Ashmore
Ashmore is located about nine kilometres from Surfers Paradise and has become one of the most diverse residential suburbs of the Gold Coast, offering everything from acreage homes to villas.
Ashmore's central location, between Southport and Benowa, offers local residents quick and easy access to the Gold Coast's beaches, the CBD, the Pacific Motorway and the rail link. A feature of the area is its undulating hills that allow some of the homes good views to Surfers; the hinterland; and even Royal Pines Golf Course. The suburb boasts tree-lined streets, a variety of architecture, proximity to shopping centres and schools, and a diversity of lifestyles.
Ashmore was developed in the early '70s and '80s to meet the demand for traditional quarter acre residential homes of that era. Since then Ashmore has come to offer acreage homes, quarter acre homes, zero lot line homes, villas, townhouses as well as deluxe resort style housing at The Royal Pines Estate. The most prominent lifestyle in the area is that of the family, with seven schools located in the vicinity. Among them are Ashmore and Bellevue Park State Primary, Trinity Lutheran Primary, Keebra State High and Aquinas Catholic College. The family orientated lifestyle is balanced with a solid retiree population.
There are three retirement/aged care facilities in the area including: the Ashmore Lodge, Domain Retirement Country Club and Amity Gardens. Adding to Ashmore's attraction is its proximity to Ashmore Plaza and the Ashmore City Shopping Complex. Centrally located, it is a five-minute drive to Australia Fair Shopping Centre and the Centro Southport shopping complex.
Over the years, Ashmore has been a solid performer in terms of price growth and popularity. This trend is expected to be further strengthened by the continued interstate migration of families from the Southern States who are looking for a more affordable lifestyle, which Ashmore can offer. For these reasons, this suburb has long been popular with investors, giving it a good supply of rental property.
Source: REIQ
Benowa
Benowa is highly prized for its central location and proximity to Surfers Paradise. Bordered mostly by waterways including Main River, Benowa is located to the west of the Isle of Capri and Bundall, and is just four kilometres from the beach. With a sprawling golf course and leafy, tree-lined streets, this suburb is well catered for in terms of parks and good facilities. A popular choice with families and couples, Benowa’s services include the Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre, Pindara Private Hospital, the Royal Pines Resort Golf Course and three schools (public and private).
There are also several private medical suites in the area and administrative offices in nearby Bundall. Featuring a combination of older style and more modern properties, Benowa offers buyers the choice of everything from affordable homes needing a few renovations to refurbished prestige waterfront properties.
There are three distinct areas which make up Benowa: established Benowa on the northern side of Ashmore Road, Benowa Hills on the rising slopes west of Benowa Road, and the secluded exclusive neighbourhood of Benowa Waters which is to the south of Lake Capabella. Although there are older homes in this esteemed part of Benowa, most are less than eight years old.
The majority of houses here tend to be externally rendered and many feature impressive architectural designs with good use of glass. Homebuyers have a large selection of dry and waterfront blocks to choose from, with many of the waterfront properties backing onto Main River, wide canals or Lake Kelly. Nearby Sir Bruce Small Park provides baseball fields, a bowling green and football and cricket fields for sport lovers.
Although the ambience of Benowa is worlds apart from the action of the Gold Coast tourist strip, its central location means visitors are never far from the surf, night life, golf clubs, theme parks and other attractions which the city is famous for. Even the scenic hinterland range is only a short drive away.
According to the Census 2001 data, 72 per cent of homes in Benowa are either fully owned or being purchased, ensuring the suburb’s rental market remains tight. Over the past five years Benowa has developed into one of the Gold Coast’s most affluent areas attracting buyers (residents and investors) with its location and wide range of homes. Benowa is expected to maintain this position, with the growth seen in recent times set to continue.
Source: REIQ
Broadbeach
Situated in the heart of the Gold Coast between the ocean and the old Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach is characterised by high-rise buildings and apartment living.
Predominantly a suburb for tourism, Broadbeach is close to beaches, shopping centers, Jupiters Casino and theme parks.
An array of small local shops cater to the needs of local residents while visitors looking for something with a little more variety have access to Pacific Fair, one of the largest shopping centres in the southern hemisphere, and the Broadbeach Mall.
While units and holiday apartments are the norm, houses are a little harder to come by. The constantly high sale prices in recent years have reflected the limited supply of houses in the area.
As an attractive tourist location for interstate and international travellers, Broadbeach is ensured steady growth. All the modern conveniences are just a stones throw away, and residents have easy access to the famous Gold Coast beaches.
Source: REIQ
Broadbeach Water
Bounded by the Nerang River to the north and the Nerang Broadbeach Road to the south, Broadbeach Waters incorporates the boutique areas of Moana Park, Rio Vista, Florida Gardens, Miami Keys, Coral Gables and Cypress Gardens.
Over the years the area has transformed from a cluster of holiday homes for the wealthy to a sought-after location for retirees and families looking for an idyllic lifestyle. Characterised by canal-frontages, many of the older homes are being renovated and, in some instances, demolished to make way for new executive dwellings. The area’s housing options are diverse, with family homes as common as prestige mansions in the million-dollar plus range. Pacific Fair — the second largest shopping centre in Queensland — and the Broadbeach Mall, which includes the Oasis Shopping Plaza, are only minutes away and cater to most of the retail needs of residents.
