My very favourite part about living on the Gold Coast is the beach. Let’s get real, it’s WHY we live here. The outdoors, the sun, the water, the weather. The 6 weeks of rain we had almost sent every Gold Coaster certifiably crazy. The truth is, the Gold Coast is pretty boring without the outdoors.
Last night, as we were sitting in the park, looking at the ocean, eating our BBQ dinner, I started thinking about how many things you can do at the beach. There’s more than just swimming and sunbathing, you know! I wondered if others, who were visiting the Gold Coast, knew about all the awesome activities living by the beach had to offer. Here some things you can do at the beach:
1. Go for a run (or bike or walk) along the beach front. The Gold Coast has more than 50km of beach, and most of that is pathed for walking, riding, running along. You get a fantastic view, usually a nice breeze, and you get some exercise in, to boot! perfect! When I first started running I had to go to the beach to do it. The inspiring view pushed me along that little bit further.
2. Have a BBQ or picnic in the park. The absolute best part about Gold Coast parks (I’m guessing parks all across Australia?) is that there are well-maintained BBQs readily available for anyone to use! It has long been a tradition of ours to have a BBQ breakfast at the beach every Christmas morning. We try to do it as much as possible throughout the rest of the year, too – fresh air, yummy food, what else do you need?! Just make sure you clean it best you can for the next person coming along!
3. Play cricket (or footy, or frisbee). I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t have one of these photos on my phone/instagram account. I will endeavor to correct that as soon as possible. In the meantime, here’s a photo from pinterest, showing just how awesome a game of beach cricket can be!
(Source)
4. Lay in the dunes and read a book. You’ll sometimes find beaches that have trees in the dunes, providing some shade for a late afternoon relax and read on the beach. There is nothing more peaceful than the sound of the waves, a cool breeze, and a great book to while away the hours.
6. Fly a kite. We got this great kite from friends who went to Bali. It is certainly an eye-catcher, flying down the beach! The only problem with this, is that kids can get quite bored of it quite quickly. It’s usually the adults who are more interested in kite flying!
7. Go for a surf or boogie board. Nick got a boogie board for Christmas and it’s taken him a while to warm up but he absolutely LOVES it now! He has no fear, and fist pumps the air when he rides a wave all the way into the shore! Even the Mechanic and I have a blast catching a wave! Fun for young and old! You can even take a proper surfing lesson if you’re so inclined.
8. Look for shells. Some beaches are better for this than others. This picture was taken at our local beach, near the rocks at the headland. I am still not sure how they all get there, but I love looking for cool, unusual or massive whole shells. We bring them home, wash them and put them either in the fish tank or a vase that sits on the TV stand.
9. Draw in the sand. This pic was originally taken for a Fat Mum Slim PhotoADay prompt, but we’ve since done more drawing in the sand. Write your name, draw shapes, write something to remember your holiday. Grab a stick and have at it!
10. If you’re a local, join a surf club! Surf clubs have supporter memberships that are usually $10 or less for the year. Most of them will get you a 10% discount on food, and they often have member draws for cash or prizes. If you have kids, they can join nippers where they can learn about surf safety and grow their confidence in the ocean.
Colours of Sunset 
Aroha, we have traveled to many corners of the world and my favourite place for a family holiday is always the Gold Coast – I can’t get enough! Its only April and I have already started dropping hints “want to go back to the GC this summer?” Yes, 3 times in a row – but really that sand, surf and sun – I’ll take it 100 times in a row!
So awesome that you live there lovely xx
You’ll have to let me know if you come up and maybe we can have a “real” “conversation over coffee” 😉
Gorgeous photos. I love the beach even the little one in Melbs is great having come from the uk. I’ve yet to run on the beach though must check that off my to do list. Love the BBQs too we have been making the most of them. X
Running along the beach front is awesome. I did run ON the beach once too, barefoot, and F’d up my feet, so don’t do that!
Love doing most of the things you listed. I miss living near the beach and only wish I could pop down in an afternoon with a book.
Which beach has all those shells? So many beaches here are almost bare of shells.- deb xx
The shelly beach is down at Burleigh. I’m still not sure where they all come from or how they get there! I couldn’t imagine NOT living near the beach now. We are only 5 minutes drive away from our nearest beach and it’s still not close enough!
Yes all of those things are fabulous fun and not just at the Gold Coast.
Like Deb above, let us know which beach has those shells, I’ll be there in a heartbeat!
Becc @ Take Charge Now
That beach is down at Burleigh, with all the shells. Over near Oscars (?) and Burleigh Surf Club, around near the point.
I too loveeee living by the beach!!! But your beach would see a bit more sunshine than mine!! The pic for drawing in the sand is amae and i loveee the one of Nick and The amexhanic boogy boarding!!!
I must re visit the goldy some time soon!
Xx
we haven’t seen as much sunshine over the last 8 weeks as I’d have liked, but typically it is the perfect place to be!
That is the coolest kite I’ve ever seen Aroha! Great list – our local is more rocks than beach at the moment, but the Big Sister is loving having rockpools to explore.
unfortunately our beaches aren’t in the best condition either, after all the crap weather we’ve had, but it’s still ok. The kite looks very cool flying up in the sky!
I love living here too – not that we ever go to the beach but then we lived in Durban and never went to the beach either !! We are just not sand people.
Having said that I do enjoy walking/running along the Broadwater – where there is no sand !
Have the best week and take care !
Love, hugs and positive energy.
Me
Sometimes I like just the VIEW of the beach, too, not getting wet and sandy and dirty and taking all that home in the car with us!
Love this. I love the beach so much! If I could run at the beach, I totally would but have to settle for our river instead which is beautiful nonetheless x
it’s still a view of the water! anything is better than running on a treadmill with a view of a wall!
You make me want to go to Gold Coast right now! We do have beaches in SG, but I doubt any as lovely as the beaches in Aust. It’s too crowded and can get kinda dirty here
Ai @ Sakua Haruka
Well what are you waiting for?! Pop on over for a visit! 🙂
A favourite of ours is the sand writing. Also, war. They each build fort some distant apart and then when they are ready they throw ‘bombs’ at each others to see who’s falls first. That is a brilliant kite! Love the boogie boarding action photo!
oooh have not played this “war” but sounds fun! I’m sure there’s a million other things to do at the beach, too!
My family live up that way, so we holiday on the Gold Coast 3 times a year. My goal, is within the next 5 years to move from Sydney up there. What a great place to raise kids!
I think it’s a great place for kids. I grew up here, and love that my son is growing up here, too. Hope you guys get to make the move!
I take kites to the beach and everyone thinks I’m weird (well, my friends, not strangers) It’s so zen flying kites, especially if there’s a bit of work to get them over the eddys…
Surprisingly we don’t see many kites around, and to be honest, Nick bores of it within minutes, but there is definitely something peaceful about flying a kite, I agree!
Oh lovely, my fave would always be to read a book. I wish!! Spend lots of time in the sea and collecting shells and running around. Love the photo of learning to boogie board, it’s a great shot.
There’s nothing better than having a nice hot day, popping up your beach tent, floating over the waves, snoozing in the shade, building sandcastles….there’s nowhere else I’d rather live!
We live near the beach and I love how we can go and take a late afternoon stroll in the middle of the week and just enjoy the waves and the last ray’s of the day.
We definitely live in a blessed country!
We definitely do, Grace! I love being able to just pop down there on a whim as well, and having so many things to choose from to do!
I’d love to have a really nice beach near here that we could just live at. And we would too if we could. When we were in SA over Christmas, we spent so much time at the beach. There is nothing like it.
It’s my head-clearing place. It’s like nothing else matters when you’re at the beach.
Your right, there’s not much to do inside here, but why would you with our amazing weather and beaches:)
Exactly…except you know, when it rains for 6 weeks straight! 🙂 We’re having an inside day today, which is great once in a while!
A fantastic list hun! Let’s not forget scootering with awesome friends!! xx
Totes! That was great fun today, I think the kids had a blast.
you forgot skinny dipping!!! I love me a moon lit skinny dip!!
ha ha. I also forgot romping in the dunes, but thought I should keep it family friendly! 😉
We’re just so lucky to have all this on our doorstep, Aroha! x
I know! I am thankful every day!
We’re heading north in a couple of days to do the whole coastal thing. Timely post!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Oooh nice! See if you can add to the list! 🙂
Is N going to be the right age for Nippers this season? He’ll love it, the early Sunday mornings are a bit of a pain though!
He turns 5 at the end of June. Is that when they start? I am not sure if he’d like it or not, but will look into it. Trying to get him to try as much as possible and the pick what he likes.
While we don’t have a Goldcoast type beach I do so love the beaches we have. I couldn’t bare the thought of not being able to drive past the ocean every day
I couldn’t move away from here at this point I don’t think. I love it far too much. Went for an 8k run along the beachfront this morning, it just lifts the spirits.
You’re making me crave summer again already!
another benefit to the Gold Coast, even winter is really nice. Not quite summer, but still beautiful enough to get outside! 🙂
I love the GC! There’s always something to do. I’ve been many times pre-kids and twice since having kids. An excellent holiday destination. Love it!
There is always something to do – outside! When the weather is crap it’s a bit harder, but we make do I guess!
I absolutely adore the boogie boarding pic & the heart in the sand. Such great shots, well captured!!
Thanks C! He loves to boogie board!
Nice ideas. We live near the beach too. Something else we have been doing is my daughters spelling homework in the sand … Sometimes makes it a little more bearable.
What a great idea! Makes it a bit more exciting than the old sitting at a desk and writing on paper!
I have to confess that we are not beachgoers at all, even though we live 20 mins from several Newcastle beaches. I have to admit that I love the idea of the beach rather than the reality! Hoping the sunshine continues for you now the rain has cleared!