If you squint into the sunshine and cast your mind back a little over a century, you can almost picture the Southport of old, one of the Gold Coast’s earliest and most fashionable seaside destinations. Originally called Nerang Creek Heads, it wasn’t long before Southport’s name was changed to mirror that of the English resort of the same name.
This area has a rich romantic history which in the 1890s attracted Queensland Governor Anthony Musgrave and his entourage for its sideshow theatre, the Southport pier and its picture theatre. Brisbane’s well-heeled arrived by cutter or steamer and were rowed to shore. While access to this pretty place has since improved vastly, its appeal remains. Just north of Surfers Paradise, it is one of the major business hubs of the Gold Coast and overlooks the dazzling Broadwater and the Southport Spit which divides the Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean.
Shop at Australia Fair Shopping Centre, or escape to the languid stretch of parklands here, along which you can wander and daydream that you are back in the days of petticoats and parasols.
Quick Facts
Southport is a suburb of Gold Coast in Queensland. It is located approximately 69kms from the capital Brisbane covering an area of 14.256 square kilometres. Southport has a recorded population of 31908 residents and is within the Australian Eastern Standard Time zone Australia/Brisbane.
If you are planning a visit to Southport we’ve put together some of the things nearby that you can see or do while you are here. These include, places to stay, tours and attractions, some upcoming events and places where you can grab a meal. Go ahead, try one of the buttons above. Every destination has something worth seeing so start exploring… If you know Southport and think we’ve missed something, let us know and we’ll share it here.