Broadbeach Waters is a unique area where residents can enjoy canal-frontage homes while being only minutes from world-renowned beaches and still have the convenience of facilities associated with city living.
Source: REIQ
Bundall
Bundall has possibly got everything that a homeowner could want. It’s close to the beach, shops and amenities as well as being home to the Gold Coast Turf Club and the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Many of the homes in Bundall have been extensively renovated with blocks of land priced in the premium end of the market. Multimillion-dollar homes fronting the Nerang River can be found in Sorrento.
Source: REIQ
Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads is recognised as an excellent location for beach and nature activities, and as such has enforced its reputation among home owners who are interested in these pastimes.
Like its sister suburb, Burleigh Waters, Burleigh Heads has a wide variety of property, including older houses, new and renovated houses, and an increasing number of high-rise and mid-rise apartment complexes. Waterfront views are found throughout the area, particularly in apartment complexes and from prestige areas on the hill above the heads. This area is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination and is attracting younger and more metropolitan clientele.
The suburb offers residents and holiday-makers the conveniences of city living in a relaxed environment. Locals have access to all the attractions of the tourist strip, plus the Burleigh Koala Park, Burleigh Heads National Park, Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club and sports complex and an Aussie Rules Football Club. Retail facilities can be found in the Burleigh Town Marketplace and at two of the Coast’s largest shopping centres, Robina Shopping Centre and Pacific Fair, which are only minutes away.
In addition, Burleigh has a large inland lake that offers excellent fishing and the opportunity to take part in a range of water sports including kayaking and water skiing. Burleigh Heads National Park and Tallebudgera Creek are located at the south end of the beach, and has a walking circuit with abundant wildlife. There are also a range of sporting clubs including two surf lifesaving clubs, the Burleigh Bear Rugby League Club and the Burleigh Boomers AFL Club. The growing number of families in the area is well catered for with both private and public schools, including the Marymount Catholic College, Caningeraba Primary School and Burleigh Heads Primary School.
Source: REIQ
Burleigh Waters
Access to modern waterfront living has entrenched Burleigh Water’s popularity with owner-occupiers attracted to a relaxed beachfront lifestyle with access to good infrastructure. With pristine surfing beaches at adjacent Burleigh Heads and proximity to modern conveniences, Burleigh Waters draws buyers of all ages and budgets. The homes in Burleigh Waters that are closer to the beach are considered older than those further inland. This has resulted in many properties in this area being renovated. In general Burleigh Waters is a mixture of homes that are brand new, 5 years or even 25 years old.
The suburb offers residents and holiday-makers the conveniences of city living in a relaxed environment. Locals have access to all the attractions of the tourist strip, plus the Burleigh Koala Park, Burleigh Heads National Park, Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club and sports complex and an Aussie Rules Football Club. Retail facilities can be found in the Burleigh Town Marketplace and at two of the Coast’s largest shopping centres, Robina Shopping Centre and Pacific Fair, which are only minutes away.
In addition, Burleigh has a large inland lake that offers excellent fishing and the opportunity to take part in a range of water sports including kayaking and water skiing. Burleigh Heads National Park and Tallebudgera Creek are located at the south end of the beach, and has a walking circuit with wildlife. There are also a range of sporting clubs including two surf lifesaving clubs, the Burleigh Bear Rugby League Club and the Burleigh Boomers AFL Club. The growing number of families in the area is well catered for with both private and public schools, including the Marymount Catholic College and Caningeraba Primary School.
Source: REIQ
Clear Island Waters
Described as the Gold Coast’s most prestigious address, Clear Island Waters offers unrivalled positioning right in the heart of the Gold Coast.
The suburb is surrounded by an extensive artificial lake and a majority of homes in Clear Island Waters offer spectacular water views and are very generous in size. The suburb is divided into three distinct areas, which are linked by a network of separate roads and bridges across the waterways: Island Quays, in the northern part of the suburb, predominantly features large water-front homes; The Moorings, in the south-west of Clear Island Waters, includes both wet and dry blocks; and homes located in The Capes in the suburb’s south-east corner have been developed in a more simple style, yet still enjoy a first class location. The only local shopping complex in the suburb is located in Island Quays, although Pacific Fair — the second largest shopping centre in Queensland — and Robina Town Centre are within easy reach.
The gated communities of Isle of Istana, Clear Water Bay and Rhode Island feature heavy security and large homes. Rhode Island is dominated by stylish townhouses and features a range of excellent on-site amenities and surrounding parklands. Clear Island Waters also plays host to the Surfers Paradise Golf Club, and the Merrimac Golf Course is in neighbouring Merrimac. There is also a number of other parks and green spaces in the area. Local primary education is available at St Vincent’s Primary School. All Saints Anglican School is in the neighbouring suburb of Merrimac, and the prestigious St Hilda’s School at Southport is 8.5km to the suburb’s north.
Source: REIQ
Coolangatta
Coolangatta is Queensland’s most southerly coastal town. Located on the border, near its twin town of Tweed Heads, Coolangatta is approximately 100 kilometres south of Brisbane and is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed coastal lifestyle with the excitement of Surfers Paradise only 30 minutes away.
