Want to live a stone’s throw from the beach but still get a relaxed, community vibe? Mermaid Beach could be just the Gold Coast Neighbourhood for you!
The home of Hedges Avenue, Queensland’s most expensive street, this beachside Gold Coast suburb is ideal for families, professionals, and retirees looking for a quieter alternative to some of the Gold Coast’s busier tourist areas. With its laid-back atmosphere, vibrant community, and stunning properties, Mermaid Beach remains one of the most desirable addresses on the coast.
Location
Mermaid Beach is a premium coastal suburb on the Gold Coast, positioned just south of the bustling Broadbeach precinct. It’s bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean, giving residents direct access to some of the most beautiful beaches on the coast. To the north, Mermaid Beach meets Broadbeach with its vibrant dining, entertainment, and shopping options, including the popular Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.
To the west, it’s bordered by Mermaid Waters, a quieter residential suburb known for its canals and family-friendly atmosphere. Heading south, Mermaid Beach transitions into Miami, another relaxed beachside suburb known for its casual vibe and outdoor lifestyle. Mermaid is also known for the pocket of Nobby Beach, which includes some of the Gold Coast’s best dining and café options.
Mermaid Beach: Demographics and Dwellings Snapshot
According to the 2021 ABS Census:
- The population of Mermaid Beach was 7,326
- The median Age – 35 years old.
- Total Homes – 1,147
- Total Units/Apartments – 3,473
- Owner occupied rate – 55%
The majority of the residential properties within Mermaid Beach are zoned as medium density with height limits of up to 9 metres. On the eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, majority of the lots are approximately 405sqm in size with some larger lots along the beachfront. There are still a few charming coastal beach shacks around but many are now being redeveloped into luxury homes, apartments and duplexes, making Mermaid Beach a highly coveted destination for those seeking a private, coastal lifestyle.
What Mermaid Beach is Known For
Mermaid Beach is famous for its beautiful stretch of beach that offers residents the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation. Even in the peak of summer, the patrolled beaches remain relatively uncrowded compared to nearby hotspots, with more locals than tourists soaking up the sun.
Living in Mermaid Beach is ideal for people seeking early morning swims and beach walks, surf sessions, and beachside picnics.
Landmarks & Highlights
The iconic Hedges Avenue, known as ‘Millionaire’s Row’ is one of the most prestigious addresses on the Gold Coast, showcasing stunning beachfront properties. The Mermaid Beach Surf Club is a community favourite offering an excellent nippers program over the summer months as well as great meals, ocean views, and a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
The famous Mermaid Beach Putt Putt Golf on the Gold Coast Highway is a Gold Coast institution and Mermaid Beach landmark. It’s impossible to miss the giant yellow golf ball—a true reference point for locals and visitors alike!
Getting Around
Mermaid Beach is wonderfully flat, making it perfect for cycling. You can ride the dedicated bike path all the way from Nobby’s to Main Beach, taking in the coastal views. Public transport is easily accessible, with the Light Rail station at Broadbeach offering connections to Helensvale and beyond. The light rail extension to Burleigh Heads, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, will further enhance connectivity. Frequent buses also run up and down the highway, and Pacific Fair serves as a major bus hub for destinations further inland.
Eating Out
Mermaid Beach and the Nobby’s precinct is home to some of the best dining on the Gold Coast.
If you’re a Japanese food lover, this is your paradise:
- Etsu Izakaya: One of Mermaid’s hidden gems, look out for the red lantern and a very unassuming door. Behind it is some of the Coast’s best Japanese. Book well in advance.
- Itoshin: An authentic Japanese restaurant that is a Mermaid institution.
- Muso Ramen: Serving up steaming bowls of delicious ramen, this cozy spot is a favourite for comfort food. Make sure you book ahead.
For more formal dining, North Room is our personal favourite special occasion restaurant on the Gold Coast. North Room serves a degustation menu and the service is impeccable.
For a more casual vibe, Mermaid Beach Tavern is a local favourite—especially on Monday nights for their 2-for-1 deals! We also love heading to Poke Poke or Mermaid Beach Seafoods at Mermaid Beach Village to grab some takeaway to eat at sunset on the beach on a summers night.
In the Nobby’s dining precinct you are spoiled for choice, but some of our favourites include Mexicali Bar Y Taqueria and Ally Chow. Newcomer Lars Bar and Grill opened their doors in late August 2024 serving up ‘laid back Gold Coast style’ food.
Best Cafes
Mermaid Beach has plenty of cafes that serve up delicious coffee and breakfasts. Some of the top spots include:
- Bam Bam Bakehouse: A Gold Coast institution that attracts both locals and tourists alike. Get there early for an almond croissant (like the one in the pic!) straight from the oven.
- Rafiki: Known for healthy breakfasts, great coffee, and refreshing protein shakes. A popular local meeting place or a pit stop after a beach walk.
