Broadbeach
Gold Coast
Broadbeach is a vibrant recreational beach within an urban shopping hub. With its high-rise backdrop, busy and wide Broadbeach stretches along Old Burleigh Road, almost two kilometres from its southern neighbour, Mermaid Beach, north to bustling Surfers Paradise.
Broadbeach has four patrolled safe swimming areas - marked by Lifeguard Towers 27 (Old Burleigh Road at Margaret Avenue) and 28 (Old Burleigh Road at Kurrawa) both patrolled from 8am to 5pm year round, and Towers 29 (Broadbeach Blvd at Australia Ave) and 30 (Broadbeach Blvd at Broadbeach), both patrolled from 8am to 5pm from November to April and during Queensland school holidays.
For surfers, Broadbeach is an exposed break that has quite consistent surf. Lessons are on offer from Broadbeach Surf School, Go Ride A Wave and the Gold Coast Surf Academy.
Broadbeach incorporates Kurrawa Beach and the glitzy Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club at Tower 28, and low-key Broadbeach Surf Life Saving Club (circa 1935) at Tower 30, with the entire strip flanked by a lush grassy foreshore.
Foreshore parklands run from Pratten Park (with its rugby and soccer facilities) and Kurrawa Park’s grassy beachfront field in the south, to the Neilson Family Park and John Edgerton Parks in the north. Popular with picnickers, dog-walkers, cyclists and exercise groups, the parklands are dotted with all the modern amenities and facilities you might need, including public and disabled toilets, tables with surfboard-shaped seating, shaded barbeques, bike parking, children’s playgrounds, exercise equipment and beach showers.
Broadbeach also provides beach access points with matting and platforms for wheelchairs, supported by an accessible changing facility in Pratten Park (with an adjustable height change table plus a ceiling tracking hoist and shower). To make life even easier, there is ample bike parking and a huge car park at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club.
By Michaela Lyons