The Coolangatta region boasts three pristine beaches – Coolangatta, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay. Patrolled by two surf clubs, these are the Gold Coast’s only north facing beaches and are popular for swimming and surfing. In addition, the famous surfing beaches of Kirra, Snapper and Duranbah are only minutes away. Offering safe sandy beaches, access to major shopping centres and world class licensed sporting and recreational clubs, Coolangatta often lures visitors back permanently.
The astute buyer has a diverse range of housing to choose from, including luxury high rise apartments with spectacular ocean views and older three storey walk-ups and duplexes. Due to many of the houses in the area dating back to the 1960’s, the area has seen much in the way of renovations, extensions and even demolitions making way for new dwellings. There have been some newly constructed high-rise developments, including Essence, Ocean Blue and Reflections, which are all taking shape. Residents have good access to medical facilities, schools and retiree services.
The area is also well known for its weekly markets providing shoppers with an opportunity to purchase handmade local arts and crafts, a wide variety of fresh produce and delicious food. With the exception of Coolangatta Primary School, educational requirements are serviced by neighbouring suburbs. Local transport to and around Coolangatta consists mainly of buses or private motor car, with the nearest rail service at Robina. Road access to the north and south is easy, by following Coolangatta Rd to the Pacific Highway.
Tucked between Coolangatta, Tweed Heads and Bilinga, Kirra is one of the fastest growing suburbs on the Gold Coast. Services and facilities are all nearby for the convenience of residents and holidaymakers, including shopping centres, specialty shops, Coolangatta Airport and schools.
Kirra is also home to the famous Kirra Surf Life Saving Club, not to mention beautiful beaches. Units are a dominant feature of the Kirra property market, making this suburb the perfect place to buy for investment reasons. With continued redevelopment of existing unit blocks, it is not surprising to find that no vacant land remains in Kirra. Buyers looking to settle in Kirra will have to opt for one of the many established units and holiday apartments on offer, or one of the few houses available in the area. Among the qualities which attract buyers to Kirra are its seaside lifestyle and village surroundings.
Source: REIQ
Currumbin
Bordered to the north by the Currumbin Creek, west by Currumbin Waters and south by Tugun, Currumbin holds plenty of appeal for buyers looking for the best of both worlds; sea and surf or sweeping views of the valley.
Currumbin, Currumbin Waters and the Currumbin Valley are renowned for their natural beauty, attracting visitors with their scenic beaches and National Parks.
Currumbin is home to Wallace Nicoll Park, the famous Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Currumbin Creek. Elephant Rock is another attraction, offering a great lookout with views extending back towards Surfers Paradise. Where families once occupied the same Currumbin home for generations, they are now moving on. In recent times the face of Currumbin has changed, with the older style beach homes brought down and replaced with newer Mediterranean style homes. Flight paths restrict the height of apartment blocks, especially on the hilled area overlooking Currumbin Point.
Services in the Currumbin area include a shopping centre, hospital and local transport, as well as the Coolangatta Airport nearby. Education is provided through local state primary and secondary schools, as well as a catholic primary school in Currumbin. There are more schools in surrounding suburbs, including private colleges in Andrews, Burleigh Waters and Southport. The nearest TAFE campus is in Ashmore and there is a Southern Cross University campus in Tweed Heads.
Currumbin Valley is 20 kilometres south west from Surfers Paradise, in the steeply rising hills behind Currumbin. Some of the ridge properties in this area offer magnificent, sweeping views, with the famous Currumbin Rock Pool and the Mount Cougal National Park a favourite with visitors. This area is abounding in wide-open spaces, large established trees and individualistic homes on quality acreage property.
Source: REIQ
Currumbin Waters
Currumbin Waters In the 2001 Census, Currumbin Waters was included as part of the Guanaba-Currumbin Valley region. According to the Census, there were 24,777 people living in the Valley with a median age of 33. The median individual income was between $300 and $399 per week. Of all occupied private dwellings 62% were either fully owned or being purchased; 30% were being rented.
Source: REIQ
Ellanora
Nestled between the Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks and with an array of parkland and natural reserves, the suburb of Elanora offers a recreational playground for the large number of families who occupy the area. Fifty eight per cent of households in Elanora consist of families and the 10 to 19 age group is predominant in the suburb. This is reflected in the significant number of educational facilities on offer. Elanora Primary and Elanora High Schools are within the suburb’s boundaries and a significant number of other private and public schools are nearby.
Elanora features some of the southern coast’s newest residential estates including the mixed density Lakewoods, which is around 13 years old, and the more recent Highland Green subdivision. Where possible, mature trees have been retained during the development of these estates and, together with natural parklands and Golf Courses, add to the natural feel of this ‘green pocket’ of the Coast.
Hilltop, lakefront and riverfront homes are obviously the most sought after, which is reflected in higher prices at these locations. In particular, houses on Doubleview Drive are of a very high quality and offer remarkable outlooks over Palm Beach and south to Currumbin Beach. The suburb enjoys quick and easy access to the Gold Coast Highway and the Pacific Motorway and local buses regular service the area. Retail facilities are conveniently located at The Pines Shopping Centre and 19th Avenue Shopping Centre.
Source: REIQ
Hope Island
The northern Gold Coast’s Hope Island is home to the upmarket Sanctuary Cove and Santa Barbara developments, which have grown in prestige and value over the past 20 years. With a raft of well-planned community facilities, it is easy to see why.
