Palm Beach is the Gold Coast suburb that’s still figuring out whether it wants to be discovered. Classic old-style beach shacks sit alongside newer builds along the foreshore, the cafe and bar scene has grown up without losing its local feel, and the four kilometres of beach between Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks rarely feels crowded even on a good weekend. It’s less polished than Burleigh to the north and less built-up than Surfers further along the coast, and that’s exactly the appeal.
| Feature | Summary |
|---|---|
| Known For | A 4km laid-back beach, classic beach shacks, a growing local cafe and bar scene |
| Best For | Beachgoers wanting a quieter alternative to Surfers or Burleigh, families, waterfront lifestyle buyers |
| Atmosphere | Laid-back, local, residential with a growing dining scene |
| Crowds | Moderate, busier on weekends, quieter than Burleigh or Surfers |
| Walkability | Good along the Gold Coast Highway strip and foreshore |
| Dining Scene | Good, a genuine spread of bars, restaurants and cafes |
| Local Character | Residential, family-friendly, less developed than its northern neighbours |
| Hospitals | No hospitals in Palm Beach; John Flynn Private Hospital (Tugun) approx 10-15 minutes, Robina Hospital approx 20-25 minutes |
| Schools | Palm Beach State School (primary) and Palm Beach Currumbin State High School (secondary), both within the suburb |
| Transport | No G:link station in Palm Beach; nearest is Burleigh Heads (new southern terminus, opened mid-2026); OOL airport approx 15-20 minutes south |
Palm Beach Suburb Map
Who It Suits
Palm Beach suits beachgoers who want the space and laid-back feel of a southern Gold Coast beach without driving all the way to Currumbin or Coolangatta, and families who want a genuine local community feel with a real high school, a Saturday farmers’ market and a beach you can actually find parking near.
It also suits waterfront lifestyle buyers drawn to the suburb’s inland canal living, and visitors who want a quieter base with a still-decent spread of cafes, bars and restaurants nearby.
It suits less well anyone wanting a big-name attraction, nightlife on the scale of Surfers Paradise, or direct light rail access, Palm Beach itself doesn’t have a G:link station and isn’t expected to get one. For now, that means a car or bus remains the practical way to get around.
Things to Do in Palm Beach
Palm Beach is all about simplicity, getting outdoors, and most of all, enjoying the beachside life.
- Palm Beach Parklands (945 Gold Coast Hwy), a large park with plenty of play areas for kids and boating access on the estuary
- Laguna Park (117/119 Laguna Ave), regularly rated among the better playgrounds on the Gold Coast
- The Craft Parlour (1059 Gold Coast Hwy), a craft and art workshop studio
- All Coast Paddle Board Hire (1544 Gold Coast Hwy), hire paddle boards and explore Tallebudgera Creek
Beach
Palm Beach is a 4km, northeast-facing beach bordered by Tallebudgera Creek to the north and Currumbin Creek to the south. Stick to swimming between the flags, lifeguard towers and clubs are positioned at Palm Beach SLSC (near Seventh Ave), Pacific SLSC (between Seventeenth and Nineteenth Ave), Tower 13/South Palm Beach Lifeguards (end of Thrower Drive), Tower 17/Tallebudgera Creek Lifeguards, the Neptune Royal Life Saving Club, and Tallebudgera SLSC. Check the Palm Beach guide at Beachsafe for current lifeguard hours and conditions before you swim.
Shopping in Palm Beach
- Pennant Surf Store (7/1136 Gold Coast Hwy), surfwear and gear
- The Surfboard Warehouse (1237 Gold Coast Hwy), surfboards
- Palm Beach Farmers’ Market, every Saturday 6am to 11am at Palm Beach Currumbin High School, the real community hub of the suburb more than any single shop or cafe
Where to Eat, Drink and Get Coffee
For a meal or a drink, The Collective (1128 Gold Coast Hwy) is a hip bar and restaurant worth booking ahead for on weekends, The Scottish Prince (shop 27/1176 Gold Coast Hwy) is a dedicated whiskey bar and restaurant, Burgster (4/10 Philippine Parade) does a genuinely good burger, and the Palm Beach Surf Club (117 Jefferson Ln) covers bar, gaming and bistro in one easy stop.
