If you’re ever in need of a giant parmi, icy cold Chardonnay and 180 degree ocean views, your best bet is most likely a surf club. The Queensland institutions have long been the destination of choice for a chill night out or a Sunday arvo session where thongs are completely acceptable.

While all this is still true of everyone’s favourite beachside venues, Kurrawa Surf Club has just changed the game in a big way. You may have noticed the (huge) sleek new building that slowly but surely made its presence known on Old Burleigh Road in Broadbeach. So fancy.

The old building (where yours truly once spent quite a bit of time behind the bar) is no more but the newly opened club is somewhat of a masterpiece. Stone steps lead into the spacious dining room past a shiny new, wine-on-tap serving bar that now also offers delicious cocktails (for only $12.95 a pop).

There’s ocean views for days from EVERY corner of the club including the upstairs function room where you’re welcome to marry your beloved or celebrate hitting the big 3-0 (or any other number really) in surfy style.

Kurrawa’s food game also got a little bit more golden with the addition of a Spanish charcoal oven that pumps out all your favourite meat treats along with pant-splitting delights like Twice Cooked Pork Belly and Portuguese-style BBQ Chicken.

A burger bar is now a thing (hallelujah) with five-star options along the lines of Karaage Chicken, Crumbed Flounder and Middle Eastern Lamb. Seriously the menu is as long as your arm, better get preppin’.

Oh and there’s a hot seafood platter for two (or not) which is all the good things in the world.

Summer sure is shaping up to be a fun time gang and Broady might just be the place to be seen.

LOCATION: Beachside on Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
HOURS: 8am to 10.30pm Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday and 8am to 11.30pm Friday and Saturday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith.

Is there anything more quintessentially Queensland than finding yourself on the deck of one of our brilliant surf clubs, a cold libation within arm’s reach, a light breeze ruffling your hair, and unopposed vistas of the most golden sand and teal looking ocean before you? It sounds almost like a dream — but it’s not. It’s just what you can expect when you decide to visit any one of these outstanding and often iconic spots to take a load off your feet and enjoy some much-deserved drinks and eats.

Our coastline is dotted with surf clubs, so choosing one to stroll into off the beach shouldn’t be a hard choice. And quite frankly, it’s not. However, some simply rise to the top — the crème de la crème. Life’s too short for just good surf clubs; we insist you visit only the best surf clubs. Here’s our pick of these said fine establishments running from South to North.

Greenmount Beach Surf Club
The laidback vibes of Coolangatta are the best accompaniment to any day trip down south. Finding yourself at Greenmount Surf Club will give you unsurpassed views back along our coastline in a northerly direction taking in the splendour of cityscape blended in with pristine ocean and hinterland views. Grab a cold one, grab the famous Greenmount Seafood Basket, settle in, and don’t expect to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Where: Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC
Blissful and removed Currumbin Beach is always a great spot to head to for some time on the sand. It’s also the suburb with one of the Coast’s most iconic surf clubs, which has sat alongside Elephant Rock for a little over a century and perched right above the Pacific Ocean. After a recent renovation, the venue is as welcoming as ever and invites you to take a seat and watch the tide roll in during the day — or come by of an evening to enjoy a mixed seafood taste plate and regular open mic nights.
Where: 741 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Club Talle Surf Club
As far as Palm Beach goes these days, it’s quite the happening place to be. However, if you find yourself in this vibrant neighbourhood and desire a more tranquil and down-to-earth setting, this is your ultimate go-to. There’s always meal specials (but we’re a fan of the Wagyu Beef Burger), live entertainment, and promotions happening literally all the time; and if that wasn’t reason enough, let these guys take care of getting you to and from home with their courtesy bus running seven days a week.  
Where: 1505 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Club
Although located on the highly sought-after millionaire’s row of Hedges Avenue, this club ensures they are for everyone — this includes the little ones, with their very own playroom and Kids Eat Free Monday specials. For the bigger ones, the venue boasts daily food specials (come at me Tuesday Steak Night) — including their much-loved Sunday International Food Night with a selection of flavours from around the globe for just $19 — big screen live sports coverage, and regular trivia nights. More than enough reasons to visit — and keep visiting! 
Where: 172 Hedges Avenue, Mermaid Beach