The continual development of Hope Island and surrounding areas, conveniently located in the growth corridor between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, has seen the area grow steadily over recent years. The Hope Island area area is a very popular part of the Gold Coast, with its close proximity to all amenities and it attracts a range of buyers. Families are well catered for, with plenty of community facilities and services, located close to 10 schools with shopping centres and theme parks and the Pacific Motorway only minutes away. However, the main buyer demographic is retired or semi-retired couples with interests in boating and golf.
There are many golf courses in the district, including Hope Island Resort, the Pines Private and the Palms Golf Courses. The majority of home ownership on Hope Island is group titled offering a wide range of new prestigious and well-secured developments with both dry and wet blocks designed to provide a safe environment for families. For buyers looking for something more exclusive, the Hope Island Resort offers a world-class golf course and million-dollar homes.
Developed in the 1980s, Sanctuary Cove has grown to consist of two excellent golf courses, Marine Village shopping centre, which has more than 75 shops ranging from gift shops to restaurants, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, numerous cafes and bars, and lots of very expensive housing options. Access in and out of Hope Island is possible by car or by boat – via Sanctuary Cove’s marina located on a natural waterway on the Coomera River, which flows to the Southport Broadwater and the Pacific Ocean. The Brisbane and Gold Coast airports are both within 50 minutes’ drive.
Sanctuary Cove’s village community includes new harbour front dining precinct, a country club facility, recreation club and community sports ground. The beauty of the area, deep-water mooring facilities, luxury housing developments and access in and out of the neighbouring Coomera River area, all contribute to help make Hope Island one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious suburbs.
Source: REIQ
Isle of Capri
The Isle of Capri is a large island situated at the heart of the Gold Coast, between Surfers Paradise and Bundall. Regarded as a prestigious location, this upmarket suburb`s easy access to the Seaway, beach and shopping districts of Cavill Avenue, Pacific Fair and Bundall make its attractiveness hard to beat.
Its central location, coupled with the fact that high-rise development is not allowed on the island, have kept the average price of property around $1 million.Many of the homes were built in the late 1960s and are now being extensively renovated.
The Isle of Capri has a small retail precinct which includes banks, a mini supermarket, dentist, cafe and other local businesses. The Gold Coast, Allamanda and Pindara Hospitals are all only a few minutes away by car and there are a number of government and private schools close by. Homes on Adam`s Basin, which overlooks Girung Island, are considered prime real estate because of their northerly aspect and calm waters.
Source: REIQ
Kirra>
Small Kirra, tucked between Coolangatta, Tweed Heads and Bilinga has a population of just over 2,500 and enviable buyer recognition. Residents and holiday-makers are serviced by nearby shopping complexes and specialty shops, the Coolangatta Airport, schools and clubs (including the famous Kirra Surf Life Saving Club), not to mention the wonderful Gold Coast beaches.
It is one of the fastest growing suburbs on the Gold Coast and a pleasant 10-minute stroll along the esplanade from Coolangatta.With a wealth of existing residential and holiday units, and more in the pipeline, Kirra is the perfect place to buy for personal or investment reasons.
With continued redevelopment of existing unit blocks it is not surprising to find that no vacant land remains in Kirra. Buyers looking to settle in Kirra will have to opt for one of many established units and holiday apartments on offer, or one of the few houses available in the area. Despite considerable interest in the redevelopment of Kirra, house and unit prices have remain reasonable.
Kirra`s redevelopment will benefit investors and owner-occupiers alike. A seaside lifestyle with village surroundings will ensure that the buyers of today make a tidy profit if they decide to sell in the medium to distant future.
Source: REIQ
Labrador
Once regarded as the best kept secrets on the Gold Coast, Labrador’s first class water facilities and beautiful shore-lined parks have now brought the area very much into the limelight. Centrally located, Labrador provides a beachfront lifestyle with close proximity to Griffith University and Surfers Paradise. The Broadwater has excellent access areas to the water for windsurfing, sailing, para-flying, jet-skiing, boating, fishing and swimming – making this once sleepy suburb a popular retreat for holidaymakers.
Although there is no absolute beachfront property in Labrador, apartments and houses along Marine Parade offer beautiful views over the Broadwater. New developments are slowly moving in providing some excellent quality accommodation apartments for investors and rentals. Just minutes from Helensvale train station and the Pacific Motorway, Labrador is also serviced by Surfside Buslines. No vacant land remains in Labrador, with older homes now being replaced with newer developments. This is providing a significant facelift for the area which continues to grow in popularity.
Within the suburb are several small ‘villages’ such as Chirn Park and Heydon Heights. Too small to be called suburbs in their own right, these areas are becoming popular real estate ‘buys’ due to the appeal of lifestyle cafes, shops and amenities just nearby.
Source: REIQ
Main Beach
Main Beach is the centre of the Gold Coast social scene, with the busy little retail and dining strip on Tedder Avenue as the place to be seen. Not only do locals enjoy the café culture of Tedder Avenue, but it is also a popular hangout for visiting international and Australian celebrities, with many a famous face and expensive sports car spotted along the renowned restaurant strip.
Main Beach was the talk of the town early this year (2005) when a humble two-storey beach shack on 963 square metres of prime Main Beach beachfront sold to a mystery buyer for $13 million moments before it was due to be auctioned, in what is thought to be a record for a Queensland residential property.
