Broadbeach Gold CoastThings to Do, Beach, Dining & More

Broadbeach combines one of the Gold Coast's best-known beaches with excellent restaurants, shopping, entertainment, parks and events, all within a compact and walkable coastal precinct. Whether you're staying for your whole holiday or visiting for the day, there are plenty of things to do in Broadbeach from morning until late.

Located just south of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach has a more relaxed feel while still putting you close to many of the Gold Coast's biggest attractions. Spend the morning at the beach, browse Pacific Fair, have lunch around the dining precinct, visit a market or park, then stay for a show, dinner or drinks after dark.

It is also one of the easiest Gold Coast areas to explore without a car, with the G:link tram connecting Broadbeach with Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Southport, Burleigh Heads and other parts of the coastal corridor.

Best Things to Do in Broadbeach

If you're visiting Broadbeach for the first time, these are some of the easiest places and activities to build your day around.

Kurrawa Beach & Broadbeach Foreshore

Kurrawa Beach is at the heart of Broadbeach and is one of the easiest places to start your visit. The beach sits directly beside the main accommodation and dining precinct, so you can go from a morning swim to breakfast or shopping without needing to move the car.

The surrounding foreshore and Kurrawa Park have walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, picnic tables, barbecues, shade and beach access, making the area useful whether you're visiting as a couple, with friends or with children.

If you're swimming, choose a patrolled section of the beach and stay between the red and yellow flags.

Explore more of the coastline in our Gold Coast beaches guide.

Kurrawa Park & Playgrounds

Kurrawa Park gives families plenty to do away from the water, with playground areas, open grass, picnic facilities and easy access to the beach.

It is also one of Broadbeach's main event spaces, hosting markets, festivals and community activities throughout the year.

For families looking for a simple free activity, combining the playground, park and beach can easily fill a morning or afternoon without buying an attraction ticket.

Visit Cascade Gardens

Cascade Gardens provides a quieter alternative to the beachfront. Located beside the Nerang River, the park has open green space, picnic areas, BBQ facilities and playgrounds.

It's particularly useful if you want somewhere for a picnic or a break from the busier centre of Broadbeach.

The gardens also include the Kokoda Memorial Walk, commemorating Australians who served on the Kokoda Track during the Second World War.

Shop at Pacific Fair

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is one of the biggest shopping, dining and entertainment destinations on the Gold Coast and sits directly beside the Broadbeach South tram station.

There are more than 400 stores covering Australian and international fashion, luxury brands, beauty, lifestyle and everyday shopping, as well as restaurants, cafes and cinemas.

It's an easy place to spend a few hours and is also a useful rainy-day option when the beach isn't cooperating.

The Oasis Broadbeach

For something smaller and closer to the beach, The Oasis sits in the middle of Broadbeach and combines shops, dining and everyday services.

The central Broadbeach streets and Oracle Boulevard also have smaller retailers, restaurants and cafes, so shopping doesn't need to mean spending the whole day inside a major shopping centre.

Broadbeach Attractions & Entertainment

Broadbeach has fewer traditional tourist attractions than Surfers Paradise, but it has some of the Gold Coast's strongest entertainment venues.

The Star Gold Coast

The Star Gold Coast is one of Broadbeach's major entertainment precincts, with restaurants, bars, live entertainment, accommodation and casino gaming.

You don't need to visit the casino to spend time there. Dining, bars, shows and events make The Star part of Broadbeach's broader evening entertainment scene.

Casino areas are restricted to adults aged 18 and over.

Dracula's Cabaret

Dracula's Cabaret has been part of the Gold Coast entertainment scene for decades and remains one of Broadbeach's most distinctive nights out.

The experience combines dinner with live music, comedy, aerial performance and theatrical entertainment at its venue opposite Pacific Fair.

If Dracula's is high on your holiday list, book ahead as individual performances can sell out.

Broadbeach Markets

Broadbeach's beachfront market is held at Kurrawa Park and is a good option if your visit falls on a market weekend.

The market is now known as The Coastal Markets – Broadbeach, following a change of operator in 2026. You'll find stalls selling locally made products, art, gifts, fashion, food and other market finds.

Market schedules can change, so check our Gold Coast markets guide for the current Broadbeach dates before making a special trip.

Restaurants & Dining in Broadbeach

Dining is one of Broadbeach's biggest drawcards. Restaurants, cafes and bars are concentrated around the central streets, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis and The Star, making it easy to walk between venues.

You'll find everything from casual breakfasts and family restaurants to international cuisine, seafood, modern Australian dining and late-night venues.

Rather than relying on a static list of individual restaurants that can date quickly, use our Gold Coast dining guide and check current Broadbeach venues when planning your stay.

Things to Do in Broadbeach with Kids

Broadbeach works particularly well for families because many activities are close together.

A family day could include a swim at Kurrawa Beach, time at the park or playground, lunch in the central precinct and a visit to Pacific Fair. Cascade Gardens gives you another free outdoor option when you want a change from the beach.

