Currumbin Alley: Surf, Creek Mouth, Parking and Dogs

Currumbin Alley is a surf break and creek mouth on the southern Gold Coast, where Currumbin Creek meets the sea at the northern end of Currumbin Beach. It is one of the Gold Coast’s best-known waves, and the sheltered water just inland of the breaking waves suits stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.

Parklands with toilets, tables and beach showers sit across the road on Pacific Parade, and the Oceanway runs along the creekfront.

Surfing at Currumbin Alley

The City of Gold Coast describes the Alley as one of the coast’s most exciting surf breaks, and a good place to learn. There are three take-off zones.

• Currumbin Rock (“Behind the Rock”): steeper and more intense.
• The Alley: the most consistent wave, and popular with longboarders.
• Lacey’s: north of the creek entrance.

In large south-east swells and ideal conditions, all three sections can be surfed. The City of Gold Coast advises “If in doubt, don’t paddle out.”

Can you swim at Currumbin Alley?

Not in a flagged swimming area. The lifeguard tower here, Tower 12 at Pacific Parade and Duringan Street, is surveillance only and has no flagged swimming area. Lifeguards are on duty from 8 am to 5 pm every day of the year, but patrols can close for dangerous conditions or maintenance.

For a patrolled swim, go about 500 metres south to Tower 11 at Currumbin Beach. The protected water just inland of the waves at the creek mouth is set aside for paddling and kayaking rather than flagged swimming.

Paddling at Currumbin Creek

Currumbin Creek runs east from the rainforest hinterland to the sea, and the Alley is where it meets the ocean. The sheltered water just inland of the breaking waves is a protected spot for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and other water sports.

If you would rather swim in fresh water, the creek’s upper reaches have the swimming holes at Currumbin Rock Pools.

Facilities

• Toilets, tables, showers and shade: in the parklands across the road.
• The Oceanway: a path along the creekfront with seating, bike racks, lighting and beach showers.
• Food: a retail area with cafes and boutiques is nearby.
• Accessibility: the City of Gold Coast has an interactive facilities map, mobility maps and an accessible toilet map on its Currumbin Alley page.

Is Currumbin Alley dog friendly?

Only in part. Dogs are not allowed within 200 metres of flagged swimming areas, and off-leash exercise is allowed only in designated areas, which are marked on the council’s dog exercise area map.

A simple plan for the day

Start at the Alley with a surf or a paddle on the creek side while the water is sheltered. Use the beach showers across the road afterwards, then walk the Oceanway along the creekfront and pick up something from the cafes nearby.

If the family wants a flagged swim, drive or walk about 500 metres south to Currumbin Beach and set up between the red and yellow flags at Tower 11, where lifeguards patrol from 8 am to 5 pm. The beaches to the north and south, including Kirra Beach and Burleigh Heads Beach, make an easy second stop.

Planning your visit

• Cost: free.
• Lifeguards: 8 am to 5 pm daily at Tower 12, surveillance only.
• What to bring: a board or paddle gear if you have it, sun protection and a towel. There are beach showers nearby.
• Swimming: stay between the flags at Tower 11 on Currumbin Beach.

Getting there and parking

Currumbin Alley is about 75 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD, on Pacific Parade at Duringan Street, Currumbin.

Parking at the surf club is limited, and there is on-street parking in the surrounding streets. Check the signs and line markings before you leave the car.

Translink buses run along Pacific Parade at Currumbin Beach. Route 700 (Tweed Heads to Burleigh Heads) stops at Teemangum Street at Kropp Park and at Currumbin Hill on the Gold Coast Highway. Plan the exact trip with the Translink journey planner.

Nearby

• Currumbin Beach – patrolled swimming at Tower 11 and Elephant Rock, just south.
• Palm Beach – the next beach north across the creek.
• Currumbin Rock Pools – creek swimming up the valley.
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – native animals and shows.
• Tallebudgera Creek – swimming and paddling to the north.
• Snapper Rocks and Duranbah Beach – more surf breaks to the south.
• All beaches, surfing spots and Gold Coast places.

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