We test out the Gold Coast’s hottest new stay: Kirra Point

On the razed site of a beloved local watering hole that had been pouring beers since 1956, Kirra Point has risen from demolition ashes to become the coolest new place to dine, drink and stay on the southern Gold Coast.

Last drinks were called in 2021 at Kirra Beach Hotel, a classic surf-side pub and local landmark that served ice-cold beers, cheap schnittys and beach views. The six-decade-old building was demolished to make way for a glittering $380-million investment – a brand new beachside hotel, bar and luxury accommodation offering. We checked in to the new Kirra Point, which has GC locals chattering.

Location

a balcony overlooking Kirra Beach — Soak up unbeatable views of Kirra Beach. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Kirra Point is smack-bang in the middle of Kirra, a beachside suburb two kilometres south-east of the Gold Coast Airport. There’s nothing better than collecting your luggage and checking into your hotel less than 10 minutes later.

Kirra Point has a prime position across the road from Kirra Beach. Dubbed the spiritual home of surfing on the Gold Coast, the famed Kirra Surfriders Club has fostered surfing greats such as Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson. Kirra hits the trifecta with a laidback vibe, coastal good looks and an ultra-cool drinking and dining scene, and Kirra Point stands at its heart.

The town of Coolangatta is a short, scenic beachside walk around the Kirra Point headland (the namesake for the new hotel). Coolie, as it is known to the locals, has a heap more restaurants and bars, as well as a shopping centre with a Woolworths supermarket.

Style and character

neutral tones, timber and stone interior at Kirra Point — The soothing colour palette invites guests to unwind at first glance. (Image: Elise Hassey)

The new build was designed by acclaimed architectural firm Woods-Bagot and the property’s exterior curves and textural features reflect the layered nature of its beachside environment.

KTQ Group, the development group behind the Elements of Byron project some 60 klicks down the road, sprinkled their magic over the interiors. A soothing colour palette immediately brings calm as you enter Kirra Point – neutral tones, timber and stone features, and premium furnishings in blues, greens and grey. There’s a relaxed coastal feel but it’s ultra-sophisticated at the same time.

Facilities

sun loungers by the pool — The stunning 25-metre pool boasts panoramic views of Kirra Beach. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Without a doubt, the hero of the hotel is the recreation deck on level three. It features a heated 25-metre pool with panoramic views of the ocean, lined by sun loungers and lush gardens.

There are poolside barbecues and round booths available for complimentary hire – making this the perfect place to while away hours in the Queensland sun with friends. There’s also a small but well-equipped gym in this recreation area.

Underground parking is available, and there is electric vehicle charging available for a fee. You won’t need your car while in Kirra, though. It’s so easy to get around on foot, or you can hire bikes from reception (open from 7 am to 7 pm). Conveniently, the hotel also offers a beach cart service – a beach trolley packed with an umbrella and towels.

Stage Two of the Kirra Point precinct will feature a second tower with a laneway precinct curated with boutique retailers such as a fresh food market, deli, bakery and gelateria. It’s slated for completion in 2026.

top view of a woman swimming in the pool at Kirra Point — Start your day with a refreshing morning dip. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Rooms

the living interior of the oceanfront apartment at Kirra Point — The generously sized apartments sleep two to eight guests. (Image: Elise Hassey)

The property offers one- to three-bedroom apartments, which sleep two to eight guests. Choose from a north-facing oceanfront apartment for epic views complete with salt spray, an east-facing apartment with beach and Kirra Point views, a west-facing apartment with beach and Surfers Paradise skyline views, or a south-facing apartment that looks over town.

All apartments have a private balcony with soundproof sliding doors for ultimate peace and quiet at night (which is handy given the revelry downstairs). Each apartment also has a fully equipped kitchen with premium appliances, a Nespresso machine, a Zip tap with instant hot water and a dining table. There is a separate laundry, which is ideal for longer stays, and the sleek bathrooms are equipped with Mr Smith amenities.

Food and drink

the dining table on the private balcony with ocean views, Kirra Point — Make use of the private balcony with uninterrupted views of the ocean during your stay. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Promising honest food, cold beers, bright wines and good yarns, Kirra Beach Hotel is the same-old Aussie pub it once was, just with a fresh, new look. Eat in the outside beer garden or nab a table inside the bistro. The menu features light bites such as tacos and bao buns, and classic pub grub such as a parmi, cheeseburger and steak cooked your way. Surfing memorabilia, such as vintage photography, surfboards and old lifesaving caps, grace the walls, keeping the hotel’s roots firmly planted in the sand.

The first floor of the property is home to Kirra Beach House. This striking venue has uninterrupted views of the ocean and is an amalgamation of outdoor and indoor dining spaces, from the sunny western terrace with its bifold windows and tall tables, beachfront cabanas with lounges, a sexy restaurant with booth seating, and the private Preston’s Bar.

Conveniently, there’s a liquor shop on the ground floor – pick up a bottle of bubbles or some locally brewed craft beer, such as Balter, to enjoy on your private balcony. On the corner, you’ll find Made, a barber and espresso bar where you can get a haircut, with a coffee, toastie or pastry to go.

Experiences

the outdoor pool at Kirra Point with sunloungers on the side — Relax on a sun lounger by the pool. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Kirra is the ultimate beach escape. Days can easily be spent entirely in swimwear. Its beach boasts a wide and pristine stretch of sand, and the famous Kirra Point break lures in surfers from around the traps daily.

If you want to learn surfing at one of our country’s best surf spots, check out Kirra Point Surf School . Or hire a bike from the hotel and cycle the eight-kilometre-long beachside pathway, which runs to Currumbin.

There is a heap of excellent places to eat and drink in Kirra. Try Siblings , which is located close enough to the beach that you may feel the salt spray. The menu is mod-Australian with small plates and mains, and a focus on seafood. Billy Chow is an intimate diner serving pan-Asian cuisine. And Love Street Store is a chilled-out spot to grab some delicious brunch and coffees – think acai bowls and toasties.

Native State is a state-of-the-art bathhouse where you can book a casual session of hydrothermal therapies – there’s a heated vitality pool, cold plunge pool, steam room, traditional cedar sauna, infrared sauna and a studio with strength and conditioning classes, pilates and meditation.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Rooms are accessed via a lift; however, none of the apartments have dedicated accessibility features. Service dogs are permitted for vision impaired. The Kirra Beach Hotel on the ground floor and Kirra Beach House (accessed via a lift) are both wheelchair friendly.

Family-friendly?

a private balcony facing the beach at Kirra Point — The hotel is a great base for families to explore all that the Gold Coast has to offer. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Kirra Point is a great family-friendly accommodation option on the Gold Coast, just walking distance to a wide and safe swimming beach and many restaurants. The spacious apartments have kitchens, so you don’t have to eat out at every meal, which means that you can put little ones to bed earlier while you enjoy a relaxing time together on the balcony, and older kids can have their own space. The laundry is also super-convenient for families so you don’t have to pack as much in your luggage.

Details

Address: 4 Miles Street, Kirra, Qld

Cost: Rates start from $325 per night.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.