What is the closest beach to Gold Coast Airport?

Gold Coast Airport isn’t actually in Coolangatta – and the closest beach is less than a kilometre’s walk away from the terminal.

If you want to go to the beach before flying out of Gold Coast Airport – or head into the surf straight after landing – there are several options to choose from.

The Gold Coast is a series of Queensland beach towns strung together under one umbrella. Some of these are much closer to the airport than others, however.

Is Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta?

Given that Gold Coast Airport is sometimes known as Coolangatta Airport, it would be reasonable to assume that one of Coolangatta’s beaches is the closest to the airport. But the closest beach to Gold Coast Airport isn’t Rainbow Bay Beach, Greenmount Beach or Coolangatta Beach.

7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance

See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.

Is Bilinga Beach the closest beach to Gold Coast Airport?

This is because Gold Coast Airport isn’t actually in Coolangatta – it’s in Bilinga. Therefore, it might be reasonable to assume Bilinga Beach is the closest beach to Gold Coast Airport. And if you’re measuring from the top end of the runway, that is the case.

But from the terminal, where most people will leave Gold Coast Airport from, there is a closer beach than Bilinga Beach.

Bilinga Beach is a 4 minute drive away, but you can get to North Kirra Beach in just three minutes.

Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay

The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.

Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.

How far is North Kirra Beach from Gold Coast Airport?

The closest beach to Gold Coast Airport is North Kirra Beach. The walk from the Gold Coast Airport terminal to North Kirra Beach is about 950 metres long. That’s a 12 minute walk.

This is splitting hairs, though, as Kirra Beach, North Kirra Beach and Bilinga Beach are essentially sections of the same stretch of sand. Still, if you want to swim or surf just before flying out of the Gold Coast, North Kirra Beach is the closest place to do it.

Kirra Beach and North Kirra Beach run into each other. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Aside from the beaches, things to do on the Gold Coast include whale-watching cruises, hot air balloon rides, swimming at the Currumbin Rock Pools and shopping at the Carrara Markets.

You can also try jet boat thrill rides, Tamborine Mountain wine tours, dinner cruises and a combined kayaking with dolphins and snorkelling tours.