What is the southernmost beach in Queensland?

By a tiny margin, Coolangatta Beach is the southernmost beach in Queensland. Waves tend to be relatively low, making it a relatively safe beach for swimming.

Queensland is renowned for its beaches, and they line up seductively all the way to the New South Wales border. But which is the southernmost beach in Queensland?

Looking at a map, this honour is obviously going to go to one of the Gold Coast beaches. And, specifically, one in Coolangatta. But working out exactly which of the Coolangatta beaches is furthest south requires a closer study of the map.

Coolangatta beaches

At first glance, it seems Duranbah Beach might be the southernmost beach in Queensland. But it is not as the border runs just north of it. Duranbah Beach is in Tweed Heads, and is the northernmost beach in New South Wales.

The temptation is to then look just over the border from Duranbah Beach, which would make Froggies Beach or Rainbow Bay Beach the southernmost beach in Queensland.

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.

The southernmost beach in Queenland

However, the Queensland – New South Wales border is on a diagonal, with Point Danger and Snapper Rocks acting as a headland jutting slightly out from Rainbow Bay. Coolangatta Beach (of which the eastern end is known as Greenmount Beach) is marginally further south than Rainbow Bay Beach.

Therefore, Coolangatta Beach is the southernmost beach in Queensland.

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.

Surfing and swimming at Coolangatta Beach

Coolangatta Beach is around 800 metres long and backed by heavy development. It is north-facing, and given that the swell usually comes from the south, this means waves tend to be relatively low.

This makes it a relatively safe beach for swimming, and Coolangatta Beach is patrolled by surf lifesavers. Stay between the flags, and you should be fairly safe.

There are often some decent beach breaks for surfers, although the most reliable break is off Greenmount Hill.