The Gold Coast Spit, Australia – 2024 Visitor’s Guide

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The Gold Coast Spit is one of the best beaches on the Gold Coast boasting glistening white sands and spectacular views of the Surfers Paradise skyline.

I have put together this complete guide to the Gold Coast Spit including how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you arrive.

Also in this guide, I have included some useful information on other Gold Coast attractions worth visiting during your stay.

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QUICK ANSWERS – GOLD COAST SPIT

Let’s start this guide with guide with the essentials you should know about Gold Coast Spit, from its location to the best time to visit and more.

WHERE IS THE GOLD COAST SPIT?

The Gold Coast Spit is located at the very end of Main Beach, just 10 minutes drive north of Gold Coast’s central tourist hub, Surfers Paradise.

Click here for the location on Google Maps.

the spit map

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE SPIT GOLD COAST?

The best time to visit Gold Coast The Spit is early morning or late afternoon as it won’t be too hot under the midday sun.

If you can time your visit for a weekday, chances are you will get to enjoy the beach with fewer people around.

Spit Gold Coast is known to be very popular on weekends so you can expect it to be very busy with many families and groups of friends hanging out here on the shoreline.

I recommend getting here between 6:00 am and 10:00 am to score a good spot along the beachfront and enjoy a swim and a sunbake before the crowds hit.

Also, late afternoon around 5 pm – 6 pm is a nice time to visit as it’s a great spot to watch the sun setting over the Surfers Paradise skyline.

HOW TO GET TO THE SPIT?

There are a few transportation options to reach the Spit Gold Coast which include renting a car, public transport, and Uber.

RENT A CAR

In my opinion, renting a car is by far going to be your best option to reach the Gold Coast Spit. 

Driving a car on Gold Coast is very safe and the road rules are very straightforward. If you’re an American or European, do note that we drive on the left-hand side of the road in Australia so this might take a few hours to get used to.

I always use Discover Cars to search and book car rentals on Gold Coast as they offer the best rates.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public buses and trams run frequently along the Gold Coast Highway which is another good option for getting down to Gold Coast The Spit.

I recommend purchasing a Go Card from any 7 Eleven store on the Gold Coast.

It costs $10 AUD to purchase a Go Card and you will also need to top it up with around $20 – $30 which should be enough to cover your transport for a few days on the Gold Coast.

It’s as easy as tapping on and tapping off with your Go Card when riding on the buses or trams on the Gold Coast.

A handy tool to use when traveling on public transport is the Translink Journey Planner.

If you don’t have a Go Card, it’s possible to purchase paper tickets onboard public transport, however, you will end up paying around 30% more for each journey.

UBER

There are lots of Uber drivers on the Gold Coast, and at any time of the day, you can book one using the app, and within a matter of minutes, you can easily find a ride to get to Gold Coast Spit.

Uber is a lot cheaper than taxis on the Gold Coast, and if it’s your first time using Uber, you’ll get your first ride for free!

RELATED ARTICLE → 3 DAY GOLD COAST ITINERARY

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Car Rental – Search, Compare & Save!

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Discover Cars are one of the world’s largest online car rental platforms with vehicles in 10,000+ locations.

Find the right car, in the right place, for the best price guaranteed!

ARRIVING AT GOLD COAST SPIT

When you arrive, there is a large parking lot with hundreds of car spaces available and it’s free to park all day.

From the parking lot, you’ll see a pathway that leads directly down to the beach beside the jetty. It’s a short 2-minute walk to get there.

Toilet and shower facilities can also be found next to the parking lot which is free for all visitors to use.

Any trash accumulated during your adventure down to the Spit Gold Coast can be placed in the rubbish bins near the toilet block.

Please help keep our Gold Coast beaches clean!

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Beautiful day on the Gold Coast

The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel

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If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II.

This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Spit is a great place to visit during the day for a swim at the beach, a picnic in the park, fishing off the jetty, or a boating tour in the seaway.

Also down near Spit Gold Coast, you will find Seaworld theme park, half a dozen 5-star resorts, Marina Mirage shopping center, and a popular restaurant called Fisherman’s Wharf which is renowned for its delicious fish and chips!

If you want to try your hand at surfing, you can book a Beginner Surf Experience and ride your very first wave at The Spit.

Gold Coast Spit is one of only a few dog beaches on the Gold Coast where you can let your pets run free without a leash.

But please use the dog poo bags which can be found near the toilet block and pick up after them. 

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Sugary soft sands
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The jetty

The BEST Hotel in Gold Coast

Imperial Hotel Gold Coast

Need a place to stay? Imperial Hotel is conveniently located in Gold Coast.

Whether you’re here to explore around or relax in comfort, Imperial Hotel Gold Coast is an excellent option!

PALM TREE PARADISE NEAR THE SPIT

A popular photo spot near The Spit Gold Coast is a palm-tree-lined beach entrance which is located directly in front of the Sheraton Resort, on the way back towards Main Beach.

After you visit, you can drive back towards Main Beach where you’ll find a public car park situated next to the Sheraton Resort. From here you can head along the footpath towards the beach.

You’ll be able to spot the tall, tropical palm trees on the sand and this is where you can get the perfect photo to post on Instagram.

RELATED ARTICLE → 15 BEST GOLD COAST BEACHES

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Palm tree paradise

BEST GOLD COAST TOURS

 

OTHER GOLD COAST ATTRACTIONS

There are so many things to do on the Gold Coast you could spend months here and not run out of things to do.

See the list below for some other Gold Coast tourist spots that you might like to check out:

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GOLD COAST ACCOMMODATION

The Gold Coast is a thriving tourist hub with no shortage of accommodation options and most people want to be by the beach as often as possible – I don’t blame them!

See below for the best places to stay on the Gold Coast with options suited for small families, budget backpackers, and luxury travelers.

Luxury: Palazzo Versace

Palazzo Versace is one of the best 5-star resorts on the Gold Coast featuring multiple swimming pools, award-winning restaurants, a fitness center, and free WiFi throughout.

The rooms and suites are decorated with Versace furnishings and include a balcony, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with spa baths.

Located in Main Beach, Palazzo Versace is the perfect place to stay for families and couples.

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Mid Range: Outrigger Burleigh

The best and most affordable hotel in Burleigh Heads is the Outrigger which is just a two-minute walk from Burleigh Beach and features an outdoor pool, hot tub, and ocean views!

The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and equipped with a kitchenette, a living room, a private bathroom, and a balcony.

Perfect for couples and families on a mid-range budget.

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Budget: Maxmee Backpackers Resort

Maxmee Backpackers Resort is one of the cheapest and best backpackers on the Gold Coast!

Located a stone’s throw from the beach, it features a beach club, outdoor pool, table tennis, and even hammocks.

There are dorm rooms and private apartments available, perfect for friends and solo travelers.

Maxmee Backpackers Resort

FOR MORE OPTIONS, SEE THIS GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY ON THE GOLD COAST

WHAT TO PACK FOR GOLD COAST BEACHES

When visiting the Gold Coast, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden Money Wallet

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Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!


Reusable Water Bottle

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The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!


Travel Backpack

Nomatic 20L Bag

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!


Quick-Dry Travel Towel

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The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!


Portable PowerBank

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Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

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FINAL THOUGHTS – SPIT GOLD COAST

If you have any questions about the Spit Gold Coast, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

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TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

bookingcom

Search and book accommodation worldwide.


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Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.


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Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.


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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.


discover cars

Search all rental cars in your next destination.


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Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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Many thanks!

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