Palm Beach is a north-east facing beach that runs four kilometres from Currumbin Alley in the south to Tallebudgera Creek in the north. The rich history of Palm Beach includes The Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, built in 1930 and drawing clubbies to 'Palmy' from Brisbane on the weekends. The foreshore has remained an integral part of the suburb's identity and is a popular destination for many.
A trio of Surf Life Saving Clubs patrol this beautiful stretch of sand including Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club (to the south), Pacific Surf Life Saving Club (north Palm Beach) and Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club.
The community is an example of laid-back living where iconic beach shacks meet multi-million dollars homes that line the beachfront. Shops and cafes are conveniently located within walking distance of the beach. Palmy has also built a name for itself as one of the city's up and coming venue precincts with trendy bars and restaurants regularly popping up. For more information on Palm Beach, especially the best places to eat visit Destination Gold Coast.
Whether you're looking to take a dip, bask in the sun, exercise or go for a fish, there's something for everyone. The long sandy beach features several flagged areas for patrolled swimming and ample space for sun bathing and relaxation. The northern and southern ends of the beach are dog-friendly areas while beachfront paths and exercise equipment provide great outdoor workout activities. Palm Beach also offers quality diving with marine life at Bait Reef while fishers can enjoy on-shore and off-shore fishing at this location.
Beach usage
Every beach along our coastline is unique and used for many different activities, such as swimming, surfing and walking the dog. We've been working to understand which beaches are our most popular and how each is used by our community and visitors.
Up to 50,000 people visit Palm Beach every year, the majority are local residents from the surrounding medium and high density residential suburbs.
More than half the visitors to Palm Beach go there to enjoy the amenity it provides to exercise, play and relax.
Surfing
Palm Beach and Tallebudgera are part of the World Surfing Reserve and are popular beach breaks with surfers. This beach is subject to an increase in wave energy due to the reduced sheltering effects of Snapper Rocks and the orientation of the coast tends more easterly. There are excellent beach breaks along most of the beach providing a playground for body surfing, short boarding, long boarding, stand-up paddle boarding and other surf-related activities. Beware of the Tallebudgera Creek entrance and fast-moving tidal surges.
Swimming
Between the 2 creek entrances there are several flagged areas for patrolled swimming. Make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags which indicate that the beach is patrolled. Palm Beach has 4 patrolled lifeguard towers including one located at the beach end of Tallebudgera Creek:
- South Palm Beach, (945 Gold Coast Highway, on the beach side of Palm Beach Parklands). Patrolled on weekends between 8am and 5pm from September to April.
- Jefferson Lane at Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day from November to April.
- Gold Coast Highway at Pacific Surf Lifesaving Club (1291 Gold Coast Highway). Patrolled on weekends between 8am and 5pm from September to April.
- Tallebudgera Drive at Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club. Patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day all year round.
Please note all beaches are patrolled during Queensland school holidays.
For more details download our Beach patrol information sheet(PDF, 1MB)
Facilities
South and north Palm Beach is next to popular parkland that contains toilets, barbecues, tables, shade structures and beach showers. Part of the beach also includes an off-leash dog exercise area. Part of the southern area of this beach is close to a small commercial area.
Palm Beach and Tallebudgera have the following facilities for beachgoers:
Getting there
Parking: There are car parks at the surf clubs and plenty of on-street parking available in side streets. Please be sure to take note of any applicable parking signs and/or line markings before heading to the beach. Please note our beaches can get very busy on weekends and during school holidays, reducing the amount of available parking in the area.
Public transport: Translink buses run along the Gold Coast Highway through Palm Beach. Use Translink's journey planner to plot your trip to the beach.
Active travel: Use our walking and cycling guides for Southern Gold Coast and surrounds to plan your walk, run or bike ride to the beach.