Were not called the Gold Coast for nothing. Our city sits on a 70 kilometre stretch of fine sandy gold beaches washed constantly by the subtropical South Pacific Ocean. If you can't find your own piece of beach heaven here, you should just go home. Here are three of the best beaches to get you started.

Surfers Paradise Beach

Yep, this is it. Surfers Paradise is where the city meets the surf and everybody wants to be seen. It is a big, safe beach for swimming and board riding, though the most people just sun themselves and people watch. Even on the busiest days there is room to hang out and plenty of shops, cafes, bars and attractions surround the strip.

Broadbeach

Want to escape the crowds of Surfers Paradise? Come just a few kilometres south to Broadbeach and take a relaxing swim between the flags at Kurrawa, then wine and dine in the many restaurants in the area. 

Burleigh Heads Beach

Burleigh is a real Gold Coast beach. Surrounded by parks, bbq areas, small shops, plenty of locals and a true community feel. Close to everything but the perfect place to relax on the clean sand, listen to the waves and enjoy the fact you are on the famous Gold Coast.

Kirra Beach

Known by those who count as one of the world’s true great surf breaks. This is where Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore do their thing when on the Gold Coast. Locals and visitors gather on the points and lookouts to watch the perfect Kirra barrel take surfers on a 2km ride lasting up to five minutes.

Also home to the tri-nations Beach Cricket competition in January, Kirra is an essential stop on the way to the Gold Coast.

Coolangatta

Home to the Quiksilver Pro held late February to early March every year, the "Superbank" draws the best surfers in the world to win the first event on the ASP surfing calender. Combining Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Beach, Greenmount Beach and Coolangatta the surf remains a major drawcard to the area. Epic waves and a multicultural  community will make this a memorable trip.

For more information on all of the best Gold Coast beach spots, check out www.verygoldcoast.com.au/destinations