Many wealthy personalities and retirees own second residences at Main Beach – further evidence of the desirability of this location. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Nerang River Broadwater on the other, this suburb has no more room to expand which explains the premium price tags attached to Main Beach properties. The median house price for Main Beach rose by 194.4 per cent in the five years to March, with the year to March recording a median of $1,325,000 – considerably higher than the wider Gold Coast’s median of $345,000 for the same period. Units and townhouses have also grown in value, climbing by 53.8 per cent in the five years to March. The median price achieved for a unit/townhouse in the March quarter was $458,750 – again ahead of the wider city’s median of $260,000.
Main Beach recorded a rental yield of 3.4 per cent for units and townhouses over the March quarter, less than the Gold Coast’s rental return of 4.8 per cent.
According to the 2001 Census, there were 30,416 people living in the Surfers Paradise region which includes Main Beach. The median age was 40, compared to the wider Gold Coast’s median age of 38. The median individual income was between $400 and $499 – less than the city’s median of between $600 and $699. Of all occupied private dwellings, 32.4 per cent were either fully owned or being purchased and 39.5 per cent were being rented.
Sea World is located at Main Beach, along with the acclaimed Marina Mirage shopping complex, Sheraton Mirage and the world’s first Palazzo Versace. North of Main Beach is The Spit where dune vegetation exists in its natural state. Breathtaking views have been capitalised on by developers who have built a number of high-rises to the east of Tedder Avenue. However, high-rise development is prohibited to the west, with stunning homes, villas and townhouses featured here instead.
Source: REIQ
Mermaid Beach
Well known for its wide beachfront and close proximity to some of the Gold Coast’s top attractions, Mermaid Beach is a residential only suburb that has long been sought after by property investors.
Mermaid Beach is home to families and retirees who have lived on the coast for many years; and it is not uncommon to see residents walking or exercising on the beachfront a few streets away.
One of Mermaid Beach’s most expensive streets, Hedges Avenue, which later turns into Albatross Avenue, is regarded as one of the most desirable addresses in Queensland. A Hedges Avenue home sold in September 2004 for $18 million, breaking the previous state record for a house and reaffirming the Gold Coast’s status as one of Australia’s hottest property markets.
Hedges Avenue itself is a small, one-way street set at 40km speed limit, with homes that are both expensive and impressive due to the absolute beachfront location continuing to drive prices skywards. It is reasonably quiet and relaxed, despite the busy Gold Coast Highway and shopping centres of Broadbeach nearby.
Town-planning also restricts new apartments and developments’ height levels, ensuring the suburb is not overcrowded with high-rises. This, evidently, has made it even more exclusive.
Most people who live in this suburb are attracted to the beach culture with a lifestyle that involves surfing and other water activities. It also has an active Surf Life Saving Club to patrol the beaches and provide activities to be enjoyed by both locals and tourists. The high calibre of this location is reflected in the median house price, which has come in in at over $1 million in past years, compared with the relatively modest median for the rest of the Gold Coast.
Source: REIQ
Mermaid Waters
Offering waterfront living, canal access, city infrastructure, schools and a range of leisure activities, it is easy to see why Mermaid Waters continues to attract buyers. For a coastal suburb, Mermaid Waters is fast developing an inner city feel, with new homes, townhouses and villa developments built on canals, man-made lakes and dry lots catering to a diverse range of residents. Most of the older established homes have been bought and re-sold or renovated because of the ideal location of the suburb.
Breezy, open-planned living on the canals has dominated renovations in the area, as cement walls are rendered and painted with bright modern colours in keeping with local designs.
Although city living often means a high-rise landscape and the hustle and bustle of traffic, Mermaid Waters has maintained a relaxed coastal lifestyle. While retirees enjoy the leisure of coastal living, couples, and families in particular, make up a large percentage of the residents attracted by easy access to modern amenities.
Mermaid Waters is conveniently located within 10 minutes of Miami State School, Miami High School and Merrimac High School, a hospital, the Q Super Centre, Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre. Leisure activities such as cinemas, a mass of restaurants and the beach are close by, as are the Gold Burleigh, Robina and Surfers Paradise golf courses. For those who want a good education, the Bond University is also a short five minute drive away.
Source: REIQ
Merrimac
The suburb of Merrimac is an eclectic fusion of acreage, nurseries, market gardens and paddocks, combined with a mixture of residential properties. Close to the Pacific Motorway, Robina Town Centre and schools, Merrimac remains more affordable than most other Gold Coast locations. A mix of Residential A housing enclaves and acreage properties gives Merrimac a semi-rural feel, even though it is encroached by heavily developed areas.
The wide-open spaces of Merrimac are more than likely to remain untouched, as they provide flood-mitigation benefits to the area. There are a large number of golf courses and sport facilities in the area. With rolling hills and flat plains, homes in Merrimac’s elevated positions enjoy sweeping views across the coast to the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach skyline.
Although this suburb has historically been a popular locality for rental properties, its affordability has seen increasing numbers of first and second home buyers move into the area.
Source: REIQ
Miami
Miami both beachfront and outdoor living, Miami centres on leisure facilities such as golf courses, walking parks and sporting clubs with swimming pools, tennis courts, and activity and little athletics centres frequented every weekend by the local residents and their children. Its peaceful and relaxing beachfront is patrolled by two surf clubs, Nobby Beach SLSC and Miami SLSC and extends from Nobby’s Magic Mountain through to North Burleigh. Three parks cover over a quarter of the suburb’s area.
