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Coolangatta Beach, Australia


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To this Canadian girl, January has always been synonymous with blizzards, snow boots, and huge mugs of hot chocolate, but since moving to Australia last year, it has changed to sun, sand, and the occasional surf club.

I can’t get enough of the beaches of Queensland’s Gold Coast with their blindingly white sand and exquisitely warm, turquoise waters.

My recent favorite is Coolangatta Beach, a gorgeous spot we discovered on an afternoon drive down the coast from Brisbane.

Coolangatta is Queensland’s most southerly coastal town, providing a picturesque gateway for travelers heading down to New South Wales. Only 100 km south of Brisbane, it is short drive for a beautiful getaway. It is also close to the Dreamworld, White Water World and Sea World Gold Coast Theme Parks, as well as the Australian Outback Spectacular. But we were there for the beaches.

It was a blistering hot day so stepping out of the car into cooling sea breezes was pure bliss. There is a broad, sweeping sidewalk that curves along the beachfront and provides a smooth surface and stunning views for walkers, runners, bikers and roller-bladers.

We strolled along this walk, stopping often to lean over the railing and watch seagulls pottering in the sand and swimmers cavorting in the surf. I loved the black rocks so stark against the pale beach. They’d make such good sitting spots for those moments when you just want to rest and look out to sea.

We ambled back through the sand and sea grasses, marveling at tiny flowers that managed to survive in spite of blustery winds and salty spray. By then we were roasting and parched and decided it was time for cold drinks, so we walked to the Coolangatta Surf Club, signed in as guests, and headed upstairs to the fully licensed Surf Club Coolangatta.

The Surf Club Coolangatta is a great place at Coolangatta Beach for a break with its wide open dining room that opens up to refreshing sea breezes and sunshiny vistas of beaches and frolickers.

We found window seats and sat down to take in the beach scene with icy bottles of Strongbow Pear Cider with Raspberry and Strawberry.

All proceeds generated by The Surf Club Coolangatta support the Coolangatta Surf Club. This provides vital rescue equipment for the life savers and training to protect swimmers at Coolangatta beach. Life savers have been patrolling the beach for almost 50 years in conjunction with council life guards. It feels good to know that purchasing a cold drink on a hot day helps to keep these beautiful beaches safe.

And the view of of dreamy surfers suiting up to ride the waves isn’t so bad either.

More on Queensland Australia’s best beaches.

 

 

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About the author

I am a wood-burning artist, goat farmer, writer and photographer of all things food, travel, and lifestyle. Born in Canada, raised in the USA, and shaped by my European roots, I now live on a goat farm in Queensland, Australia with my husband, where I celebrate anything that leads to healing, thriving, and loving. For more visit: Rambling Tart

10 thoughts on “Coolangatta Beach, Australia”

  1. It’s just above freezing here. Just returned from a walk and my nose is red. So it’s a delight to savor the photos and story about Down Under where it’s warm and sunny. thanks!!

  2. I’m smiling so big picturing you all rosy and shivery after your winter walk, Judith! 🙂 I’m so glad I could take you somewhere warm and sunny, if only for a few minutes. 🙂

  3. Krista, you find the most wonderful places, and take the best pictures. I just wish I could pack up and visit the beach right now – to see the beach of course, nothing to do with those hunky surfers!

  4. Oh thank you, Ann! 🙂 I would happily pack up with you and of course we would avert our eyes from any scantily clad muscly chaps and focus solely on the beach. 😉

  5. Your photos, as always, make me want to be there. Especially, in January. Someday, I hope to avoid winter altogether by bouncing between hemispheres at just the right times. Oz is certainly on my list. 🙂

  6. That’s not a typical January? Sounds normal to this Australian!

    Just a quick note for everyone thinking this is heaven. Summer is the worst season for bluebottles and quite a few locals just won’t go swimming in the sea during these months. Read up on them in advance and check the tide line before swimming. Also, summer means cyclone season for the north (including Queensland), bushfire season for the rest of the country and isolated flooding depending on the rainfall patterns.

    Still, I’d rather that than a European January.

  7. Hey Krista – I realise that this post is over a year old, but it came up when I was searching and I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your photographs! Coolangatta always looks so beautiful : )

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