Melanie’s guidebook
Neighbourhoods
Visit some of the best neighborhoods on the Gold Coast
Miami is where my home is located. It is a small, family friendly suburb that has everything - beach, bars, live music, great eating places, skate park, pool and supermarkets like Coles and Aldi.
18 locals recommend
Miami
Miami is where my home is located. It is a small, family friendly suburb that has everything - beach, bars, live music, great eating places, skate park, pool and supermarkets like Coles and Aldi.
Burleigh Heads is famous for pumping surf breaks, fragrant pine trees, top-notch dining and one-of-a-kind fashion boutiques.
260 locals recommend
Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads is famous for pumping surf breaks, fragrant pine trees, top-notch dining and one-of-a-kind fashion boutiques.
Safe beaches to go swimming
The following are beaches I highly recommend for swimming because they are protected and patrolled by lifeguards. This means they are also popular so if you want a good parking spot you have to get in early :-)
Paradise awaits at Tallebudgera Creek, one of the Gold Coasts most pristine waterways. Tallebudgera Creek is a great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. You will find patrolled beaches on the south side of the creek, outside of the front of the Tallebudgera Recreation Centre. Echo Beach on the North side is another great place to relax and swim and is usually more quiet, but unpatrolled.
167 locals recommend
Tallebudgera Creek
1544 Gold Coast HwyParadise awaits at Tallebudgera Creek, one of the Gold Coasts most pristine waterways. Tallebudgera Creek is a great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. You will find patrolled beaches on the south side of the creek, outside of the front of the Tallebudgera Recreation Centre. Echo Beach on the North side is another great place to relax and swim and is usually more quiet, but unpatrolled.
Rainbow Bay is in the Southern pocket of the Gold Coast situated next to world class surf beaches. The water is beautiful and calm in Rainbow Bay because it is usually protected from the wind. Also very popular so go early if you want a good spot.
36 locals recommend
Rainbow Bay
Rainbow Bay is in the Southern pocket of the Gold Coast situated next to world class surf beaches. The water is beautiful and calm in Rainbow Bay because it is usually protected from the wind. Also very popular so go early if you want a good spot.
Miami Beach is our local beach which we visit often. It's handy because you can usually get a carpark. There are toilets near Santa Monica Ave and at the south end of Miami near the surf club, next door to Piccolo's cafe. There are free bbq's near both of these toilets. If you walk up the hill you can see a great view of the coastline all the way north to Surfers Paradise and south Burleigh and beyond.
37 locals recommend
Miami Beach
Miami Beach is our local beach which we visit often. It's handy because you can usually get a carpark. There are toilets near Santa Monica Ave and at the south end of Miami near the surf club, next door to Piccolo's cafe. There are free bbq's near both of these toilets. If you walk up the hill you can see a great view of the coastline all the way north to Surfers Paradise and south Burleigh and beyond.
Food scene
Local favourite places to eat and drink
Family friendly night markets - food stalls, live music, licensed bar. Has big name touring artists or try Drag Queen Bingo
394 locals recommend
Miami Marketta
23 Hillcrest ParadeFamily friendly night markets - food stalls, live music, licensed bar. Has big name touring artists or try Drag Queen Bingo
Highly regarded vegan/vegetarian restaurant 2 min drive away
35 locals recommend
Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
268 Gold Coast HwyHighly regarded vegan/vegetarian restaurant 2 min drive away
Hide N Seek Espresso
110 Mountain View AveLocal cafe sells excellent coffee and food. Closed Sundays
Thai I Am
1934 Gold Coast HwyLocal Thai takeaway
Local boutique brewery, close to Miami Marketta. Family friendly
13 locals recommend
Lost Palms Brewing Company
11 Oak AveLocal boutique brewery, close to Miami Marketta. Family friendly
Commune Cafe
1844 Gold Coast HwyPopular cafe
Little Itoshin Japanese Dining Bar
110 Mountain View AveDelicious japanese restaurant in our local shopping village
That's Amore
110 Mountain View AvePopular italian restaurant
The Fish House
50 Goodwin TerraceHigh end seafood restaurant in Burleigh
The Collective Palm Beach
1128 Gold Coast HighwayBars
Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery
45 Lemana LnBoutique distillary
Black Hops Brewery
15 Gardenia GroveLocal boutique brewery
Burleigh Pavilion
43 Goodwin TerraceHigh end beachside bar
Mo's Desert Clubhouse
36 Central DrLive music venue - funky space
The Cambus Wallace
2237 Gold Coast HwySmall hip bar
Kid friendly activities
TreeTop Challenge - Adrenaline Park Mt Tamborine
Tamborine Mountain RoadCurrumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
28 Tomewin StPutt Putt Golf Mermaid Beach
2492 Gold Coast Hwy
SkyPoint Observation Deck
9 Hamilton Ave
Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park
Bakers RoadCouran Cove Resort
Tropical Fruit World
29 Duranbah Rd
Broadwater Parklands
Marine Parade
Pizzey Park Skate Park
Bardon AvenueShopping
Places to shop on the Gold Coast
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
2 Hooker BlvdRobina Town Centre
Robina Town Centre DriveSideways Burleigh
1 Santa Maria CtHarbour Town Premium Outlets
147-189 Brisbane RdCity advice
Getting around
Local transport around my area is not the greatest so we recommend hiring a car.
There is a regular bus line that runs up and down the Gold Coast Hwy and it is about a 20min to my place from the closest bus stop. There is a bus that passes closer but only a couple of times a day.
Travelling with kids
Loads of free entertainment. Check https://www.facebook.com/activehealthygc/
There are always free events on the Gold Coast so google search before you arrive if you want to find free events.
Don't miss
Miami Marketta
One of the best family friendly venues on the Gold Coast and 1 min drive from my home. Has live music, food stalls and licensed bar. Go early if you are taking the family (5pm). Can get busy but generally easy to find table (you can make bookings for larger groups).