Southport

Southport is a beachside port town and business district on Queensland’s Gold Coast, known for its rich history, moderate subtropical climate, and family friendly holiday activities.

Serviced by the local Gold Coast airport, Southport is easily reached by both domestic and international visitors, attracting holidaymakers with nearby Sea World, Dreamworld and Warner Bros. Movie World. With Sea World only two kilometres away, and with 56 percent of Australian adults claiming to have visited the attraction at some point in their lives, it’s no wonder that Southport accommodation remains busy throughout the year.

As the town’s name suggests, Southport is Queensland’s southern-most port, providing a natural harbour for boats, and granting easy access to water activities such as dolphin and whale watching cruises, as well as licensed boat hire.

While guests are expected in the summer months for the Gold Coast’s warm beaches and school holiday activities, dolphin and whale watching attracts visitors in the off season from June through to November.

To cater for year ‘round visitors, the town is home to 337 accommodation and food services, which provide 11.6 percent of Southport’s 59,800 residents with employment. Accommodation options include holiday parks, hotels, B&Bs and luxury resorts, supplying all demographics with an appropriate offering.

As a business district north of Surfers Paradise, the town has a significant shopping scene, with Australia Fair Shopping Centre close by, and a range of boutique stores lining the main street.

With the Southport Spit creating a divide between Southport and the Pacific Ocean, multilevel accommodation boasts stunning views towards the beach in one direction, and a view to local national parks in another.

Historically, the port was used to ship logs to Brisbane, but has had a booming tourism industry since the late 1800s when the Queensland Governor started to frequent the area for annual vacations. It has since become a hub for entertainment and relaxation, as well as business, having been named the region’s central business district four years ago.