- Duration
- ~1 km, about an hour with a swim (≈ 1 h 20 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- Everyone
- Transport
- walk
- Start
- Budds Beach
- Finish
- Macintosh Island
- Pace
- relaxed pace
- Best time
- a day when the ocean has no flags
- Budget per adult
- freePrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
G:link to Southport, then a short walk to Budds Beach. 50 cents.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. Budds Beach~40 min at the stop
A sandy beach on the Nerang River just behind the Surfers Paradise towers. No surf reaches here and the water is calm, so families come when the ocean is rough.
Tip: There are no ocean lifeguards here. After heavy rain, leave the river alone.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 15 min · 1 km
2. Macintosh Island~25 min at the stop
A park island on the canal: lawn, a playground and the river view. Cross to it once the beach swim is done.
Tip: Walk back to the hotel the same way. Return to the ocean only where the flags are.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.