storm or even monsoon, so you may need to have one eye on the clouds.

    The summer is also the busiest time of the year on the Gold Coast due to overseas visitors from countries like England and the USA which are experiencing winter at that time. It is also the main school holiday in Australia which contributes to higher numbers of people hitting the beach. For this reason, you might want to time your visit to the shoulder season either side of summer, particularly the months of October to November and March to April. At this time, you will find the weather to be very pleasant and less humidity. There will also be fewer people on the beach at this time than in the summer months and the prices of hotels, resorts and accommodation should be much cheaper.

    Unlike other beach destinations in Australia, Palm Beach Gold Coast is still a nice place to visit in the winter months. The water temperature is often warm enough for many people to go for a swim, while there are still plenty of sunny days, with temperatures in the early 20 degrees, to be able to enjoy sunbathing or beach walking without shivering.

    As you would expect, throughout the year, the weekends are far more popular in terms of visitor numbers than the week days (School and public holidays excepted).

     

    View of the sand at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland

     

    What Facilities do they have at Palm Beach Gold Coast?

    Palm Beach Gold Coast has an excellent range of facilities that allow visitors to enjoy a fantastic day of fun in the sun. The beach is patrolled by three lifesaving towers which means you can swim safely in between the flags throughout the length of the sand.

    Additionally you will find public and disabled toilets, showers, barbecue areas, shaded picnic seating and tables which means you can set yourself up for the day.

    Other facilities and amenities include secure bike racks, viewing platform, parking including accessible spaces, exercise equipment and a children’s playground.

    The beach is also one of the most dog-friendly beaches on the Gold Coast.

     

    Palm Beach Gold Coast is a veritable playground for locals and tourists who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, so you’ll not want for things to do there.

     

    How to get to Palm Beach Gold Coast

    Palm Beach Gold Coast is a very easy destination to get to if you have a car. From Brisbane or destinations further north like Redcliffe, the Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay and all the way up to Cairns, or from Tweed Heads and the destinations further south in New South Wales towards Sydney, you simply take the M1 until you see the signs to Palm Beach Avenue. If you don’t have access to a car you can hire one from the Gold Coast Airport, Brisbane Airport, Sunshine Coast Airport or Ballina Airport in New South Wales.

    If you are already on the Gold Coast and don’t fancy hiring a car you can always catch an Uber. Alternatively, several bus routes will take you to the beach including the 700, 765, 777. Check out Translink for up-to-the minute bus timetable information.

     

    Palm Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations

  • Brisbane (92km)
  • Beaudesert (70km)
  • Toowoomba (195km)
  • Mt Tamborine (52km)
  • Mooloolaba (192km)
  • Noosa (242km)
  • Hervey Bay (381km)
  • Ipswich (109km)
  • Warwick (191km)
  • Yeppoon (771km)
  • Mackay (1062km)
  • Townsville (1444km)
  • Cairns (1790km)
  • Things to do at Palm Beach Gold Coast

    Palm Beach Gold Coast is a veritable playground for locals and tourists who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, so you’ll not want for things to do there.

    One of the most popular pastimes is swimming and there are three lifeguard towers in which to do this, so long as you swim between the flags. These areas are patrolled by the Pacific and Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Clubs, which generally operate between 8 am and 5 pm every day.

    Aside from swimming, surfing is a hugely popular activity here too. The beach is included within the World Surfing Reserve and accommodates superb beach breaks that are perfect for short or long boarding, body surfing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. Furthermore, seasoned surfers tend to head out to the Palm Beach Artificial Reef, where the waves are a bit more thrilling, albeit challenging.

    Stretching for 4km, The north facing beach is a lovely beach to walk on. There is even an off-leash area for dogs to run free at the southern end of Palm Beach Gold Coast. Away from the sand, stunning parklands make a great spot for a game of cricket, a barbecue or to practice yoga.

    You will also find a brilliant pirate ship playground which feature masts and tall sails, maps that will lead you to hidden treasures and other aspects like cannons and planks that will keep kids entertained for hours.

     

    View of holiday accommodation at Palm Beach Gold Coast Australia

     

    Palm Beach Accommodation

    You’ll be pleased to read there are plenty of holiday accommodation options at Palm Beach Gold Coast you can base yourself at. Ranging from resorts and hotels to short term apartments and Airbnb rentals, they cater to various preferences in terms of budget, locality and taste.

