A Weekend Trip to Coolangatta, Queensland: A Guide for Your Next Getaway
Updated: Jul 3, 2022
We Just Got Back From Coolangatta!
Come rain or shine, Coolangatta is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a weekend trip. This coastal town has plenty to do and see with its pristine beaches and abundant activities. Whether traveling with your friends or family, it’s the ideal location for a relaxing weekend getaway that won’t break the bank.
Coolangatta is located on the southern end of the Gold Coast, around 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise and about an hour and 45 minutes from Brisbane. It has everything you want in a small beach town: quiet cafes with ocean views, old-school fish and chip shops where you can eat outdoors on picnic tables, and plenty of places to stay on the water if you want to get up close and personal with locals.
About Coolangatta
Coolangatta is an idyllic coastal town on the southern end of the Gold Coast. It sits on the New South Wales and Queensland border, meaning you can easily hit up both states in one weekend if you’re flying in. While it’s not as famous as other towns on the coast, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
There are plenty of activities to do and see, as it’s right on the ocean and has some beautiful beaches. Coolangatta is also at the end of the Gold Coast Highway, which means you can start your trip in Brisbane and travel down to Coolangatta and beyond if you want to explore more of the area.
Activities and Sightseeing in Coolangatta
If you come during the winter months, you can try surfing some of the waves – or even ice skating. Coolangatta is known for its surfing, with some of the best waves in the region. If you’re more of a land-lover, you can go for a hike at nearby Currumbin Valley or take a walk through the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, which is 16km long and ends at Currumbin Valley.
If you enjoy wildlife, head to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can get up close to a bunch of animals. You can also rent some beach cruisers and go for miles along the coastline. Make your way to Rainbow Bay Beach to see the local surfers enjoying the waves!
Things to Do Coolangatta
Shopping: There are some tiny little local shops you can pop around right along the beach, which would be worth your time.
Coolangatta Beach/Kirra Beach: These are some of the prettiest beaches you’ll find in the region. You can go for a swim here, surf, boogie board, or simply enjoy the view.
Currumbin Valley: This is a must-do if you want to get into the hinterland. You can do everything from go for a bush walk, go to the wildlife sanctuary, or even go mini-golfing.
The Coolangatta Surrounding Area
There are tons of activities around Coolangatta that you can enjoy. Gold Coast boasts many big-city amenities like famous beach bars, designer shopping at Pacific Fair, and nightlife. Staying in Coolangatta, however, gives you a relaxed beach vibe and gets you away from the big city stressors.
Coolangatta is also about halfway between Gold Coast and Byron Bay. And Byron Bay is certainly worth a day trip and poke about. Byron is the easternmost point in Australia, boasts music and arts, and is a general fan-favorite city for culture in the area.
Where to Eat in Coolangatta
In our time, we ate at the Baskk Italian Restaurant and the 4 Pines Brewery, both of which we would frequent if we lived down there. And for breakfast, we stumbled upon Byron Bay Coffee which was divine. And later we found a brekky place called “Kirramisu” which Rasmus says we’d drive an hour for any time.
Where to Stay in Coolangatta
I have you covered if you need a place to stay for your weekend getaway. We stayed at the lovely Club Wyndham Kirra, which had a pool, spa, mini-golf, and free cruiser bikes for our use. You can’t go wrong in Coolangatta. However, I would certainly opt for something with a beachfront!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway, look no further than Coolangatta. It’s the ideal combination of relaxation and activities that are sure to tire you out. Plus, it’s an easy trip to get to from most places in Brisbane or Gold Coast. If you’re flying in, you can quickly fly into the Gold Coast Airport, which is only 15 minutes away. And the best part is that it won’t break the bank – Coolangatta is a relatively affordable weekend getaway.