Early Morning Walk from Southport to Surfers Paradise

Early Morning Walk from Southport to Surfers Paradise

Up early we had a 50 minute drive down the Gold Coast at dawn where the streets of Surfers Paradise resemble a ghost town, but head down to the beach and its peak hour, with beach walkers, fisherman, surfers, joggers and runners all taking advantage of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean sunrise and glassy waves.

There’s no better way to start your day on the Gold Coast than with an early morning walk from Southport to Surfers Paradise. This 4.5–5 km coastal walk combines fresh ocean air, gentle cardio, mindfulness, and a splash of adventure — making it the perfect recipe for a healthy body and clear mind.

The Gold Coast is a wonderful place to walk and thousands of visitors come here each year to do just that. Experiencing the Gold Coast on foot is one of the best things to do on the Gold Coast. With over 70 kilometres of pristine beaches this region is a beach walker’s paradise. The Gold Coast has numerous pet friendly areas to exercise your dogs and also pet friendly when it comes to bringing your pooch on holiday with you, so there is no excuse not to walk your dog here or bring your pet on holiday. There are a number of beaches and parks where every member of the family including the family pet can enjoy a day out. It’s a hive of activity from dawn until dusk and there are stacks to see and do along the way. Every day thousands of Gold Coasters walk, run or bike along parts of the Oceanway. Some use it to get to work or visit friends in neighbouring suburbs, while others take advantage of the free exercise equipment provided and uninterrupted ocean views.

Today we started at Southport Surf Life Saving Club, which was founded in 1919, the Southport Nippers Club and a dressing shed lie just off the beginning of The Esplanade. They are fronted by a large car park, a fenced foredune reserve and the beach. Heading south we hit the slender stretch of sand that separates the Nerang River from the southern end of Main Beach, Narrowneck.  From Narrowneck we followed the Borobi Fan Trail, passing three Borobi Sculptures before hitting Surfers Paradise.

🌊 Walk Description

✅ Start Point: Broadwater Parklands, Southport
Grab a deep breath of ocean air and enjoy the calm waters of the Broadwater. This area has wide paths, grassy spots, playgrounds, and picnic areas — a gentle warm-up.

✅ Main Route: Marine Parade → Esplanade → Surfers Paradise
Follow the shared walking and cycling path south, hugging the coastline. Along the way, you’ll pass the Southport Surf Life Saving Club, Narrowneck Beach, and the iconic Surfers Paradise beachfront.

✅ Distance: ~4.5 to 5 km one way (~1–1.5 hours at a relaxed pace)

In Surfers Paradise we checked out local talented artists creating masterpieces in front of Cavill Mall, transforming a dynamic outdoor exhibition. The masterpiece is a 270 ton of sand themed fairy tale classic. Families, friends and, art lovers alike will be captivated by larger than life sand sculptures, breathtaking art installations, sand sculpting demonstrations, live entertainment, art exhibitions and interactive workshops that will be sure to charm people of all ages from dawn to dusk.

Internationally‐acclaimed local artist Clayton Blake, showcased two of his extraordinary works, a thicket of large scale tentacles in collaboration with Courtenay McCue and a cast of migrating solider crabs converging on Surfers Paradise beach.

📍 Points of Interest & Photo Stops

📸 Anzac Park, Southport: Start with sunrise shots over the Broadwater.

📸 Narrowneck: Capture the ocean meeting the skyline; sometimes you’ll spot surfers in action.

📸 Surfers Paradise Sign: The famous archway on the beach is an iconic photo spot you can’t miss.

📸 Skyline Views: As you walk, turn back to snap the rising sun against the high-rises behind you.

From the Sand Safari Arts Festival we headed back north retracing our steps back to Southport Surf Club. We decided to have a small breakfast at the Main Beach Pavilion. What a charming, relaxing spot, with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. It was a great place to break one's walk along the beachfront and sit down for a coffee. They have a terrific range of reasonably priced breakfast/brunch type meals, the staff are very personable, the location (adjacent to the beach) is wonderful and the internal layout with couches and an assortment of table settings. The old male and female change pavilions are still there and there are loads of retro photos to remind you of the Main Beach of old. The bathing pavilion sits next to the Southport Surf Club, the first to make its mark on the Gold Coast in 1936 and right next to a sprawling shady park which is perfect for oceanfront picnics.

After breakfast we headed to Prizzy Park where dogs are catered for, with an off leash area and a dog exercise facility. The dog park is known as one of the best on the Coast. The walker and jogger are not excluded, with fantastic looped pathways winding through the park, perfect for a stroll or run.

https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/2899754629

🏖️ Helpful Points to Consider

• Wear comfy shoes; the mix of pavement and sand can be a calf workout.

• Bring water and sunscreen — the Gold Coast sun wakes up early.

• Start at sunrise (around 5:30–6:00 am) for the coolest, quietest time and the best light.

• Optional: Walk one way, then catch the tram or bus back!

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