    One of the best places to stay at Palm Beach Gold Coast is the Palm Beach Hotel. It is located just off the Gold Coast Highway, less than a two minute walk to the beach and offers comfortable three star digs that also place you in close proximity to shops and restaurants.

    Not far away from there, the Red Star Palm Beach is another good choice. Their rooms feature comfortable beds and a good range of amenities. They also offer fast check-in, which is always much appreciated when you have lots of luggage with you and another good location on the Gold Coast Highway.

    If you would prefer to stay in apartments the Crystal Pacific Palm Beach should fit the bill nicely. It comprises a group of stylishly renovated apartments that possess elegant decor, contemporary amenities and easy access to both Palm Beach and Tallebudgera Creek.

    Other options to consider include Princess Palm on the Beach and the Royal Palm Resort on the Beach which both have incredible beachfront locations.

     

    With coastal suburbs like Palm Beach falling within its boundaries, it is not hard to see why the Gold Coast is such a fantastic place for a Queensland family holiday.

     

    Palm Beach Restaurants

    When it comes to places to eat in Palm Beach Gold Coast there are plenty of options available. Within the area, and particularly on Gold Coast Highway and Palm Beach Avenue there are several funky cafes and cool restaurants that serve up a wide range of cuisines to suit all palettes.

    One of the best options to eat at any time of the day is PBA Palm Beach Avenue. It is open from around 7am to at least 10pm every day except Monday and serves up a terrific menu of classic dishes that appeal to all tastes. At weekends they do a fabulous bottomless brunch (which includes mimosas!) and they have an excellent 3 course set menu for dinner every night.

    Elsewhere, the Dune Cafe is a bright and comfortable eatery that provides picturesque views which can be enjoyed for breakfast through to lunch. Their menu focuses on organic, locally sourced, dishes that include a delicious Tropical Maple Waffle which is a perfect way to start the day. Their Korean BBQ Brisket burger is a real winner too!

    For dinner, Balboa Italian Restaurant offers a terrific range of pizzas and pastas, while Mirrors Thai is a great place to go for a green curry or Pad Thai.

     

    Other Gold Coast Restaurants

  • Yamagen (Surfer's Paradise)
  • Tommy's Italian (Currumbin)
  • Little Truffle (Mermaid Beach)
  • Rick Shores (Burleigh Heads)
  • Nineteen At The Star (Broadbeach)
  • Ally Chow (Nobbys Beach)
  • Siblings (Coolangatta)
  • Miami Tavern (Miami)
  • Kiyomi (Broadbeach)
  • Kirra Beach Hotel (Kirra)
  • Eddy + Wolff (Robina)
  • Restaurant Labart (Burleigh Heads)
  • The Salt Mill (Currumbin)
  • Final Thought

    With coastal suburbs like Palm Beach falling within its boundaries, it is not hard to see why the Gold Coast is such a fantastic place for a Queensland family holiday. While the likes of Surfer’s Paradise, Main Beach and Kirra all have their own special drawcards, there is something of an X factor about Palm Beach Gold Coast that puts it right up there with the best in the city.

    Combining excellent facilities with a breathtaking natural setting, this is a place that is perfectly set up for you to rest, relax and de-stress from the pressures of your daily life.

     

    Full length view of Palm Beach Gold Coast Beach Queensland

     

    FAQs

    What is Palm Beach Gold Coast known for?

    Palm Beach Gold Coast is known for its excellent opportunities for boating, beach walks, fishing, paddleboarding and surfing. While you are there it is also worth checking out the Palm Beach Parklands which is a terrific pirate-themed playground that kids will love.

     

    How Long is Palm Beach Gold Coast?

    Palm Beach Gold Coast stretches for 4km. It is a north-east facing beach that is bordered to the north by Tallebudgera Creek and Burleigh Heads, and Currumbin Creek and Currumbin Point to the south. Both of the creeks have rock groynes that extend out towards the surf zone to create the defined beach ends.

     

    Is Palm Beach Gold Coast dog-friendly?

    The great thing about Palm Beach Gold Coast is that it is a fabulous place to take your dog. From the top of Palm Beach all the way down to the first set of red and yellow flags is designated as an off-leash for your four-legged friends.

     

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    Spencer

    Hi! My name is Spencer and I have created Beach Scenes to help you find the perfect travel destination for your beach holiday in Queensland.

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