Best Things To Do In Southport For The Full Tourist Experience

things to do in southport australia
Raphael
Raphael 
Updated
| 5 min read

If you are planning a visit to Southport, this article will help you find the best things to do. The city has plenty of activities for all age groups. For the full package, read on to see what things you can get up to, and plan your holiday accordingly.

1. Visit Sea World

Sea world australia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tristanb used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Sea World is known around the world to house the biggest collection of sea animals and marine life. Southport Seaworld is a good opportunity for the whole family to go and have a good day out, exploring and learning about the many different sea animals.

You will not only learn about the sea animals but you can also sample the different roller coasters available, on site. This is an all-around family experience.

Sea World

Website: Sea World

Visited this place?

2. Explore Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs

An amazing photo this weekend from Hastings Caves by Paul Panther. Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs are a 90-minute...

Posted by Tasmania on Saturday, 14 November 2015

You will find the Hastings Caves about eight kilometers (five miles) from the Southport turn. These dolomite caves were discovered by timber workers in 1917. While exploring, you will come across stalactites, flowstones, shawls, straws, columns, stalagmites and helictites. For claustrophobic people, you don’t need to worry, as the caves are quite spacious and have very good lighting and zero narrow passages. All the tours are guided.

You will need to confirm the opening and tour times so you are not disappointed. You can also tour the thermal pool which is safe for swimming. Many people like the fact that there are barbeque stands, changing rooms, showers and toilets, available near the pool.

Hastings Caves

Website: Hastings Caves

Visited this place?

3. Visit Boomerang Art – Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery


This gallery was started in 1996 by Werner and Elena Obermeier with the main purpose to showcase artwork done by indigenous artists while collaborating with them, too. The gallery helps artists by providing them with materials to work with. When purchasing artwork from this gallery, it is comforting to know that it is a member of the Australian Indigenous Art Trade Association, which means funds go towards supporting the indigenous people in the area.

Boomerang Art – Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery

Website: Boomerang Art – Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery

Visited this place?

4. Southport Heritage Walk

Congratulations to Kaelan for organising a Grey Wolf Hike on the Southport Heritage Walk. The Walk takes in places of...

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Saturday, 8 March 2014

Set between Owen Park and Broadwater, the Southport Heritage Walk is a self-guided tour, indicated by markers and signs that help you discover local historical landmarks.

When taking the walk, you will come across sites that are valued as heritage locations. These locations weave intriguing, yet educational stories that hearken to Southport’s past.

Southport Heritage Walk

Website: Southport Heritage Walk

Visited this place?

5. De Vito Waterfront

With the view like this, it is no wonder we seem to attract true romantics... There is no better way to win someone's...

Posted by De Vito Waterfront on Thursday, 20 October 2016

This restaurant is the genius of David De Vito, known as a tenor and for his presence on TV. This restaurant is situated on Broadwater and it faces Surfers Paradise.

Stylishly decorated, full of style, class and hospitality and favorably described as down-to-earth, De Vito Waterfront is going to feel like you are at home, with its warmth and charm. The food is Mediterranean and prepared with love and care for your enjoyment.

For an evening full of entertainment and delectable foods, you should book a table at De Vito Waterfront.

De Vito Waterfront

Website: De Vito Waterfront

Visited this place?

6. Shogun Japanese Restaurant


This Japanese restaurant has been serving the best Teppanyaki and other assorted specialties for a little over 35 years. The restaurant gives all your senses something to appreciate, from when you enter till you leave. At the entrance of the restaurant, you will come across a tiny Japanese garden that gives your senses the feeling of Japan, with the bamboo hedges, a bubbling stream with a bridge and music that is so soft, complementing the lighting and feeding your eyes and ears.

The entrance takes you straight to the bar for a drink as you wait to be ushered to your Teppanyaki table or, if you prefer, a more formal seating arrangement.

Their food is glorious and a feast for the senses.

Shogun Japanese Restaurant

Facebook: Shogun Japanese Restaurant

Visited this place?

7. Tonic on Chirn


This is the place to go for great cocktails and food that can be shared among friends, with an ambiance replete with fun and great conversation. Tonic on Chirn has good service given by professional and friendly waiters. Go and get your drink and food on with a bunch of your friends and make it a night to remember.

Tonic on Chirn

Website: Tonic on Chirn

Visited this place?

8. Don Miguel’s


Besides being a tapas restaurant, Don Miguel offers great Friday nights with live music, making the place vibrant and egged on with the jugs of Sangria and good ambiance. Start your weekend in a great way.

Don Miguel’s

Facebook: Don Miguel’s

Visited this place?

9. Cabana Bar and Lounge


What more can you ask for other than eating delicious food - in this case tapas - and enjoying cocktails while savoring the great surroundings in an open-air cabana. This bar and lounge is the perfect place for after work drinks and better yet, for a weekend fun night out. Enjoy the live music with their great local and guest musician features.

Cabana Bar and Lounge

Facebook: Cabana Bar and Lounge

Visited this place?

10. Gold Coast Divers


Plan ahead and join the good people at Gold Coast Divers for a day filled with fun water activities. They are known for their array of services which include learning how to dive, both on an amateur and pro level, arranging group dives and, finally, for those who know their way around diving, they can have your equipment serviced.

Gold Coast Divers

Website: Gold Coast Divers

Visited this place?

11. Celebrate By Sail

Posted by Celebrate By Sail Gold Coast on Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Celebrate By Sail have a list of activities, including boat charters, sailing trips and romantic cruises, watching the sunset. They also teach people how to sail.

Celebrate By Sail

Website: Celebrate By Sail

Visited this place?

12. Paradise Road Cycles


If you feel like you want to do some biking during your trip in Southport, then you can have Paradise Road Cycles deliver a bicycle, custom adjusted for you, for either trail riding, triathlon or road biking.

Paradise Road Cycles

Website: Paradise Road Cycles

Visited this place?

13. Balunjali Kayak Tours


This tour company will give you the opportunity to be one with the sea and land. See the beauty of the Gold Coast through an Aboriginal lens as a guide takes you on a kayak tour through the past, present and future of the Aborigines as the caretakers of this beautiful land and sea.

Visited this place?

14. Australia Fair Shopping Center


This is a huge shopping center, comprised of five levels of shops and offices, found in Southport.

Australia Fair Shopping Center

Website: Australia Fair Shopping Center

Visited this place?

15. Chinatown Gold Coast


Found on Davenport and Young Streets, this business district has been revitalized as the central business area of Southport. It features street markets whereby people can indulge in great Asian street foods, entertainment and hospitality. If you are looking to experience diverse cultural food, designs, people and culture, then Gold Coast Chinatown is the place to be.

Oh yes, shopping here is out of this world too.

Visited this place?

Gold Coast for the win

Vacationing in Southport is an all-round experience. There is no way anyone can say they lack things to do, when they go to Southport. If it is a family vacation, kids and adults will have plenty to do with theme parks like SeaWorld. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, then the beach is a haven of activities - from good old swimming to surfing or just soaking in the sun.

As the above article has pointed out, there are a lot of activities and experiences to be had when you visit Southport. You can go to the beach or one of the very hip and happening bars and restaurants or indulge in some great shopping. If that isn’t enough, the rainforest leads you to a little piece of heaven on earth, with a waterfall or two.

Indeed, the Gold Coast is one for the win.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Raphael is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for exploring the world. With over a decade of experience in travel writing, he has honed his storytelling skills, making readers feel like...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Southport
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.