Surfers Paradise is the Gold Coast's entertainment and tourism centre and the suburb's high-rise buildings are the best known feature of the city's skyline.

It was named after Hugh Macintosh, a draftsman in the Queensland Lands Department, who was heavily involved in the surveying of Gold Coast area.

[8] It is connected to the mainland by the Gold Coast Highway, which passes through the eastern part of the island from north (Main Beach) to south (Surfers Paradise).

[9][10] Thomas Drive is the main road on an east–west axis and which connects the island by two bridges to mainland Surfers Paradise to the east and to the suburb or Southport to the west.

[20][21] James Beattie, a farmer, became the first European to settle in the area when he staked out an 80-acre (32 ha) farm on the northern bank of the Nerang River, close to present-day Cavill Avenue.

Meyer also had little luck growing in the sandy soil and within a decade had auctioned the farm to focus on providing access to tourists wanting to visit the surf beach.

Located between the ferry jetty and the white surf beach off the South Coast Road, it became popular and shops and services sprang up around it.

The suburb was officially renamed on 1 December 1933 after the local council felt the Surfers Paradise name was more marketable.

[27][28] In 1934, Surfers Paradise State School was first established on the north-east corner of Laycock Street and the Gold Coast Highway (now Gold Coast Boulevard), three blocks south of Cavill Avenue (28°00′14″S 153°25′44″E / 28.0038°S 153.4289°E / -28.0038; 153.4289 (Surfers Paradise State School (1934 site))).

[30][31] In December 1938, tenders were called to construct a Methodist Church in Hamilton Avenue, just off the Pacific Highway, close to the beach.

[44][45] Little remains of the early vegetation or natural features of the area and even the historical association of the beachfront development with the river is tenuous.

It was a celebration of local music, food, fashion, film and art and is a key driver of the Gold Coast's long-term cultural development.

Across the four weekends of the festival, the Surfers Paradise precinct was transformed into a vibrant showcase of the Gold Coast's emerging arts and cultural scene.The festival comprised an accessible mix of family events, exhibitions, live music, street markets and short film screenings.

[48] Of all places on the Gold Coast the high-rise buildings in this area constitute a dominant and enduring image visible from as far south as Coolangatta and from the mountain resorts of the hinterland.

The masterplanned space hosts a full calendar of free public events such as the Australian Sand Sculpting Championships.

The area of Surfers Paradise east of Surfers Paradise Boulevard sprawling towards the beach tends to focus on family-friendly attractions such as Time Zone, Ripley's Believe it or Not museum and Adrenalin Park; while the nightclubs and adult entertainment tend to be concentrated in the western part of the suburb.

[citation needed] The precinct offers high rise accommodations to tourists such as Circle on Cavill, Hilton, Q1 and Soul.

Meter feeding is against the law but council decided to ignore the offence due to the good publicity it garnered.

[60] The meter maids initially dressed in gold lamé bikinis and a tiara but the outfit would go through several changes during their existence.

[60] Controversial retired Australian rules football player Warwick Capper underwent a short stint as a Surfers Paradise meter maid in 2007.

[48] Surfers Paradise hosts a calendar of free public events, largely targeting residents of the Gold Coast, visitors from southeast Queensland and interstate and international tourists.

Schoolies week is an Australian tradition of high-school graduates (also known as 'schoolies' or 'leavers') having week-long holidays following the end of their final exams in late November and early December.

The tradition began on the Gold Coast in the early to mid 1980s and Surfers Paradise is still the largest single venue for the event.

[64] A dedicated Schoolies event zone, featuring live music and youth-themed activities, is established each year on Surfers Paradise Beach in order to provide a safe, fun environment for school leavers.

Recharge Zones are located close to the Schoolies Hub to provide a safe place to keep hydrated with free water available.

[6] Gold Coast Learning Centre is a continuing education provider with classes in general English, IELTS, TESOL, business, accounting, management, marketing, workplace health and safety, and human resources.

Northcliffe station lies on the southern end of Surfers Paradise Boulevard, near the intersection of the Gold Coast Highway.

As a popular destination for beach-goers, Surfers Paradise is noted for its relatively steady warm climate throughout the year.

Temperatures recorded at the nearest active weather station, Gold Coast Seaway, are milder than Brisbane in summer and warmer in winter.

[75] As an iconic holiday destination, Surfers Paradise has been namechecked in numerous popular Australian songs and other works including: