11 Best BBQ Spots on the Gold Coast

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Is there a better wafting smell than onions, bacon or your favourite meat sizzling away on a barbecue?

And is there anything more Australian than throwing a few sausages on the barbie amongst family and friends down by the beach or in a lovely park setting?

Having a BBQ picnic is one of our favourite things to do as a family on our travels, or as a local, for a budget friendly eating experience. And when you have young kids like us, a far more relaxing experience then a cramped cafe or restaurant and worrying about spilled drinks and keeping the kids still.

The city of Gold Coast boasts more than 380 barbecues spread out along the beaches, parks and reserves and the council does a great job of maintaining and cleaning these free gas BBQs for us all to enjoy.

Next time you’re on the Gold Coast, make the most of these facilities and open spaces and enjoy the stunning scenery on offer.

In no particular order, here are 11 of the best BBQ spots to check out.

1. Burleigh Point

My personal favourite spot for a BBQ on the Goldy. I’m biased I know, as it’s my new local but as far as ocean views and a chilled out vibe goes it’s hard to beat Burleigh Point! We were just there last Sunday having a barbie on the grass in the sunshine with our kids and countless other locals enjoying the scene.

There’s gas BBQ facilities (we brought our own weber this time) and picnic tables scattered along the headland, but why not bring a blanket and grab a spot on the grass! We love watching the surfers carve up the waves, there’s a kids playground to keep them happy, and this is one of the best sunset locations on the Goldy!

And you’re close to town if you’ve forgotten any supplies.

2. Rainbow Bay

I love Rainbow Bay. In fact, doing the coastal walk from Coolangatta around to Snapper Rocks next to Rainbow Bay Surf club is one of our favourite family activities.

Rainbow Bay is Queensland’s southernmost beach with Greenmount Hill as a backdrop, and is a popular spot with families to BBQ and picnic at the beach. And if you hang around long enough in the afternoon, you’ll get brilliant views of the setting sun all the way over behind the skyline of surfers paradise.

3. Tallebudgera Creek

Scenic Tallebudgera Creek is a relaxing spot to gather with your friends or family for a BBQ breakfast or lunch. The creek is a nice spot for the kids to have a swim and is framed by Burleigh Heads National Park on one side and Palm Beach on the other.
There’s BBQ and picnic tables, a small kids playground and the sandy beach area to relax on, or you can bring your kayak and stand up paddle-board and have a paddle on the calm water.

4. Laguna Park, Palm Beach / Currumbin

Have just discovered the existence of Laguna Park in the Palm Beach / Currumbin area, and by all reports we need to add it to this BBQ list, and to our previously published playgrounds post. Cool, another option in our local area.

The park overlooks a lake and features several barbecue and undercover picnic areas, a new amenity’s block, and apparently has one of the best kids playgrounds on the Gold Coast.

Seems like a prime spot to throw a few snags on the barbie and let the kids run free.

5. Justin Park & Burleigh Esplanade

I mentioned Justin Park in our 5 best playgrounds on the Gold Coast post and it makes for the perfect BBQ spot too. You have million dollar views of beautiful Burleigh Beach and picnic tables on the grass area under the trees.

You’re in the heart of everything here and each Sunday there’s usually live drumming or other entertainment going on, or later in the day you could slip into the nearby surf club for a sneaky sunset beer.

Whilst we’re talking Burleigh, all along The Esplanade up to North Burleigh there’s BBQ and picnic table facilities and every day you’ll see locals or holiday makers making the most of it. Go Burleigh.

9. Palm Beach Parklands (Pirate Park)

Palm Beach Parklands, also known as the Pirate Park due to the themed playground is one of the most popular family areas on the Gold Coast.

Make a date here to barbecue with friends and enjoy the view overlooking lovely Currumbin Cove whilst your kids entertain themselves at the playground or have a game of cricket or touch footy on the grass.

There’s onsite BBQ and toilet facilities and Doon Cafe is right there if you’re up for a freshly brewed takeaway coffee.

10. Paradise Point

We haven’t barbecued here yet ourselves, but Paradise Point Parklands comes highly recommended from other locals and from what we’ve read online.

At the northern end of the Gold Coast, the consensus seems to be it has everything for a top family BBQ spot; new public BBQ’s, picnic areas, large playground, open grass area, shady trees, a lagoon for swimming, views over to Sovereign Island and opposite the shops and cafes if you need something extra.

Apparently you need to get in early on a weekend for a table as it’s that popular.

11. Broadwater Parklands, Southport

A short drive north of Surfers Paradise brings you to Southport and another park I mentioned in our 5 best playgrounds on the Gold Coast post. It also doubles up as a great BBQ spot.

Here you have a three-kilometre stretch of open parklands along the Broadwater foreshore perfect for family gatherings. Relax around the BBQ and picnic tables with lovely water views whilst your kids will be entertained for hours at the playground, swimming in the patrolled beach area or splashing about at Rockpools. 

You’ve got the Rockpool Cafe on-site and Australia Fair Shopping Centre across the road for any needed supplies.

What is your favourite BBQ spot on the Gold Coast? Share in the comments below.