- Café Served: This café not only serves up great coffee but also supports their selected local charities via Serving Our People with every drink/meal purchased.
- Door 50: Great coffee in an unassuming shop front tucked away on Peerless Avenue away from the tourist traffic.
- All Time Social: This is our local coffee shop on the Gold Coast Highway. Dog friendly!
- The Oxley 1823: this new addition to the Nobby’s café scene is a beautiful light-filled space, with an adjoining deli which sells some pretty good fresh seafood to take home.
- BSKT: A Nobby beach institution, BSKT is always bustling for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
Shops and Supermarkets
Mermaid Beach offers access to everything you need, from big shopping centres to local conveniences.
For your grocery needs, there’s Woolworths Metro right at Mermaid Plaza, perfect for quick stops. Nearby, you also have NightOwl for late-night essentials.
For larger shops, head to Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, which has Coles, Woolworths, and an array of retail and luxury stores. Alternatively, Q Super Centre in Mermaid Waters also has Coles, Woolworths, and a variety of specialty shops for all your shopping needs.
There’s also an the Exotic Asian supermarket nearby for specialty ingredients and foods from the region.
Other Services
Mermaid Beach is well-served by various local businesses:
- Barbers and Hairdressers: Mermaid has plenty of options, with around 15 hairdressers and barber shops, mostly along the Gold Coast Highway.
- Dentists and Medical Centres: The area has several medical centres and dentists, ensuring your healthcare needs are well-covered.
- Gyms/Fitness Centres: For those staying active, F45, Goodlife Health Club, and various yoga and pilates studios are scattered throughout the area. You’ll also find Launch PAC handy if have young aspiring dancers in the family.
- Local Coffee Roaster: If you love coffee you’ll love the smell of Koko Coffee Roasters roasting beans on Karen Avenue. You can stock up on fresh beans for home or stop by for a freshly brewed coffee Monday to Friday mornings.
- Wine lovers will rejoice to discover Somm Wine Store at Nobby Beach.
- And Salad (and sweets) lovers will rejoice to discover Dalas Kitchen just a few doors up, serving up delicious fresh salads and desserts to eat in or take away.
- Artist Hub: The Karen Avenue Precinct also serves as a creative community hub for Mermaid with the Karen 19 Gallery and Art-Work Agency regularly hosting intimate art exhibitions.
Schools
Families will appreciate Mermaid Beach’s proximity to a number of local school options.
As of August 2024, Mermaid Beach is in the catchment area for the following state schools:
- Prep to Year 6:
- North of Heron Avenue: Broadbeach State School. Approximately 2 km north of Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach State School serves the primary education needs of families in the northern part of Mermaid Beach.
- South of Heron Avenue: Miami State School. Located around 3 km south, Miami State School is a well-established primary school known for its engaging and supportive learning environment.
- Year 7 to Year 12:
- North of Cronulla Ave, the catchment school is Merrimac State High School. Located approximately 4 km west of Mermaid Beach, Merrimac State High offers a range of academic and vocational programs.
- South of Cronulla Ave, the catchment school is Miami State High School. About 3 km south of Mermaid Beach, Miami State High is a well-regarded school with a focus on academic and extracurricular excellence
Other schools in the area include:
- Vincent’s Primary School: Roughly 5 km west of Mermaid Beach, St. Vincent’s Primary School offers a private Catholic education with a focus on spiritual and academic growth.
- Mermaid Beach’s central location also provides easy access to buses that service many of the Gold Coast’s best secondary private schools.
Parks and Green Spaces
Green spaces like Mermaid Park and Ken Mansbridge Park offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with playgrounds, BBQ areas, and peaceful spots for relaxation. For dog lovers, the large off-leash park in nearby Broadbeach is just a short walk away.
Mermaid Beach residents also enjoy close proximity to Pizzey Park in Miami for gymnastics, swimming, tennis, skateboarding, rugby league and many other sports. The park also offers great walking tracks and fields.
Why Move to Mermaid Beach?
Mermaid Beach offers an unbeatable combination of laid-back beach living and ultimate convenience. Close to Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise yet far from the tourist hustle, we think it’s a true slice of coastal paradise.
Our Locals Hot Tip
As Gold Coast locals we love to offer our own locals tip!
We think there’s nothing better than heading to the beach and grabbing your morning coffee from a nearby café and sitting on one of the many decks – a timber platform that is located where the sand meets the street- that are located all up and down the coast. There’s several in Mermaid Beach including one just opposite the surf club. We love drinking our coffee and watching the sun come up over the ocean. And we are just as happy to repeat this on a Friday afternoon with a beer or wine in hand instead!
Interested in purchasing property in Mermaid Beach? Book a call with Matt today to find out the latest insights into the Mermaid Beach market, what’s selling, and where is best to buy to get exactly what you want for your budget. You can find out more about how we can help you buy property in Mermaid Beach here.