Boards and Beers: Balter Brewings Guide to the Gold Coast

Discover the best of the Gold Coast by day and night with our guide to the region’s top beaches and brew pubs. We’ve teamed up with the crew at Balter Brewing Company to bring you the top destinations up and down the coast, so you can get your fill of sunshine and sundowners in the company of your best mates.

Ready to get your fill of golden sands and golden ales? From Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta and every stretch of sand in between, Balter Brewing Company’s scoop on the best beaches and beers in the Gold Coast has got you covered.

Burleigh Heads

Best for: beautiful views and a big night out

Start your Gold Coast beach crawl just south of the action in Burleigh Heads. Backed by towering pine trees and a grin of golden sand, this scenic stretch of coastline beckons surfers, sunbathers and swimmers all year round – but that’s not this beach’s biggest claim to fame. Staring out from the foreshore back to the soaring skyscrapers of Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads offers world-class surf and spectacular views in equal measure.

When you’re ready to trade your beach towel for a seat at the bar, head to Justin Lane – a chic rooftop osteria specialising in Italian small plates and wood-fired pizzas, or opt for a window seat at Rick Shores. Home to “one of the best locations in Australia” as far as the crew at Balter are concerned, this trendy bar and restaurant is made even better with its “amazing cocktails, wine list and Balter on tap”.

Palm Beach

Best for: crystal clear water and classic pub grub

Perennial winner of Queensland’s cleanest beach, it’s hard to believe this pristine patch of sand is just 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise. Lined by quaint beach shacks and the leafy palms from which it gleans its name, this laidback inlet was practically made for a leisurely afternoon in the sunshine – but that doesn’t mean travellers seeking surf will be left out. Follow the headland around to Tallebudgera Beach and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of barrelling waves to paddle out to.

After an afternoon in the sun or the sea, keep things low key at Burgster – a New York-style eatery loved by the Balter team for its “epic cocktails, cold beers and insanely good burgers” – or dig in to a more diverse offering of American cuisine at Lester and Earl – where dishes like slow-smoked brisket and pork ribs bring a taste of Texas BBQ to the Gold Coast.

Currumbin

Best for: secluded coastlines and craft beer

If the Gold Coast’s more popular beaches leave you longing for a stretch of sand to call your own, make a beeline for Currumbin Beach, where you’ll find clear blue water and crashing waves without the crowds. A long-time favourite with local surfers thanks to its reliable right-hand break, this picturesque foreshore also caters to a wide range of watersports, with kayaking and paddle boarding topping the list of must-try activities.

Once you’re ready to see out the day with a sundowner, follow the winding Currumbin Creek inland to reach Balter Brewing Company. Home to the award-winning XPA along with pilsners, IPAs and brews of all kinds, this self-proclaimed brewing palace opens its doors Friday through Sunday to tend to your beer drinking needs. Found yourself in Currumbin outside of operating hours? No problem. The spoils of this home-grown brewery are available on tap at pubs up and down the coast, so you can get your fix any day of the week. 

Nobby Beach

Best for: friendly vibes and alfresco dining

Located just south of “Millionaire’s Row” in Mermaid Beach, this humble beachside ‘burb shares the same stretch of sand of its ritzier counterpart up the coast – but don’t let its prestigious postcode fool you. Known more for its friendly atmosphere than its luxury residences, Nobby Beach is prime territory for a beach day with mates, particularly if you’re looking to catch waves without a queue.

After you’ve had your fill of this locally-loved break, settle in at Balter’s favourite “craft beer hub”, Bine, for a rotating selection of tap beers and bar snacks, or embrace a bit of the island life at MexiCali, where you’ll find California-style Mexican cuisine and cold drinks in the sunshine. (After all, as the Balter team says, “there’s nothing better than beer and Mexican”).

Coolangatta

Best for: consistent surf and casual eats

Perched at the southern end of the Gold Coast’s famed shoreline, Coolangatta is the final frontier before the Sunshine State becomes New South Wales – but there’s no need to cross the border to find a great beach. Head to the rocky outcrop where the two states meet and you’ll find yourself at one of the country’s most-famed surf breaks, aptly called the Superbank thanks to its consistent conditions.

Once you’ve braved the Gold Coast’s legendary manmade break, take the edge off at Eddie’s Grub House. Located just steps from Snapper Rocks, this unpretentious eatery is a favourite with the crew at Balter thanks to its “grungy dive bar” vibes, “epic drinks menu” and “a lot of good times”.

Ready to experience the best craft beer and beaches on the Gold Coast? Whether you’re exploring the region in search of sun or surf, the team at Balter Brewing Company have your perfect getaway sorted. Book your flights to the Gold Coast with Virgin Australia today and find a piece of paradise (and an ice cold pint) to call your own.