Miami consists of established older style apartments and expensive homes situated along the beachside. Older beach houses on smaller lots can be found on the other side of the Gold Coast Highway. Several retail properties run the length of the Gold Coast Highway, mixed in with the old motels that are slowly being renovated or torn down to be replaced by stylish and more modern holiday apartments.
In the 1960s, holiday crowds would stay in nearby motels and visit Magic Mountain Entertainment Park, riding the hill by the main attraction, “the chair-lift”. Today the Mountain is no longer a theme park but home to holiday-let apartments with sweeping views of Nobby Beach to the north and the south. At the base of the mountain, retail shops and restaurants are abundant. Just a short walk around the south side is the Miami High School, the Miami Tavern and nearby Caravan Park, which attracts travellers, fisherman and sporting enthusiasts all year round. The small Nobby Beach shopping village has grown in recent times welcoming an overdue ‘facelift’ to the area. New and trendy neighbours have moved in to sell fresh fruit drinks and set up coffee shops and exotic delicatessens.
Complete with barbecue and picnic areas, Miami and Nobby Beach are situated on one of the more popular coastal strips of the Gold Coast. Every morning walkers and cyclists can be seen using the walking track that follows the beach and winds up along a steep trail to a cliff top lookout that divides the two suburbs, offering breathtaking views up and down the coast. There are plenty of attractions around Miami, particularly west of the highway, including Pizzey Park that has a pathway that weaves through pine trees and around a lake.
The Miami Olympic Pool is another landmark that has been a training centre for the likes of Grant Hackett, Gian Rooney and Ky Hurst, and there is also the local Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club, on Bob Singh Oval nearby, that has been welcoming football players and guests for more than 60 years. The Club has recently been renovated to keep up with the influx of rugby leagues enthusiasts. The ongoing revitalisation of this suburb by developers, council and local business has contributed to rising property values in the area. Recently Miami has been seeing a lot of new developments and investor interests, as well as owner-occupiers remaining at home to renovate and add built-ons and extensions to existing homes.
Community development has also been of recent focus, with two community halls available for hire within the suburb. Rugby league is the predominant sport of the region, with the local team, the Burleigh Bears, supplemented by one of the largest junior playing clubs in the state. Miami’s education facilities include the Miami Primary School and Miami State High School.
Source: REIQ
Mudgeeraba
Originally a forestry and saw milling town, Mudgeeraba is a long established area that has retained its charm and relaxed atmosphere more so than other areas on the Gold Coast. Only five minutes from the Robina train terminal and the Robina Town Centre and 15 minutes from the beautiful beaches of Broadbeach and Burleigh, Mudgeeraba has a selected mixture of residential and small acreage properties set amongst a leafy green environment. A quiet, semi-rural lifestyle is the attraction of the suburb: it has easy access to the Hinterland and a selection of nature trails, and is conveniently positioned near the Pacific Highway, 15 kilometres from Surfers Paradise. Many turn-of-the-century homes have been restored to their original grandeur, ensuring the area’s heritage nature is not lost as development in the area continues.
Mudgeeraba has its own primary school and is within striking distance of many of the Gold Coast’s educational institutions, including a variety of public and private high schools. Belying its ‘olde-worlde’ charm the area has many high quality restaurants in addition to excellent educational and shopping facilities. Of particular note is the famous Wallaby Hotel, a landmark amongst local residents. Sometimes referred to as the “green behind the gold”, Mudgeeraba was established in the late 1800s. Bound by Springbrook, Lamington National Park and the Hinze Dam, this area will always retain its natural beauty.
A road called The Panorama leads to lookouts which offer some of the best views over the Gold Coast City. In Tallai, large homes have been built on acreage in hilly areas to take advantage of the views over the coastline in the distance.
Source: REIQ
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is located around 15 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise, midway along what has been described as the Gold Coast’s most scenic stretch of beach. The low-lying dunes and vast expanse of white sandy beaches, together with close proximity to the natural waterways of the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creeks, have resulted in a high number of homes with spectacular water views.
There is a myriad of property types in the area; from high-rises to duplexes, renovated family homes to short-term holiday accommodation, and luxury multi-million-dollar mansions to original fibro housing from 30 to 40 years ago.
Historically, the suburb has attracted a large number of retirees seeking a relaxed, sunny sea change and when compared to the rest of the Gold Coast this still seems to hold firm. However, Palm Beach has become increasingly price-driven over the past decade in particular, with a significant increase in the number of younger families and childless couples in the area.
A stylish, contemporary atmosphere is burgeoning and in recent years the area has expanded to include new subdivisions, including a small section of canal development. Palm Beach is now one of the most densely populated areas of the Gold Coast.
A number of sports stars and television personalities are rumoured to have bought at Palm Beach. Prestigious Jefferson Lane, with its absolute beach front, has become renowned as a “millionaire’s row” and one of the Gold Coast’s best streets. The suburb’s location between the Gold Coast Highway and the Pacific Motorway make access to these major roadways fast and easy. The Gold Coast Airport at Bilinga is a five minute drive away.
Palm Beach has nine parks covering nearly 13% of the total area. The Gold Coast City Council has also recently undertaken the Palm Beach Protection Strategy in response to concerns about the ability of these dunal areas to provide an adequate buffer during storms.
