Miami Beach

The Gold Coast's Miami Beach is a pristine kilometre-long white-sand strip, stretching from Mick Schamburg Park atop Miami Headland, north to Nobby’s Head.

The headland offers some protection from southerly breezes, however, rips tend to be present on this beach so stick to patrolled areas for safe swimming. The best surf breaks are on the outer bar, best fuelled by offshore winds. 

The Beach offers two, flagged, safe swimming areas marked by lifeguard towers: one on Marine Parade at Hythe Street, patrolled by the Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club (circa 1946) all year round from 8am to 5pm; and the other on Marine Parade at Santa Monica Road, patrolled between 8am and 5pm on Queensland school holidays and weekends between September and April.

Mick Schamburg Park and Lores Boney Lookout, atop the rainbow-coloured Miami stairs, offer sweeping views over Miami Beach and north to Nobbys, Mermaid, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. Miami Beach tends to be a more secluded than its neighbouring stretches to the south and north, and still hosts a caravan park, tennis court and a strip of beach bungalows from the Gold Coast of the past, giving it a retro laid-back feel - making it a popular choice for family holidays.

Stretching the length of Miami Beach, from Don McSween Park to Thorn Park, is a foreshore reserve and the Gold Coast Oceanway, popular with dog-walkers, picnickers, cyclists and exercise groups. Along the foreshore reserve you’ll spot a number of interesting sculptures, including The Joggers and The Sea Lion.

Miami Beach’s parklands contain public and disabled toilets, tables and barbeques with shaded seating, beach showers and bike parking (located at the Miami Surf Life Saving Club). Miami also provides beach access points and platforms for wheelchairs and the surf club boasts a large car park.

Step off Miami Beach to enjoy a great cup of coffee, fresh made juice or smoothie, and tasty cafe-style breakfast and lunch options at Piccolo’s Cafe on Marine Parade at Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Around Miami Beach, there is a burgeoning café culture, revolving around the Gold Coast’s first street food market, Miami Marketta, which comes alive three times a week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) offering a chance to sample food from around the world. 

By Michaela Lyons