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" />It is a sad fact of life that often you don’t see your own backyard until you have visitors come to stay and you show them around. This was the case with my latest backyard discovery, the Southport Spit area just north of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Southport Spit is a narrow isthmus which splits the Southport Broadwater to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. At the top of the spit is the Southport Seaway which gives safe passage to boats and yachts into the safe harbour of the Southport Broadwater from the ocean.
Once you diverge into Seaworld Drive from Main Beach the road in passes the Southport Yacht Club and Marina, Fishermans Cove and Marina Mirage Shopping Centre, the luxurious hotels of Palazzo Versace and Sheraton Mirage, Boat Jetty, Fishing Trawlers and the fun park Seaworld. Plus there is also a large 3-4km open area with several dog exercise, picnic spots and places to put in your boat.
You can stroll out along the breakwall to the end and watch the boats come into the seaway. Or you can watch surfers and body boarders also use this passage to get to the surf beach located on the other side of the breakwall on South Stradbroke Island.
Many fisherman also try their luck fishing off the rocks at the seaway where there is flathead, tailor, trevally and a few Australian salmon readily available
The beach on the ocean side and in particular near the Sand Pumping Jetty, is a favourite for surfers as there are good breaks regardless of swell direction, with the conditions more dependent on the strength and direction of the wind. There are plenty of access points for surfers to find beach breaks with very few other surfers in the water.
The northern end of the beach is a pleasant spot for picnics, or just to relax and watch the waves on the shore. It’s a perfect place to get away from the crowds and the beach is dog friendly.
Federation Walk meanders along the sand dunes on the ocean side, stretching from Main Beach to the Seaway. It is an easy walk on crushed sandstone path that also attracts mountain bike riders and joggers.
There is a kiosk which sells drinks, icecreams, burgers and many other delights or you can grab some fresh seafood from the co-op on the drive back in along Seaworld Drive.
If you have a boat the Southport Spit is a great place to launch it and cruise around the calm waters of the Broadwater and maybe even over to Wavebreak Island or South Stradbroke Island. There is plenty of marine life to observe in the waters such as jellyfish, different species of fish and playful dolphins.
On the Broadwater side of Southport Spit there are many places with lovely white sandy beaches that are safe for swimming and ideal for relaxing.
The Broadwater also provides safe haven for boats and yachts which anchor in the sheltered calm waters for the night or a few days.
And lastly, but not least, is the Gold Coast top tourist attraction and well loved theme park, Seaworld which is located at Southport Spit.
This area would have to be one of Gold Coast’s best kept secrets! You can drive past the posh and upmarket Sheraton Mirage, Palazzo Versace and Marina Mirage Shopping Centre into a completely different world. A fabulous area that has been virtually untouched and has pristine beaches and waterways, is dog friendly and is never very crowded. I think I will be visiting the Southport Spit on a more regular basis!
Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
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Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
September 29, 2015We stayed at the Sea World resort one year and spent a lot of time in that area. My husband will be working there in October so he’ll have plenty to look at during his lunch times :)
Kathy
September 29, 2015I went to a function at Sea World Resort and they put on a special dolphin show for us. It was incredible. What a lovely place to work. As I said this area is one of the Gold Coast’s best kept secrets!
Rae Hilhorst
September 29, 2015What a glorious spot, you have everything at your fingertips x
Kathy
September 30, 2015It is a glorious spot in the Gold Coast away from the madding crowds. We are very fortunate to live in an area that has so many of nature’s attractions. I love bringing it to everyone!
seizetheday20
September 30, 2015Thanks for showing us around Southport Spit Kathy. I’ve never actually been right out there either. I’m also particularly impressed with your use of the word “isthmus”! ;-)
Kathy
September 30, 2015You are very welcome Lyndall. I don’t venture up to the northern end of the Gold Coast much, but my husband took me out in his boat a few months ago and thought it was worthwhile photographing. Isn’t isthmus a great word? :)
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
October 1, 2015There are many hidden treasures to be found when you explore your own backyard! Even though we have a dog and it is a dog freindly beach I am not really a fan of the spit but we do love Seaworld and the Marina.
Thanks for linking up for #wednesdaywanderlust
Kathy
October 2, 2015The Spit has had a bad reputation but I think it has been cleaned up a lot in the past few years. We normally stick to the southern end of the Gold Coast, but my husband puts his boat in at The Spit to go fishing sometimes. :)
Jess S
November 5, 2015This looks amazing, there are certainly worse places to live!
Kathy
November 6, 2015Thanks Jess. It is a lovely place to live. We are so lucky to have so much natural beauty around us. :)