Coolangatta Beach: Swimming, Parking and Surf Guide

Coolangatta Beach is a patrolled beach at the southern end of the Gold Coast, right on the Queensland and New South Wales border. It faces north, so it is more sheltered from the east to south-east swell than most Gold Coast beaches, which makes it a good pick for a swim.

The sand sits along Queen Elizabeth Park, with a row of cafes and restaurants just across the road. You can swim, surf, fish, dive, have a barbecue or just walk the foreshore.

Swimming at Coolangatta Beach

Lifeguards patrol the beach from Tower 3, on Marine Parade near the Coolangatta Surf Club, from 8 am to 5 pm every day of the year. Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrols can close when conditions are dangerous or during maintenance, so check the City of Gold Coast beach page before you go.

The beach is also a popular spot for fishing and diving.

Surfing at Coolangatta

Coolangatta is part of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve and suits beginner and intermediate surfers. The council’s advice for surfers is “If in doubt, don’t paddle out.”

Queen Elizabeth Park and the foreshore

The parkland behind the sand has public toilets, barbecues, tables, shade structures and beach showers, so you can stay all day without leaving the beach. The Oceanway path runs along the beach for walkers, riders and skateboarders.

On sunny winter days you may spot dolphins and migrating whales from the shore.

Staying safe at the beach

The patrolled area is the stretch between the red and yellow flags near Tower 3. Set up your towels near the flags so lifeguards can see you, and keep young children within arm’s reach in the water. Outside 8 am to 5 pm there are no lifeguards, so save swims for patrol hours.

Conditions change from day to day. If patrols are closed or the surf looks rough, stay on the sand, and ask the lifeguards if you are unsure where to swim.

Eating and drinking nearby

The main commercial area is across the road from the beach, with cafes and restaurants within a short walk of the sand. That makes it easy to swim in the morning, have lunch in town and come back for the afternoon patrol hours.

If you would rather eat on the beach, the parkland has barbecues and tables. Bring your own food and drinks.

A simple day at Coolangatta

• Morning: Park at Roughton Park or near the surf club, then walk the Oceanway.
• Midday: Swim between the flags, then eat at a cafe across the road or at the barbecues in Queen Elizabeth Park.
• Afternoon: Stay for a surf if you are a beginner or intermediate, or sit in the shade structures until patrols finish at 5 pm.
• Winter: Watch the water for dolphins and migrating whales, especially on sunny days.
• Before you leave: Check the parking signs and line markings again so you do not return to a fine.

Planning your visit

• Best time: Patrolled hours (8 am to 5 pm) are the safest time to swim. Winter days are good for whale and dolphin watching.
• What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat and water. Check parking signs before you leave the car.
• Food: Cafes and restaurants are in the commercial area across the road from the beach.
• Dogs: Coolangatta Beach is a dog prohibited area.
• Accessibility: Accessible parking is available at Roughton Park. The council’s interactive beach map shows accessibility details for the toilets and facilities.

Getting there and parking

Coolangatta is about 80 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD.

Parking at the surf club is limited, and there is on-street parking in nearby streets. Check the signs and line markings for time limits. The Roughton Park car park is opposite 20 Marine Parade, on both sides of Kirra Surf Life Saving Club. It is free, open 24 hours a day, has accessible spaces and holds 150 to 199 cars.

Translink buses run along Griffith Street, one street back from the beach. Check Translink for current routes and times.

Nearby

• Burleigh Heads Beach – another patrolled Gold Coast beach to the north.
• All beaches – more beach days around South East Queensland.
• Gold Coast – more places to visit on the Gold Coast.

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