With over 50 km of pristine beaches, the tourism hot spot of the Gold Coast is a haven for natural beauty with stunning scenery at every turn stretching as far as the eyes can see.
Don’t miss a single view, explore the Gold Coast from these top five coastal lookouts:
1) Q1 SkyPoint Observation Deck, Surfers Paradise
Located 230 metres up on Level 77 of the Q1 Building at 9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, the SkyPoint Observation Deck offers 360-degree views over the city, Gold Coast Hinterland, and the world-famous stunning coastline.
As you take in the views, the SkyPoint bistro and bar offers a delicious buffet breakfast and all-day dining options to suit all palates.
For those with an adventurous streak, view the beauty of the Surfers Paradise coastline and beyond from the outside SkyPoint climb. Choose from a sunrise, daytime, twilight or night-time climb to soak in the 50 shades of Surfers Paradise coast.
A day ticket costs $25 per adult and prices for the climb range from $75 to $105 depending on the time of day. Open Sunday to Thursday 7:30 am to 9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Check the website for early closures due to private events.
2) The Sand Bypass Jetty at The Spit, Southport
Built in 1986, the Sand Bypass Jetty allows you to walk half a kilometre out to sea, with views of South Stradbroke Island across the seaway, which is alive with small craft.
Buried beneath the sand underneath the jetty are the pumps that annually move around half a million cubic metres of sand to South Stradbroke Island to continue its natural way north, keeping the waterway clear.
Watch surfers and bodyboarders paddle across from The Spit to Straddie, often getting a lift from friendly boaters passing by. From this magical spot, you can also observe jet skis skipping and jump through the waves, fishers waiting patiently for a bite, and sunbathers catching rays or frolicking with their pets on the beach.
3) Tumgun Lookout, Burleigh Heads National Park, Burleigh Heads
Enter the park from either Tallebudgera Creek on the south or from north-side Burleigh Heads. The Ocean View walk is sometimes closed due to rockfalls, but the steeper walk through the rainforest will also bring you to the lookout point with views across the ocean and the black basalt rocks below.
Towards the Burleigh side, you’ll see surfers in action catching the world-class waves. Behind you in the rainforest, bush turkeys scratch, and a fish eagle may hover over the ocean. From June to October, humpback whales put on a show as they pass through on their migration route.
4) Hang Gliders Lookout, Tamborine Mountain
After a morning on the beach, pack a picnic basket and travel inland to Robert Sowter Park, 331 Main Western Road, Boyland, where you’ll come to a large grassy area where the embankment clears.
Join the people dotted around with picnic blankets and afternoon snacks as they take in the views from the rim of Tamborine Mountain, 550 metres above sea level. With the buildings of the Gold Coast alight with the slanting rays of the afternoon sun, soak up the atmosphere and watch the hang gliders in action.
5) Elephant Rock Lookout, Currumbin Beach
Head across the sand to the south side of the Currumbin Vikings Surf Club on the beach and climb the steps behind the club to a lookout point on the top of a rock.
See Elephant Rock to the north, Surfers Paradise on the horizon, and Currumbin Creek as it joins the ocean with boats heading out for a day of fishing. Looking south you’ll see the rolling beaches of surfer’s favourite, Kirra Beach. Afterwards, visit the surf club for a cold beverage and a bite to eat with more great views from their veranda.
To take in the stunning views of the Gold Coast with a one-day SEA the Gold Coast Coastal Exploration Tour, book here.