Good vibes and great food: how to spend 48 hours in Coolangatta
Itinerary
By Danielle Reckless
Coolangatta is legendary in surfing circles, but you don’t need to be an expert (or a surfer at all) to embrace its balmy holiday vibes.
This sleepy pocket at the very southern end of the sunshine state is often overlooked by its glittering northern neighbour, Surfers Paradise, but it’s here that you’ll find the soul of the Gold Coast – sweeping white-sand beaches with a consistent right-hand surf break, parks framed by Pandanus palms, views for days, a healthy mix of options for eating and drinking, and a pace that’ll quickly have you falling into the groove with the laid-back locals.
So, to help you decide how you’re going to spend a precious 48 hours away from your busy schedule, we’ve curated our fave things to do in Coolangatta in this handy little guide.
Friday
6pm: Set the tone
Photo by @baskk_italian
We want to see your weekend start right, and that means dinner and vinos beachfront at one of the best restaurants in Coolangatta, Baskk Italian.
With a menu Nonna would be proud of, rest assured knowing you're in the hands of Roman experts. Dive straight into the joint's famous focaccia, antipasto and prawn linguine, before sinking your teeth into the best margherita di buffalo this side of Napoli.
Finish off your Friday with one of their signature cocktails in hand (you don't want to miss the Baskk In The Sun) and breathe in that fresh sea breeze. Magic.
Saturday
7:30am: Wake up, it’s the weekend
Day one is no time for sleep ins or lazy long breakfasts, swing by local favourite Little Mali Café for a coffee, smoothie or acai bowl to go (psst: they do have all-day brekky if you over-indulged last night).
8am: Learn to surf in the home of legends
Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta
Coolangatta’s surf breaks are world famous. And while we’re not recommending you jump in for the first time with a board at Snapper Rocks (trust us when we say that’s better left to the experts), closer to the shoreline, the mellow shallows of Rainbow Bay and Greenmount are perfectly suited for beginners.
When you catch your first wave, be proud knowing you’re in the company of royalty; these waves are where local world surfing champs Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore got their water wings.
1pm: Hungry. Must eat.
Photo by @greenhouse_canteen
Surfing is hungry work so there’s good chance you’ll be famished by now. A short stroll from the beach will land you at Greenhouse Canteen, a cafe and bar dedicated to cruelty free eats. A local fave for all, vegetarians and vegans will be spoilt for choice here. Grab a round of jackfruit or cauliflower tacos and settle in.
3pm: Break up the feasting with a spot of shopping
On Coolangatta’s waterfront, The Strand is a sparkling new complex filled with boutiques that’ll easily while away an hour or more. Appreciate artistic talent and creativity? The Strand hosts a revolving roster of art and photography exhibitions.
If this is not up your alley, The Surf Club Coolangatta might be calling your name for a mid-arvo local brew or two with a view!
4pm: Treat yourself to a scoop (or three)
Photo by @_mygelato_
Cooly boasts not one – but two – gelato shops.
If you’re still near The Strand, stop in to Aussie icon Gelato Messina and work your way through 35 drool-worthy flavours. Our pick? The Salted Coconut with Mango Salsa and the Macadamia Crunch. Bliss.
Over at Kirra Beach, My Gelato will tempt you with its authentic scoops of Biscotto and Cioccolato made daily on premises.
But why not try both?
6pm: Those good vibes come for free
Photo by Hayley Williamson for The Urban List
Take a scenic 15-minute stroll north to Kirra where you’ll find good-vibes tiki bar and grill, Tupe-Aloha. This is the kind of establishment that’ll instantly boost your mood; with a vibrantly eclectic décor featuring the personal artwork collection of the young local owners.
The animated crew here will keep you well watered and fed with burritos, tacos, margaritas and everything else we love about Mexican food with a Hawaiian twist – Tupe-Aloha is easy going Gold Coast life at its best.
9pm: Kick on at a dive bar
Eddie’s Grub House dishes up some of the best burgers on the coast, but even if you’ve already had your fill of burritos it’s worth ducking into this dive bar for beer, bourbon and live music.
Bonus points if you can find the secret Janitors Closet piano bar nearby.
Sunday
8am: Wake up and smell the salty sea breezes
Photo by Hayley Williamson for The Urban List
Café Dbar, with its commanding position at the southern-most coastal tip of Queensland, is not-to-be-missed on a trip to Coolangatta. Serving up some of the best breakfasts and coffee in the south, its style and carefree vibe exemplifies the surf-cum-bohemian culture of the Gold Coast.
Grab a table in the sunroom upstairs or the beachy dining room on ground level, and don’t miss a wander through the darling art gallery and homewares store at the rear.
10am: Swim at secret beach
Photo by Brooke Darling for The Urban List
Froggies Beach is that magical wedge of sand located between Snapper Rocks and Point Danger. Protected from the elements by the surrounding rocky headlands, this hidden pocket is fringed by weeping casuarinas, pandanus palms, and scattered driftwood.
Should the water be too turbulent for swimming, seek out the tiny rock pool just to the north.
12pm: Lunch with a view of the action
Rainbow Bay Surf Club Bar, Coolangatta
We’ve already mentioned Snapper Rocks is legendary in surfing circles. You only need whisper the name and salty types’ eyes will widen recalling tales of epic barrels and long rides that boosted them all the way to Greenmount. And the best seat from which to watch the wave-slaying action is on the wrap around old Queenslander-style deck of the much-loved Rainbow Bay Surf Club.
Its facilities are simple, which is all part of the charm, but its street cred is solid as home to the Quiksilver Pro and only one of 10 international stops on the World Surfing League roster. Pair your visit with a long lazy lunch and a frosty pint, and we reckon you’ll be making plans for a permanent sea change.
5pm: Sunday session with the locals
Photo by Hayley Williamson for The Urban List
By now you’ll understand you don’t need to travel far to revel in the surf culture that is synonymous with the Gold Coast. What better way to show how well you’ve blended into the scene than a Sunday session with the locals at their fave surf shop slash café bar, Sunhouse.
Follow your nose to the wafting aromas of slow-cooked BBQ, brisket, pulled pork and finger-licking ribs from a permanent food truck, JR’s Smokehouse. This is our kinda Sunday arvo well spent!
Monday
6:30am: Walk on water in Currumbin
Pack your bags the night prior and get up early; your weekend isn’t over just yet, so let’s squeeze in one final waterborne adventure. Jump in the car for a short 15-minute drive north to Currumbin Creek. This blue water estuary is a dream scene with mirror-like azure waters simply made for stand-up paddle boarding.
No prior experience? No worries! It’s the easiest water-based board sport going; even grandma could (probably!) do it. For board rentals, look for the Currumbin Boat Shed.
9am: Refuel and return to reality (sigh)
Dash back to the hotel for a quick shower prior to check out, then swing by Fresh Garden Café to refuel with a supercharged smoothie or acai bowl.
When to visit
Time your trip for October when one of the country’s toughest endurance events comes to town: the Coolangatta Gold. Whether you’re race ready or more spectator material, Coolangatta is at the heart of the action as a 41.8-kilometre long course (or the 21-kilometre short course) sees competitors ski, swim, board and run their way to the finish line.
Make your way here in March to watch our best surfers battle it out off Snapper Rocks in the Quiksilver Pro and Boost Mobile Pro.
Extend your stay and visit more of the Gold Coast's best restaurents.
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