Geo Travel Blog

Upon awaking this morning I promptly headed on over to Coolangatta Beach. A surf-rental client was leaving the area very early in the day and needed me to come by and pick up the equipment (a short board and a minimal) they had been using before they went ahead to check out. Hence I went for precisely that purpose, arriving a little earlier than 7am.

On Australia’s Gold Coast, Coolangatta is about 30 minutes drive south of Surfers Paradise and like Surfers Paradise, has been made famous by some of the world class surf breaks in the area. Surfers Paradise at the north end of the Gold Coast hosts the Goldy’s best beach breaks, the waves form on a shifting sand based ocean floor, picking up lots of swell.

Coolangatta on the other hand is at the south end of the Goldy is more famous for the world class point breaks of Snapper Rocks, Greenmount and Kirra. These points, though not able to pick up as much swell as the northern beaches, definitely host the best waves of the area. On their given day, the waves can bend endlessly around the points. A surfer can kick off a wave due to fatigue rather than the wave ending.

Not this morning though. This morning on arrival, the waves were less than a foot, clean as they get though with no wind to speak of. Having picked up the rented surfboard, I decided to have breakfast at a lovely little cafe on the beach front and see what happens at our beaches when there is no surf.

It didn’t take me long at all to realize just why the Australian Gold Coast, in the northern Queensland state, is among the most frequented beach destinations on the planet. At little past 7 o’clock in the morning the beach front is already thriving with activity; for sure, 24 water helps a lot just as the 26 air temperature does–who wouldn’t be inclined to spend a day on the beach in those conditions?

A few Polynesian-style surfers are out on the water–the stand-up paddling kind–with some longboarders, too. Folks are already taking a dip close to shore between the flag markers, catching tiny breakers that wash right up to the beach.

At Coolangatta beach, the water is met by about 50 meters of clean golden sand. There are already a couple of groups of girls out in their bikinis, improving their tans. Ha, this early it must be their last day of vacation here and they want to get that last bit of sun before they go home.

Along the bike and running paths designated in the park, tiny groups of cyclists and runners whiz by as they carry out their morning fitness program. Way out at sea a pod of whales is playfully splashing around as they follow their migration path, to the great amusement of the beach-bound passersby.

All of this passes before my eyes and ears as I enjoy my latte and eggs benedict which a charming waitress has served me. As one of the locals here, it’s such a privilege to be able to constantly enjoy such scenarios–which others fly from the other side of the planet to take in. Hopefully you’ll become one of those many visitors to our area, as there is really no better place to go!

Damian Papworth understands that for holidays in the sun, with warm water, golden beaches and sun drenched days, nothing beats the Queensland Gold Coast.