Gold Coast/Southport

Southport is the central business district (CBD) or business centre of the Gold Coast. Though it is the CBD of the Gold Coast, it is not as bustling as other places in the Gold Coast (such as Surfers Paradise), and if you happen to be driving through it, there's a good chance you may not even realise you're in the CBD.

The Smith Street Motorway (SR 10) is the main connector between the Pacific Motorway (M1) and Southport. Whilst it's a motorway, it's essentially a glorified exit ramp of the Pacific's exit 66.

If you're travelling to Southport from Surfers Paradise and/or Broadbeach, follow the Gold Coast Highway (SR 2). While Southpoint is not a focal point listed on the highway signs south of Surfers Paradise, follow the light rail corridor until you pass Surfers Paradise.

As part of the G:link tram or light rail, there are many light rail stops in Southport. They include:

• -27.97352153.418771 Broadwater Parklands light rail station , located on Queen Street next to the parklands.
• -27.97255153.415552 Southport South light rail station , an important stop which serves the southern portions of the CBD.
• -27.96785153.413533 Southport light rail station , stopping at the CBD.
• -27.97068153.40854 Nerang Street light rail station , stopping at Nerang Street. It's unlikely you will be stopping here, as the main reason this exists is to serve the Southport Health precinct.
• -27.969877153.3944045 Queen Street light rail station , on the corner of Queen and Wardoo Streets, mostly serving the residential areas of Southport.

• -27.9691153.4131 Chinatown, Davenport and Young Streets. Though it may seem strange to think that a holiday city contains a Chinatown, it's one of the newer Chinatowns in Australia, only established in the 1990s. Today, the two streets of Davenport and Young contain many Asian restaurants, and not just Chinese.  (updated Apr 2022)
• -27.9709153.40232 Southport Military Heritage Museum, 201 Queen St., ☏ +61 437 732 575. First Sun of every second month.. While a relatively hidden and unknown secret of the Gold Coast, this museum contains plenty of military equipment, including photos, former uniforms, galleries and memorabilia. Unfortunately, its limited opening hours mean that it is highly likely it will be closed when you happen to be at Southport (or the Gold Coast), but if you do happen to be there when it's open, it is well worth checking it out. Free.  (updated Apr 2022)

• -27.969384153.4193131 GC Aqua Park, Marine Parade, ☏ +61 7 5522 8222. 6AM–6PM. Gold Coast's Aqua park over the waters of the Nerang River and Coral Sea. However, as it is located near the CBD, it is not particularly large, but nevertheless worth checking out if you're staying in GC for a long time.  (updated Apr 2022)
• -27.963665153.4158542 Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.  (updated Apr 2022)

• -27.968598153.4135371 Australia Fair Shopping Centre, 42 Marine Parade, ☏ +61 7 5556 6600. A large shopping mall with over 200 specialty shops and plenty of places to eat in its food court. Arguably, the variety of eateries in this one shopping centre may outrun the number you'll encounter in the streets.  (updated Apr 2022)

• -27.968712153.41351 Maruya Japanese Restaurant, 15 Davenport St, ☏ +61 7 5527 1199. 11:30AM–3PM, 5–9PM (closed Sundays). A small Japanese restaurant in a cosy setting. Unfortunately, Maruya is limited albeit the name (but do note that Maruya is Filipino, not Japanese).  (updated Apr 2022)
• -27.9683153.41462 Sen Lek Thai, 1/77 Scarborough St, ☏ +61 7 5511 0345. Mon–Fri 11AM–3PM, 5–8:30PM; Sat 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–9PM. A modern Australianised Thai restaurant and cafe.  (updated Sep 2022)

-27.9678153.41361 Hotel Cecil, 42 Nerang Street, Southport, QLD 4215 (On the southwestern corner of Scarborough and Nerang Streets, directly across from the Southport light rail station.), ☏ +61 7 5531 0700, cecil.hotel@alhgroup.com.au. An iconic, heritage-listed Art Deco public house originally opened in 1908 and rebuilt in 1938. While it historically accommodated overnight guests, it now operates purely as a local landmark pub, family-friendly bistro, and lively sports bar featuring multiple screens, pool tables, and TAB facilities.  (updated Jul 2026)

• -27.9699153.41321 Woodroffe Hotel, 22 White Street, Southport, QLD 4215, ☏ +61 7 5655 0465, toll-free: +61 1300 315 608, reservations@woodroffehotel.com.au. Check-in: 2:00pm, check-out: 10:00am. A modern 3.5-star boutique hotel located in the heart of the Southport CBD. Rooms feature a clean, contemporary layout equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and mini-refrigerators. Facilities include a business center, free Wi-Fi, and an on-site cafe serving daily breakfast. Note: There is absolutely no on-site parking available at the property, meaning guests traveling with vehicles will need to secure off-site public parking nearby. From A$100.  (updated Jul 2026)