Broadwater

• Summary
• Weather for Broadwater

One of the Gold Coast's most stunning natural attractions, the Broadwater, as the name implies, is a wide stretch of sand-bottomed water located just north of Surfers Paradise.

This magnificent, still waterway was formed naturally thousands of years ago as the Nerang River cascaded down from the Hinterland and widened before entering the ocean. It was a prime destination for the Aboriginal people, who would flock to the area to fish, hunt and coroboree (sing, dance and feast).

Today, the Broadwater is one of the city's most identifiable landmarks and a recreational playground for visitors and locals. The Broadwater is a protected haven for boating - with direct and safe access to the Pacific Ocean via the Gold Coast seaway - and a fishing paradise.

A wide range of watersports and pleasure boat operators are based on the Broadwater. Visitors can parasail, windsurf, go for an adrenalin-filled spin in a high-speed powerboat boat or, for a more leisurely pace, hire a house

boat or barbecue pontoon and wile away the day. Joy flight operators (both fixed-wing and helicopter) can give visitors a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Broadwater.

Some of the Gold Coast's leading man-made attractions are located on the banks of the Broadwater, including Sea World, the new Palazzo Versace Hotel and the fabulous Grand Hotel with its plethora of great dining outlets.

Also lining the Broadwater are superb accommodation choices, ranging from three-star to five-star apartments, hotels, motels and an excellent tourist park.

Visitors needing a little retail therapy can head to Marina Mirage and Mariner's Cove, Australia Fair and Runaway Bay shopping centres or Harbour Town with its discount factory outlets.