🔍

Main Beach

QLD 4217 • Rest of QLD

3,998
Population (2021)
$87,464
Median Household Income
3.55 km²
Area
$500/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenAffluentTourist Hub

About Main Beach

Main Beach is a sought-after coastal suburb on Queensland's Gold Coast, situated approximately 2.7 kilometres north of Surfers Paradise and around 76 kilometres south-east of Brisbane CBD, within the City of Gold Coast local government area. With a population of 3,998 and a notably high median age of 57, the suburb skews heavily towards retirees and mature owner-occupiers who value its beachside lifestyle. Median weekly rent of $500 reflects the premium coastal property market, while the relatively compact household size of 1.9 persons underscores the suburb's retiree and empty-nester character.

Main Beach fronts the Coral Sea to the east and the Broadwater to the west, offering residents an exceptional dual-water lifestyle with surf beach access, calm-water paddling, and the popular Broadwater Parklands. Marina Mirage provides upscale dining, boutique retail, and the landmark Palazzo Versace hotel, giving the suburb a distinct resort-town atmosphere. The G:link light rail network connects the area to Surfers Paradise and Helensvale, while the low-density mix of beachside apartments and houses makes Main Beach one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive and peaceful residential addresses.

Main Beach falls under postcode 4217 and is governed by Gold Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Surfers Paradise electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4217
Urban Area
Gold Coast
LGA / Council
Gold Coast
Federal Electorate
Moncrieff
State Electorate
Surfers Paradise
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-27.96°, 153.42°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
3.55 km²
Elevation
2m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$500
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,091
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
57 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Broadwater Parklands (G:link)
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • Translink Gold Coast bus services — Southport and Surfers Paradise 10-15 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
76 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Helensvale then Queensland Rail to Brisbane (~90 min total)
By Car (Peak)
70-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ Gold Coast CBD (Southport) ~3 km, 10 min by car; most residents work locally or are retired

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Beachfront and foreshore areas are very walkable; for broader errands a car or bus is generally needed

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Gold Coast Local Government Area, which contains Main Beach. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
550.5 / 100k
2yr Down 27.0% 10yr Down 27.2%
Motor vehicle theft
337.3 / 100k
2yr Down 18.9% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
838.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 59.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
19.8 / 100k
2yr Down 16.5% 10yr Down 19.2%
Steal from vehicle
578 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Down 31.5%
View all offence categories for Gold Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,883
Census 2021
3,998
▲ 3.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$45,188
Personal Income 2021
$48,776
▲ 7.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$48,776 / yr
$938/wk
Household
$87,464 / yr
$1682/wk
Family
$117,988 / yr
$2269/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,489
Born Overseas 1,038

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 238
  • 2. England 193
  • 3. South Africa 64
  • 4. Brazil 35
  • 5. Italy 32
  • 6. Japan 31
  • 7. United States 30
  • 8. Philippines 28
  • 9. Germany 27
  • 10. Scotland 22

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,663
Australian 946
Irish 594
Scottish 475
German 204
Italian 146
Dutch 81
Chinese 66
Greek 51
French 48

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,937
Both parents born in Australia
1,173
Both parents born overseas
412
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.8%
No Religion
33.5%
Buddhism
1.0%
Judaism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
74 (1.9%)
5-14 years
162 (4.1%)
15-19 years
118 (3.0%)
20-24 years
214 (5.4%)
25-34 years
428 (10.7%)
35-44 years
346 (8.7%)
45-54 years
512 (12.8%)
55-64 years
762 (19.1%)
65-74 years
797 (19.9%)
75-84 years
502 (12.6%)
85+ years
94 (2.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Main Beach known for? +

Main Beach is known for its prestige beachfront apartments, Marina Mirage shopping centre, and proximity to Sea World and The Spit. The suburb is one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential addresses, offering a relaxed beachside lifestyle with upmarket dining and retail.

How far is Main Beach from Brisbane? +

Main Beach is approximately 76 kilometres south of Brisbane CBD, about a 70–90 minute drive via the M1 motorway. The Gold Coast CBD (Southport) is approximately 3 km south.

Does Main Beach have public transport? +

Main Beach is served by local bus routes connecting to Surfers Paradise and Southport. The nearest Gold Coast Light Rail (G:link) stop is at Southport or Sea World (approximately 2–3 km), providing tram access to Broadbeach and Helensvale for Queensland Rail connections to Brisbane.

What is the population of Main Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Main Beach has a population of approximately 3,998 residents, though the suburb's high proportion of holiday apartments means the daytime and seasonal population is considerably higher.

Is Main Beach a good place to live? +

Main Beach is ideal for those who want an upmarket beachside lifestyle on the Gold Coast, with excellent dining, boutique shopping at Marina Mirage, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It particularly suits retirees and professionals who value coastal prestige and proximity to Gold Coast amenities.

What is the postcode for Main Beach? +

The postcode for Main Beach, QLD is 4217.

What is the average income in Main Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Main Beach is about $938 per week (around $48,800 per year). The median household income is $1,682 per week and the median family income is $2,269 per week.

What is the age profile of Main Beach? +

The median age in Main Beach is 57. The largest age group is 65–74 (797 residents, around 20%). Around 9% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Main Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Main Beach is part of the Gold Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Main Beach? +

In Main Beach, the median weekly rent is $500, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,091 (2021 Census).