Source: REIQ
Robina
Robina is an established vibrant community that has flourished significantly in the past two decades and offers a multitude of business, shopping, education, health and transport facilities. The continued demand for residential property from people of all walks of life is testament to the high quality lifestyle and variety of housing on offer, with something to suit everyone.
Robina is around 11 kilometres from Surfers Paradise and highly accessible, with excellent transport options available. The suburb enjoys smooth links to the Pacific Motorway and Gold Coast Highway and is situated on the Brisbane-Gold Coast railway line. The well-planned recreational facilities contribute to the pleasant leafy environment that Robina is renowned for. There are four local golf courses and more than 100 parks are scattered throughout the area, including sporting fields, picnic areas, playgrounds and a range of walking tracks.
Robina has high appeal for families as a result of the excellent educational facilities, including nine primary and secondary schools and 11 kindergarten and preschools. As home to Bond University, the suburb experiences a high demand for rental properties and a number of townhouse, apartment and villa complexes have emerged as a result. A number of residential estates offer a variety of price ranges, land sizes, and housing styles, from standard three or four bedroom family homes, grand waterfront homes, golf course villas, trendy terrace homes and spacious apartments Excellent employment opportunities are available locally as a result of the flourishing retail, education, and health industries.
Robina Town Centre is the suburb’s geographic and community hub, offering 220 specialty stores, supermarkets, restaurants and cinemas. The Robina campus of the Gold Coast Hospital is the site of an emerging medical precinct.
Source: REIQ
Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay, located at the northern end of the Gold Coast, was the original hub of residential activity in the northern Gold Coast region. The suburb is based around some of the best canal development on the Gold Coast and is one of the few areas to boast bridge-free access to the fabulous Broadwater.
Only minutes by boat to the Gold Coast seaway, the area’s excellent boating facilities include a number of public boat ramps in addition to its own wet and dry storage marina. The area has a great diversity of real estate catering to the first home buyer through to the million dollar investor, with product ranging from duplexes and villas through to high-rise apartments and large canal front homes. The trend in recent times in both dry and direct access waterfront areas has been the purchase and demolition of the older style homes to be replaced by modern homes making the most of the coastal lifestyle. With vacant land in the area all but gone, it is not surprising that the few blocks remaining are selling at a premium.
First class shopping and educational facilities in the area are attracting families from around Queensland and interstate. Harbour Town’s 130 stores are appealing to the budget conscious while Oxley Drive is developing a reputation as an Al Fresco dining precinct with a number of quality restaurants.
Source: REIQ
Sorrento
Sorrento is a small suburb that is encompassed by Bundall. It is centrally located in the heart of the Gold Coast city, south of Ashmore Road, and is identified as a quiet enclave of homes in a much desired area.The canal estate now has about 400 dry blocks and more than 800 waterfront blocks, backing onto the main river and linked canals. It is not uncommon for these riverfront properties to reach a price tag of over $4 million dollars and they remain the suburb`s main attraction.
The middle to upper class lifestyle is well catered for, with the convenience of nearby shopping facilities, Pindara Hospital, schools, and of course the famous Gold Coast beaches.Tucked away within Sorrento is the exclusive island address, Isle of Sorrento, which is made up of only a few streets – all named after Australian animals.
Single detached dwellings make up almost 95 per cent of housing in Sorrento, with the remainder townhouses and apartments. The majority of homes in Sorrento are over 30 years old and as such there is much renovation taking place in the area. The area also lends itself to razing existing buildings to make way for new developments.
Some of the last pieces of prime, waterfront vacant land in this highly sought after location went under the hammer last July. Hundreds of people descended on the Riviera Estate at Sorrento to witness the large auction of prestige housing lots, with one buyer shelling out more than $2.3 million for two east-facing waterfront blocks.The most recent release in Sorrento was a small development of land in Freyburg Street.
Source: REIQ
Southport
Only five minutes from Surfers Paradise, Southport is the central business district of the Gold Coast and offers a diverse range of real estate from luxury apartments in high rise apartment buildings with spectacular ocean views to older three storey walk-ups and duplexes. Over the years, traditional single family housing has made way for larger developments, transforming Southport into a higher density residential area. Investors now make up nearly half of Southport’s housing market and around 90 per cent of the unit/townhouse market.
Part of Southport’s appeal is its beautiful Broadwater parks which showcase some of the best recreational facilities available, including an aquatic playground offering a multitude of activities ranging from swimming, boating, fishing and water-skiing to the extreme of para-sailing and bungee jumping.
Southport boasts numerous large parks and is renowned for its leash-free dog park bordering the Nerang River. Shopping facilities in the area include Australia Fair and a variety of smaller shopping centres and convenience stores. A multitude of cafes, takeaways and restaurants are all within a five minute walk while churches, chemists, dentists, doctors, a specialist centre and an after-hours medical centre are all within a 10 minute walk.
One of the Gold Coast’s oldest suburbs, Southport is the hub of the city’s specialist medical services with more than 200 medical specialists and two large hospitals. The Southport Hospital is the largest regional hospital in Queensland. The mixed use of residential and commercial buildings in Southport has proven popular with younger and local buyers and is expected to attract more affluent residents to the area.