Pacific Fair also has cinemas and indoor entertainment, which makes it useful if the weather changes.

For more ideas that won't add much to the holiday budget, see our free things to do on the Gold Coast.

Things to Do in Broadbeach for Couples

Broadbeach is also well suited to couples who want a holiday built around beach time, food and entertainment rather than theme parks.

Spend the morning walking or swimming at the beach, have lunch around the restaurant precinct, browse Pacific Fair or The Oasis, then head out for dinner, a show or drinks in the evening.

If you're staying locally, most of that can be done on foot without worrying about driving between activities.

Events in Broadbeach

Broadbeach is one of the Gold Coast's busiest event precincts, with live music, festivals, conferences and entertainment taking place throughout the year.

Blues on Broadbeach brings multiple stages and live performances throughout the precinct each year. Most of the festival remains non-ticketed, although selected premium events may require tickets.

Groundwater Country Music Festival is another major Broadbeach event, with free live country music across streets, parks and local venues.

The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre also hosts concerts, exhibitions, conferences, sporting events and other major events throughout the year.

Schedules change annually, so use our Gold Coast events guide or the venue's current What's On information when planning your trip.

Broadbeach Nightlife

Broadbeach has a busy evening scene without quite the same concentration of nightclubs found in Surfers Paradise.

The central restaurant precinct, The Star and surrounding hotels provide bars, cocktails, live entertainment and late-night dining, so it's easy to stay in the area after dinner rather than travelling elsewhere.

If nightlife is a major part of your holiday, Broadbeach offers a good balance between having plenty to do after dark and still feeling like a beachside destination during the day.

Accommodation in Broadbeach

Broadbeach has a large choice of apartments, hotels and resorts within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, shopping and public transport.

It is a particularly convenient base if you want to spend most of your holiday without a car, as many everyday activities are accessible on foot and the G:link tram provides easy connections to other parts of the Gold Coast.

Rather than duplicating all the accommodation information here, see our dedicated Broadbeach accommodation guide to compare where to stay.

Getting Around Broadbeach

Broadbeach is compact enough that you can walk between the beach, restaurants, shops and many attractions.

The G:link tram also runs directly through the area, with Broadbeach North and Broadbeach South stations providing connections towards Surfers Paradise, Main Beach and Southport as well as south towards Burleigh Heads.

If you're staying in central Broadbeach, you may not need a car unless you're planning day trips into the Gold Coast Hinterland or other areas outside the main public transport corridor.

See our Gold Coast public transport guide for more information about buses, trams and trains.

Broadbeach FAQs

What are the best things to do in Broadbeach?

Popular things to do include Kurrawa Beach, Kurrawa Park, Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast, Dracula's Cabaret, Broadbeach markets, Cascade Gardens and exploring the area's restaurants, shops and beachfront paths.

Is Broadbeach worth visiting?

Yes. Broadbeach combines beach access with restaurants, shopping, parks, entertainment and public transport in a compact area, making it easy to visit for the day or use as a base for a longer Gold Coast holiday.

What can you do in Broadbeach for free?

Free activities include spending time at Kurrawa Beach, walking along the foreshore, using the parks and playgrounds, visiting Cascade Gardens and browsing the beachfront markets when they're operating.

What can couples do in Broadbeach?

Couples can combine a beach morning with shopping, dining, drinks or evening entertainment. Broadbeach's walkability makes it particularly easy to move between the beach, restaurants and nightlife without driving.

Is Broadbeach good for families?

Yes. The beach, parks, playgrounds, shopping, cinemas, restaurants and family accommodation make Broadbeach a convenient option for families with children of different ages.

Does Broadbeach have markets?

Yes. The Coastal Markets – Broadbeach operate at Kurrawa Park on selected Sundays. Check our Gold Coast markets guide for the latest dates and trading information.

Can you get around Broadbeach without a car?

Yes. Central Broadbeach is highly walkable and is served by the G:link tram and local buses. A car becomes more useful if you're planning trips outside the main coastal corridor.

Is Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise better?

Broadbeach generally has a more relaxed feel with a strong dining and shopping scene, while Surfers Paradise has a larger concentration of tourist attractions and nightlife. Both have beaches, extensive accommodation and direct G:link connections, so the better choice depends on the type of holiday you want.

Plan Your Visit to Broadbeach

Broadbeach works well because you don't need to choose between the beach and everything else. Swimming, parks, shopping, restaurants and entertainment are all concentrated within a relatively small area.

Start with Kurrawa Beach and the foreshore, choose one or two activities that suit your day, and leave enough time to enjoy the restaurants and atmosphere rather than rushing between attractions.

Explore Broadbeach accommodation, check upcoming Gold Coast events, browse Gold Coast markets or discover more things to do on the Gold Coast.

Images courtesy Tourism & Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Destination Gold Coast & Getty Images