A Couples' Guide To Surfers Paradise

Just say the name “Surfers Paradise” and it will likely conjure up many superlatives, but it’s hard to argue that the Gold Coast’s most famous beachside community is undoubtedly energetic, dynamic, and has something for everyone. Blessed with long golden sand beaches, a beachfront boulevard teeming with people, beachside markets, world class dining, bars and clubs, it’s no wonder Surfers Paradise is regarded as the heart of Australia's Gold Coast. But when it comes to a romantic getaway, what should loved up couples put on their “must do” list while staying? Here’s our top picks. 

Stay Somewhere Fabulous 

New to the lineup of accommodation options, opening its doors late last year and ideal for couples, is The Ruby Collection. Enjoying a prime location in the heart of Surfers Paradise, it's a glamorous new apartment hotel which ticks all the boxes for holidaymakers looking to combine romance with a beach holiday - and plenty of style. The property has views of both the Gold Coast Hinterland and Gold Coast beaches from luxury accommodations ranging from one-bedroom suites through to a 3-bedroom sky suite with jaw dropping views; indulgent for a couple, and great for several couples enjoying a weekend away. Besides being a wonderful place to stay, The Ruby Collection has plenty of entertainment on offer by day and by night for couples, including cocktail making, wine and cheese tasting, and live music, with the Stones Bar and Grill a great location for an intimate venue for a special dinner for two if you can tear yourself away from your private balcony. And who doesn’t want to relax by the pool with a cocktail or two and their significant other? 

Read our full review of The Ruby Collection here.

Go For A Long Walk 

From the steps where the famous Surface Paradise sign stands proudly, there are several options for couples who want to get out and about on foot and soak up the beach views. Heading north, The Spit is around eight kilometres, and can be walked on the beach if the tide is low, or via the beachfront walkway. En route you can take a detour into Macintosh Island Park, an oasis in the midst of high rises which has been established for many years, and is a popular spot for a picnic. Besides large trees providing excellent shade, there is also a lovely cascading stream running through the park which is home to a number of birds including peacocks. Continuing north, The Spit is located north of Main Beach and stretches all the way up to the Gold Coast Seaway, a permanent sand structure which separates the Gold Coast Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean. Most of the beach along The Spit is uncrowded, and at the northern end there is an off-leash dog area if you are travelling with a fur baby, and several surfing spots. Heading south, you can walk all the way to Miami; and if you’re really feeling adventurous, climb over the small headland at the southern end, and you can continue all the way to Burleigh Headland!

Get Involved With The Local Scene 

Surfers may be the eating, drinking and partying hub of the Gold Coast, but there is are plenty of other things to see and do in this popular beachside community. The Surfers Paradise beachfront markets have been setting up for more than 20 years every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings (with extra nights at special times of the year), starting from 4pm, and located on the foreshore at the end of Cavill Mall. You might pick up an unusual and romantic memento for your significant other. For cultural pursuits, HOTA, or Home of the Arts, is surrounded by parkland with the Surfers Paradise skyline as a backdrop. This is the place to go for live entertainment and art, boasting an outdoor stage for live events, a cafe, cinemas and an art gallery. If you want to keep up with your yoga practice, have an indulgent facial or massage, or you are looking to buy some cool gifts such as crystals, tarot cards and unique jewellery, head to Chameleon New Age Salon. Located on Surfers Paradise Boulevard, opposite the Chevron Renaissance shopping centre, this stunning multi-level space is a community hub devoted to all things wellness; you can also get a great hair cut or colour, have a coffee or organic tea, and enjoy psychic readings. 

Eat, Drink And Be Merry

Surfers Paradise is blessed with a lineup of impressive dining venues and bars, from hit and run street side eateries and cafés, to silver service restaurants with a view. As locals, just a few of our favourites for a romance evening include El Patio de Cuba, tucked away inside the Chevron Renaissance complex, and featuring an authentic menu, occasional live salsa, and plenty of mojitos and Cuban rum. New to the Surfers lineup is White Rhino which opened its doors in August last year. This two-storey restaurant and bar, located in the Circle on Cavill precinct, has unusual features including lush greenery, ceiling-high indoor trees, a running waterfall and white rhinos, along with menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a theatrical bar including a great cocktail list. If you’re looking for dinner with a view, Seascape Restaurant & Bar comes with a price tag but offers uninterrupted views of the beach and Pacific Ocean, with semi-casual and more formal options. Steampunk Surfers Paradise sits beneath the Hilton Hotel on Surfers Paradise Boulevard, with an uber-cool Victorian era decor and a cocktail list including it’s famous Espresso Martinis. And on a balmy night the low-level rooftop bar at The Island boasts a retro-styled cocktail bar, seating in romantic nooks, and heaters for the cooler months, along with DJs and live music. 

Best of the Rest

Surfers’s Paradise is famous for sunsets, and one of the best places to enjoy them is from your Ruby Collection apartment, especially if you’re booked on a high floor. If you fancy seeing the sun set at ground level, however, there are plenty of options. Two of the best include sitting on the beach after having your photo taken beneath the Surfers Paradise Beach sign at the end of Cavill Avenue, or taking some refreshments to Budd’s Beach to enjoy on picnic tables, as the sun sets behind the Hinterland and Nerang River. If you fancy a nostalgic trip back to the days of your youth, a bowling date with neon-lit alleys might fit the bill, and is available at Surfers Paradise Tenpin Bowling Centre. For a romantic post-dinner gelato, try Gelatissimo located on Cavill Mall, which has a lineup of mouthwatering award-winning flavours, including a new thirst-quenching gelato made from Bundaberg Ginger Beer.