Car & Van Hire - Surfers Paradise

Unsurprisingly, most visitors to Surfers Paradise come for the waves. The main city beach is a popular spot for surfers, and there are also surf schools here for newcomers to the sport. Take care, though, as parts of the beach are flagged off just for swimmers. Other nearby hotspots include Narrowneck, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin Point. These are more popular with seasoned surfers, as they have larger waves than the main beach at Surfers.

If surfing doesn't appeal, don't worry. There are plenty of other aquatic activities you can enjoy during your Surfers Paradise stay. Stand-up paddle boards have become increasingly popular in recent years, and adventurous boarders can even paddle out to Chevron Island or Macintosh Island. You can also rent a sea kayak, which is one of the best ways to enjoy the sunset over the Gold Coast. There are many different options for boat rides, from slow river cruises to fast-packed speedboats. If you visit between June and November, you can even take a whale-watching catamaran trip. This is one of the best spots in Australia to see humpback whales during their migration season.

Thrill seekers will never get bored in Surfers Paradise. As well as fun on the water, you can head to the SkyPoint observation deck for incredible views across the city. For a truly unforgettable experience, go for the SkyPoint Climb, which will see you climb from the 77th floor of the SkyPoint building to its highest point, a dizzying 270 metres above the ground. You don't need to be an experienced climber, but it's certainly not for the faint-hearted!

Car rental in Surfers Paradise lets you set your own pace as you enjoy your Queensland getaway. Of course, you can use your car to drive up and down the coast in search of beaches and surf, but you might want to mix things up a bit. Try heading inland to Tamborine Mountain, just 45 minutes' drive away. Follow the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk for a stroll among the trees, or try one of the many hiking trails that wind around this national park. For more rainforest, try Lamington National Park. One of the best hikes here is the Coomera Circuit, which runs for 17 km through dense rainforest and lets you see the dramatic Coomera Falls.

If you're travelling with the family, you might also want to swing by the Gold Coast theme parks. There are five major parks with something for everyone, from gentle kids' rides to white-knuckle rollercoasters, as well as fun daily shows and more.

Traffic in this area generally flows from Surfers Paradise towards the city of Gold Coast in the mornings and back again in the evenings. Traffic is not generally very heavy, but you might want to keep this in mind when planning your trip. Surfers is a popular weekend destination, so you'll see more traffic on the roads on Friday and Sunday evenings. There are several multi-storey car parks around Surfers Paradise where you can park all day. Alternatively, there is metered on-street parking.

There is a tram system in Surfers Paradise and other parts of the Gold Coast, so keep that in mind when driving in the city. You can also expect to see a large number of cyclists, and the areas around the beaches are usually busy with pedestrians. There is usually a 50 km/h speed limit in Surfers Paradise, but you may find that traffic in the town often moves slower.

Car or van rental in Surfers Paradise will let you travel around and see more of Queensland, but you will need to be aware of toll roads. There are no toll roads on the Gold Coast, but if you are driving to Brisbane via the M1, you will pass a toll booth. The state of Queensland uses electronic tolls, and your car should be fitted with an e-Tag. This is not the only toll booth in and around Brisbane. If you plan to visit the city, you should check the route in advance.

Queensland is prone to extreme weather, particularly in the months between October and April. If you are visiting during this time, you should always keep a watchful eye on weather reports. Heavy rains are common and can cause flooding. A flash flood can lead to roads being closed very quickly. When a road is closed due to floodwaters, do not attempt to enter it.

If you are driving along the coast, you are less likely to see animals alongside the road. Once you turn inland, they are a common sight, particularly kangaroos. You might want to admire them as they hop alongside the road, but ensure that you keep your distance. These animals are a major cause of traffic accidents in Australia. It's best to avoid driving at night when they are most active.