Main Beach Travel Guide

Gold Coast

Southport which includes a sandy beach, swimming and tropical scenes
Main Beach
Main Beach
Southport which includes central business district, a beach and a high-rise building
Sea World showing a pond, a water park and rides

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 £138 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
£138
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Beautiful and spacious room food was good and staff was kind"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast
Sea World Resort

Sea World Resort

4.5 out of 5
Sea World Drive Main Beach Gold Coast, Main Beach, QLD
The price is £117 per night from 18 Sept to 19 Sept
£117
18 Sept - 19 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Overall great place to stay if you are visiting the Gold Coast. We went during Christmas in July period where there were extra activities for kids and a special dinner buffet: which is a must try. Breakfast offering was abundant and resort appears to be well equipped for a family of 4. Even though ..."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Sea World Resort
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

5 out of 5
94 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach, QLD
The price is £174 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£174
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star 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. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"The hotel is showing its age with most of the furnishing scratched or ripped and needs a refurbishment. Good food, excellent first class service and awesome gym. There was a wedding on, so unfortunately we were not allowed to use the pool and very dissappointing"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
Xanadu Main Beach Resort

Xanadu Main Beach Resort

4.5 out of 5
59 Pacific Street, Main Beach, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (933 reviews)
"Well run property. Great room and amenities. Everything nice, clean and well maintained. Experienced team running the resort style complex. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay"

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Xanadu Main Beach Resort
Novotel Surfers Paradise

Novotel Surfers Paradise

4.5 out of 5
Cnr Surfers Paradise Blvd and Hanlan St, Surfers Paradise, QLD
The price is £86 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
£86
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,237 reviews)
"Great location, close to everything. Clean"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Novotel Surfers Paradise
Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

5 out of 5
6 Orchid Ave Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise, QLD
The price is £110 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£110
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Gold Coast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"This is my second time staying here I highly recommended it. Check in staff are super friendly it’s a great location for families"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences
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

Main Beach featuring general coastal views, a skyscraper and a sandy beach

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 showing a city, a sunset and a sandy beach

Surfers Paradise

Cavill Avenue and Home of the Arts 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
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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 Ian Dipple Lagoon or Cooke Murphy Oval.

Labrador
Gold Coast which includes food, drinks or beverages and outdoor eating

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 which includes a sandy beach, a high-rise building and skyline

Broadbeach

The stunning beaches, first-class casinos and popular shops are notable features of Broadbeach. Make a stop by The Star Gold Coast or The Oasis while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Broadbeach South Light Rail Station to get around town.

Broadbeach
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Carrara

Golf courses, restaurants and beaches highlight some of the noteworthy features of Carrara. Make a stop by People First Stadium or Carrara Sports Complex while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Carrara


Main Beach Travel Guide

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