The southern Gold Coast’s famous sandy beaches and world-class surf breaks conclude at Coolangatta, renowned for its casual beach-side culture.

Spend the day surfing, SUP or swimming with the locals at Coolangatta, Greenmount, Duranbah, Palm Beach and into southern Rainbow Bay. A lovely walking trail wraps around Greenmount Hill connecting Greenmount Beach to Rainbow Bay from which you can head up the hill to the exotically named Point Danger and plant one foot in Queensland and another in New South Wales at this lookout which is also a great place for dolphin and whale watching.

Peer back towards the famous Surfers Paradise skyline at sunset whilst dining alfresco at one of many oceanfront cafes, or nestle on the grassy hill at Snapper Rocks and settle in for the annual pro surfing events.

Named after the schooner Coolangatta which was wrecked here in 1846, this suburb exudes an old-school beachside charm. It combines this with oceanfront accommodation, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Flock to Coolangatta for retro festivals and, due to the summer time difference with Tweed Heads, celebrate New Year’s twice. Now that’s a good resolution.