Southport is a well-reputed educational centre, offering both private and State systems. With the prestigious private boarding schools, TSS – The Southport School and St Hilda’s located in Southport it generates a lot of business for the area.
Southport is also the major law enforcement region for the Gold Coast, with the law district court located in the heart of the suburb. The Gold Coast’s sporting hall of fame is located at Owen Park, Southport, which is also home to the Gold Coast’s Historical Society. Offering character, variety and liveability, Southport is only six kilometres from Surfers Paradise and an easy commute from Brisbane. Rapidly becoming one of the Gold Coast’s real estate development hot spots, Southport has several high rise buildings scheduled to be built over the coming few years.
This includes the Raptis Groups’ current development of a three-tower retail, commercial and residential development with an end value of about $700 million in the heart of Southport’s central business district which promise to transform the Southport landscape. Two of the towers will stand at 40 storeys and the third will be 45 storeys. The first tower is already complete and the second and third towers have already commenced. As a key regional centre, Southport enjoys a high rate of employment, with many local residents walking to work or working from their home office.
Source: REIQ
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise has been at the centre of major development of the Gold Coast throughout the past 30 years and while development has spread north and south, it remains the heart of the Gold Coast. With inauspicious beginnings as a place called Elston, Surfers Paradise has continued to flourish since the introduction of the Surfers Paradise Hotel by Jim Cavill in 1925. Occupying a relatively narrow stretch of land across the Nerang River from Southport, Surfers Paradise is one of the most famous beaches in Australia.
Riverside subdivisions in 1949 brought a number of restaurants, boutiques, specialist gift shops, and a cosmopolitan population to the area. By 1960 central Surfers Paradise could boast its first high-rise apartment block, Kinkabool, and within seven years the now-familiar skyline of apartment buildings was visible from a distance.
Surfers Paradise has a diverse population of around 20,000 people, comprising of families, couples and retirees. The population grows enormously during peak tourist seasons allowing the Gold Coast tourism market to provide a dynamic employment base for residents. Following the trend toward inner-city living, the area has enjoyed a resurgence of interest and demand for centrally located properties.
Attracting more than four million visitors each year, this world famous suburb is home to the world’s tallest residential tower Q1. This 80 level landmark reaches 322 metres in the sky capturing breathtaking ocean and hinterland views. The Hiton Surfers Paradise Hotel and Residences is one of the suburb’s newest developments and is due to be completed in 2010.
With development sites few and far between and given the continuing demand for centrally located properties, increased interstate migration and the continual upgrading of the Surfers Paradise retail precinct, the future of residential investment in the area looks bright.
Source: REIQ
Tugun
Around 19 kilometres from Surfers Paradise, the small suburb of Tugun offers all the natural beauty of the Gold Coast with little of the associated hustle and bustle. With uninterrupted golden beaches and the highly-renowned Currumbin Oceanway, Tugun has long been an attractive option for holiday-makers and retirees.
However, apart from a limited number of beachside apartments that cater to tourists, the area is largely dominated by families and owner-occupiers attracted by the peaceful beachside community lifestyle.
Tugun’s most expensive streets are located along the beachfront but properties in the elevated micro-suburbs of Tugun Hill and Tugun Heights are also highly sought after, offering sweeping views out across the ocean.
Tugun is within close proximity to the Gold Coast Airport at Cooloongatta and is well serviced by local bus companies. The area will also benefit from the future extension of the electric rail line from Robina to the Gold Coast Airport.
The Tugun bypass, which travels west of the Gold Coast Airport, connects the Stewart Road interchange at Currumbin with the Tweed Heads Bypass just north of Kennedy Drive. The bypass has addressed what was once one of South East Queensland’s worst traffic bottlenecks. The seven kilometre route separates local traffic from tourist and most heavy vehicle traffic; reduces congestion, travel times and air pollution along the existing highway; and provides opportunities for improved public transport.
Tugun is home to the John Flynn Hospital and a number of excellent associated medical centres and facilities.
Source: REIQ
Varsity Lake
Varsity Lakes was created in 2002 when the suburb of Stephens was amalgamated with Andrews and a section of Robina to form this new fully-planned community. The suburb is conveniently located around 13 kilometres from Surfers Paradise and less than a seven minute drive from Burleigh beach. Close proximity to the Pacific Motorway and Robina train station make Varsity Lakes easily accessible.
Situated on Lake Orr and alongside Bond University, Varsity Lakes features an extensive network of beautifully presented waterways and recreational parks, which are linked by more than 20 kilometres of walking and bike trails. New and existing houses, units and townhouses are available to buy or rent throughout Varsity Lakes and a range of land packages are currently being sold at Varsity Sound and Azzurra Island.
Varsity College provides education for preschool to Year 12 and a range of additional education options are located in nearby suburbs. Cafes, restaurants and a range of retail outlets are on offer at the Lakefront Market Square and a burgeoning business district exists at Varsity Central, providing a range of local employment opportunities. Upon completion Varsity Lakes will comprise 3,000 dwellings over 343 hectares and up to 150,000m2 of commercial space in Varsity Central.
Varsity Lakes will also become home to 7,800 residents and 4,500 employees. Delfin Lend Lease have recently been awarded the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Masterplanned Development and Marketing Excellence awards for their provision of recreation, education, community and sporting facilities at Varsity Lakes.
Source: REIQ