Kurrawa Surf Club
Whether you’re a local or visitor, this multi-awarded venue is only steps off the sand, and we think it is the textbook place to grab food and drinks any time of the day. The fire-baked pizzas here are next-level with the dough even freshly made in-house! For whatever reason you find yourself in this energetic suburb, take the leisurely stroll to the beach and you’ll find there are certainly no wasted minutes when you visit Kurrawa Surf Club. Gazing out with a stupendous 230-degree ocean outlook, we think you’ll no doubt agree.
Where: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach

Surfers Paradise SLSC
The recent renovation to this 100-year surf club has only added to the allure of dropping in for a bite and sip. Sitting pride opposite the beach in the heart of Surfers Paradise, this is the prime spot to escape the hustle and bustle, experience some warm Queensland hospitality, and rub shoulders with some of the friendliest locals around. Beyond some incredible food (trust us, have the Outback Parma) and drinks, which rivals nearby restaurants and cafes, you’re spoilt with exceptional panoramas of the Pacific Ocean — one of the best spots on the Coast if you’re hankering for a glimpse of a whale or two this whale watching season.
Where: Corner of Hanlan Street & The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Southport Surf Life Saving Club
When is visiting Main Beach ever a bad idea? This often-quieter end of the coast gives you a blank canvas to enjoy your own stretch of sand — and an all-round fantastic surf club to visit as well. Open seven days for breakfast (we strongly recommend the Lifesavers Breakfast!), lunch, and dinner Southport SLSC provides you the opportunity to enjoy some time in the water soaking up a little sun, before towelling off and getting into any one of their top-notch dishes. An impeccable lunch scenario by anyone’s standards!
Where: Macarthur Parade, Main Beach

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

Well now, aren’t we the lucky ones for being fantastically spoilt with endless glorious beaches here on our golden coast. Kilometre after kilometre of pristine sand awaits you around every outcrop, headland, and creek; creating the rather envious — and ever-present — predicament of what beach you might lay your towel on.

It’s the finer details, the nuances if you will, which separate the good from the great. By that we mean not just the beach itself — but the amazing places you can grab something to eat/drink from nearby! As official beach experts, we take great pleasure in outlining the finest patches of shoreline on the Gold Coast for your sun-kissed reading pleasure.

Main Beach
For all readers living north of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach is a huge drawcard when it comes to getting yourself some beach time. And there is little reason why you wouldn’t find yourself here on a perfect day with your favourite book and sunblock. This quiet and sprawling section of sand is backed by some of the Coast’s most luxurious resorts before finally coming to an end at The Spit, which offers you peeks of South Stradbroke Island. Often empty and within striking distance of most northern suburbs, this is a stellar choice for spending an hour or three.

Eat: The Seafood buffet at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is a must-try either for lunch or dinner. Open to outside guests of the resort and serving the freshest seafood straight from the trawlers.
Do: Peruse the shops at Marina Mirage, then walk to Fisherman’s Wharf (affectionately known as Fisho’s) for a sunset drink overlooking the magificent Broadwater filled with yachts in the Marina. If you’re out late, take a moonlit walk along the beach after dinner to finish off a perfect evening.

Surfers Paradise
The one and only. One of the main reasons why tourism exploded here in the latter part of the last century was indeed Surfers Paradise. A suburb that is a lot of things to a lot of people, but almost certainly the most recognisable part of our coastline for visitors. Although the busy end of town, you will always find a piece of the beach to yourself — finding a car park however is a different affair altogether (catch the tram)! The pedestrianised pathway along the beachfront is the perfect opportunity to pull out your skateboard or dust off your roller skates/blades and experience the beach, in a slightly different way, whilst being active. Regardless of the crowds, if the weather is playing ball, the beach here is one of our best.

