Broadbeach is a suburb within the Gold Coast, Queensland. It is a few tram stops south of Surfers Paradise.
Until our Gold Coast trip in 2022, I didn’t really rate Broadbeach very high and mostly avoided it, only passing through on our way to the airport. This year, our accommodation was a little further south than where we usually stay and the closest supermarket was in Broadbeach. We went for a walk and I was really surprised. I would seriously recommend staying here. For the time we have stayed here, it has been a little more quiet than Surfers with still so much to do.
As I mentioned above the public transport makes it very accessible to the rest of the Gold Coast so if you did want to explore Surfers, you are only a few tram stops away. I’ve seen the 705 bus heading down the street which takes you through Surfers right to Seaworld (last stop). The train will take you to Helensvale where a very short bus ride will drop you off at the theme parks.
Translink have a very informative and easy to use website and app that can help you get to wherever you want to go. I would recommend it. On a side note: you can also purchase your tickets in advance (providing you only want straightforward tickets such as adult or child – things like concession where you will need to show evidence will need to be done in person in QLD when you purchase your GoCard). I purchase our GoCards prior to our arrival in QLD last year. They were delivered to us in Melbourne and we had no trouble with them upon arrival. If you need a concession, there is a Convenience Hub at the airport next to the baggage claim but they don’t operate for long and close relatively early so you would need a flight that will get you here basically during business hours to stand a chance of getting anything organised at the airport.
What about Broadbeach though?
There are a few places I enjoyed exploring and would recommend.
The Oasis Broadbeach Shopping Centre
This whole area is great to explore. Outside on Victoria Avenue there are a range of shops, places to eat, a very small playground for the kids and you may spot a turtle and some fish along the way! The streets around this area are also packed with places to eat and things to do so explore the blocks, beyond Victoria Avenue. There are more shops inside on both sides of Victoria Avenue!
Also within the building you will find Level Up Arcade which is a great way to spend a few hours (or longer depending on how much you want to spend in there). I found $50 (which got a card with $75 credit) lasted more than an hour and my son loved it.
Kurrawa Beach and Park
Kurrawa Beach is located at the end of Victoria Avenue.
This area is really beautiful with lots of things to do. From a casual walk along the beach, to some beach volleyball or why not have a seat at the local beach bar and watch the afternoon go by.
There is a large playground here for the kids and a huge grassed area. It is well worth taking a stroll. If you’re up for a bit of a walk (not long) you could start exploring in the morning, walk along the beach to Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise for some lunch and make your way back along the streets checking out the shops to complete your round trip. Grab some dinner back at Broadbeach before heading back to your accommodation for the night.
The water here is beautiful and if you’re not a huge fan of sitting in the sun, the afternoon will bring shade in parts along the beach from the high rise buildings. Probably not as great if you like the sun but if you prefer to sit in the shade on a hot day like me, then it’s great!
Pacific Fair
Only 900m (ish) from Victoria Avenue is Pacific Fair shopping centre. At the end of the day it is just a big shopping centre but I enjoyed walking around and looking at the shops. They have a huge range of shops in there from “cheaper” market style shops to real fancy ones. I really enjoyed the layout as well. I liked the centre where you could sit back and watch the world go by and there were some other fun seats in there as well. Overall, if you have a bit of time to pass, it is an easy way to spend half a day (or the whole day if you really enjoy going into all the shops!). The Broadbeach South tram stop (last stop on the line at the southern end) is also right outside the shopping centre so again, very easy to get to.
Cascade Gardens
I’d probably only recommend these gardens if you have a small family and are looking for somewhere quiet and well shaded. If you have a car, there is a car park right near the playground. If you are travelling by tram, it is within walking distance from the Florida Gardens Tram Stop. There is plenty of grass for the kids to play. The river is nearby so not a place you could just let the kids run off too far but would be nice if you wanted to have a quiet picnic. From a tourist point of view, I’d probably skip these gardens and head to the large playground along the foreshore instead. It can get very busy but the playground itself is far more impressive with more to do and there is still the parkland around it.
Restaurants
There are so many different restaurants to choose from here. Everywhere we ate was delicious. I have linked some of the reviews below.
Chiangmai Thai 2779 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach
George’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant 1/27 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
