Palm Beach

Sandwiched between Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek on the north end and Currumbin Point to the south, Palm Beach is a popular patrolled beach on Queensland’s glorious Gold Coast.

The sandy beach extends for about 4km (2.5 miles) parallel to the busy Gold Coast Highway 200m to the west. Park on one of the many side streets and direct beach access is easy.

Along much of the beach there is a seawall to protect the beachfront houses and high-rises overlooking the beach from sea erosion. However, at high tide, the sea can reach the wall effectively eliminating access to the sand.

The beach is long and popular enough to have 3 lifesaving stations dotted along its length. The wave action has created two sandbars cut through with troughs and channels that create strong rips near the groynes, so swimming is not advisable.

Surfers can take advantage of the beach breaks on the inner bar during low waves and the outer bar when the swell is moderate. At either end there are creeks with rock groynes extending out beyond the surf and essentially enclosing the beach.