Eat: There’s a myriad of options here, however, we suggest you head to Mos Burger (a stones-throw from the beach) to tuck into some Japanese-inspired burger goodness.
Do: We all know shopping is a type of therapy and therefore good for you. Once you’ve had your share of sun, sea, and sand why not shower off and head to Paradise Centre or Soul Boardwalk – you’ll find some of the Coast’s best retailers and sweet ice-cream shops perfect for a hot day.

Broadbeach
Further down you’ll find Broadbeach, which can be defined as being a slightly more relaxed and slower version of the vibrant Surfers Paradise stretch. For a morning walk with some incredible sunrise light, this is where you need to be at. When you’ve had enough of getting sand in all of your small places — there’s a spattering of green areas and parks with some great BBQ facilities and seating areas. Still, with its fair share of extravagant looking high rises the shadows begin to creep across the beach (depending on the time of year) around the 3pm mark. By this time, it could very well be time to grab a cocktail anyway…

Eat: A Gold Coast institution, Elk Espresso is the answer to all of your breakfast and lunch dreams. And being positioned on the corner of Oasis Shopping Centre and merely metres from the beach is nothing short of perfection in our eyes.
Do: Feeling like the midday sun is getting to you? Head inside the Oasis and you’ll be met with a tonne of shopping options, making it a tough call to go back to the beach.

Burleigh
The jewel in the crown? Quite possibly, and for good reason. Burleigh has, we think, exceeded all expectations of what a modern Gold Coast suburb should be. With its admixture of surfy/bohemian/laid back vibes and a plethora of shops and eating options, you can easily spend a whole day here and want for nothing. Lush greenery meets golden shoreline as the iconic point and National Park frame the beach at the southern end before it winds a parallel line with the Pacific Ocean towards Miami Hill in the north. Take the day off, grab your sunscreen and put your phone on silent, because this part of our coast is truly a special one.

Eat: With the same eye-watering view, Rick Shores, The Burleigh Pavilion and The Tropic are the ideal places to grab something to eat, and or drink, and remember how lucky you are to be here.
Do: There’s no arguing that the beach here is fantastic. Do as the locals do and head up Burleigh Hill as the sun begins to set and you get to savour those last parts of sunlight as it cascades towards the horizon.

Tallebudgera Creek
Controversial inclusion or not, being not technically a beach in the sense it isn’t backed by the ocean, Tallebudgera Creek beach is still one of the best places you can get some sun on your skin whilst submerging yourself in pristine water. Being a creek with shallow sand bars, the way the sunlight enters and refracts around the water always provides you with so many different variations of the colour blue! The real magic about this location is the fact you have two different sides of the creek to explore; both have their advantages for when the sun, and wind, start to move throughout the day.

Eat: Nearby Custard Canteen is the creation of husband-wife duo Ben & Ursula Watts of Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bakehouse fame. Need we say more?
Do: Take a wander down into nearby Palm Beach and treat yourself to some rooftop action either at Frida Sol or Las Palmas.

Coolangatta
Having some of the squeakiest and whitest sand along our 70km coastline, Coolangatta Beach was a dead fire inclusion on this list. Unbeknown to some people, the north-facing aspect of this beach, provides some great protection from the southerly winds – meaning no unexpected blasts of sand to the face. Much like Burleigh Headland, Greenmount adds a rustic green backdrop to the beach and acts as a great lookout so you can appreciate the nearby surfing going down at Rainbow Bay. If surfing isn’t your thing then you may well be lucky enough to catch glimpses of dolphins which are known to gracefully glide their way past on any given day.

Eat: Amble your way from the beach to Little Cooly just inside The Strand, with some much-loved pasta and pizza and their signature Sip Sessions from 3pm daily. It’d be rude not to!
Do: Take a stroll to nearby Kirra, walk to the top of the hill to truly enjoy the views of the Gold Coast from a southern perspective. Once you’ve done that, and burned enough calories, it’s time to head to Ottimo for some of the best handmade gelato this side of Italy.

Words by Alex Mitcheson.