For coffee, locals rotate between Barefoot Barista (15 Palm Beach Ave) for artisan coffee and food, Jeffersons Coffee Nook (117 Jefferson Ln) for a beachside coffee, Espresso Moto (2/1389 Gold Coast Hwy), and Sisterhood Coffee (1099 Gold Coast Hwy).
What It’s Like to Live Here
Palm Beach had a population of 14,183 at the 2021 census, with a median age of 42 and a median household income of around $1,250 a week. Three quarters of residents own their home, the remaining quarter rent, and 72 percent were born in Australia, with the United Kingdom, New Zealand and China the most common overseas birthplaces among the rest. Locals will tell you Palm Beach still has a noticeably more laid-back feel than Burleigh or Surfers, the classic beach shacks dotted along the foreshore haven’t all fallen to developers yet.
The 2021 census put the median house price at $950,000, a figure well out of date now. Current property data puts the median house price at approximately $1,780,000, with annual growth around 2.71 percent, while units have grown considerably faster at around 18.68 percent over the past 12 months. Median rent for houses sits around $1,100 a week, with a rental yield of roughly 3.45 percent. Houses typically spend about 28 days on market, with 216 houses and 266 units changing hands in the past year, a solid level of activity for a suburb this size. Ask anyone who’s lived here a while and they’ll mention the farmers’ market at the high school every Saturday morning as the real community hub, more than any single cafe or bar.
Hospitals
There are no hospitals within Palm Beach. John Flynn Private Hospital in neighbouring Tugun, a 345-bed hospital with 24-hour emergency care, is approximately 10-15 minutes away and the nearest major hospital to the suburb. Robina Hospital, the nearest public hospital with a full emergency department, is approximately 20-25 minutes north.
Schools
Palm Beach State School and Palm Beach Currumbin State High School both sit within the suburb, giving Palm Beach a level of educational self-sufficiency that several neighbouring suburbs don’t have.
Home Prices in Palm Beach
As of 2026, median house prices are now approximately $1.9–$2.0 million, representing annual growth of around 10–13%, while unit values have climbed to around $1.16–$1.29 million. The unit market has been particularly strong as downsizers, retirees, and lifestyle buyers compete for a limited supply of quality apartments near the beach.
Rental Prices in Palm Beach
Median house rents are now around $1,200–$1,400 per week, while units are typically achieving $850–$875 per week. Rental yields remain relatively modest for a coastal suburb at approximately 3.3–4.2%, reflecting strong capital values rather than weak rental demand. Vacancy rates remain low, and competition for quality rentals continues to be a feature of the market.
Transport
Palm Beach is serviced by the Surfside bus network running along the Gold Coast Highway, with frequent stops through the suburb connecting to Burleigh Heads, Currumbin and beyond. Use the Translink Journey Planner to map a specific route.
There is no G:link station in Palm Beach. Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 opened in mid-2026, extending the network from Helensvale to a new southern terminus at Burleigh Heads, a short drive or bus ride north of Palm Beach and the closest light rail has ever come to this part of the coast. A further extension south through Palm Beach and Tugun to the airport was planned as Stage 4 but was officially cancelled in September 2025, so Palm Beach is not expected to get its own station.
By car, Surfers Paradise is approximately 20-25 minutes north via the Gold Coast Highway. Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is approximately 15-20 minutes south, with a taxi or rideshare typically costing $35-50.
FAQ
Is Palm Beach a good place to live?
Yes, particularly for families. Palm Beach has its own primary and secondary schools, a laid-back beach, a strong local cafe and bar scene, and a community feel anchored by the weekly farmers’ market. The trade-off is limited public transport, with no G:link station and the nearest one now at Burleigh Heads.
Does Palm Beach have a G:link station?
No. The nearest G:link station is at Burleigh Heads, the new southern terminus following the Stage 3 extension that opened in mid-2026. A planned further extension through Palm Beach to the airport was cancelled in September 2025.
What’s the best beach access point in Palm Beach?
Access points are spread along the 4km stretch, with patrolled sections near Seventh Avenue (Palm Beach SLSC), between Seventeenth and Nineteenth Avenue (Pacific SLSC), and near Tallebudgera Creek at the northern end. Always swim between the flags and check Beachsafe for current conditions.