There’s something about arriving at the Gold Coast that immediately changes your pace. Maybe it’s the light. Maybe it’s the smell of the salt in the air the moment you step outside the airport. Or maybe it’s simply the fact that within minutes you’re looking at the ocean.

My visit to Kirra started exactly that way. One short flight from Sydney, a less than 10-minute ride in an Uber heading south, and suddenly, the Pacific stretched out in front of me. The waves were already rolling through the famous Kirra break and a handful of surfers were sitting patiently in the lineup.

Kirra has always been known to surfers. But in recent years, the suburb has grown into something more. Restaurants have opened, thoughtful wellness spaces have appeared and a handful of standout accommodation options have arrived. The vibe is still relaxed and unmistakably coastal, but it feels more considered now.

For three days in February, I had the chance to experience it properly. My base was Kirra Point Holiday Apartments, positioned across the road from the beach. Open the door, cross the street and you’re on the sand.

Not a bad way to start a stay.

Staying at Kirra Point

When I step into my two-bedroom apartment, a blast of cool from the air conditioning hits me – a most welcome delight coming in from the hot summer sun. The floor plan is open with an abundance of natural light flooding the living, dining and kitchen area. A thoughtful bottle of wine and local chocolates greet me along with a handwritten card welcoming me to Kirra Point, setting the tone for a memorable stay.

Despite the hot day, I bolt to the balcony. Just as I’d hoped, I’m in the perfect spot to drink in the view of the ocean across the road. This, I quickly decide, will be my default spot for morning coffee.

Heading back inside, I’m struck at just how generous the space is. Yet somehow the design wraps you up, making the apartment feel more cozy than cavernous. Taking a closer look at the kitchen, I’m impressed by the premium appliances and Nespresso machine. Unlike some apartment holiday stays, Kirra Point provides all the ease of a private stay, with just enough of a hotel touch to make everything feel elevated.

Down the hall, two bedrooms to my right and two bathrooms to my left, I move slowly, noticing the quiet attention to detail in every corner. Mr Smith amenities line the bathrooms – the master with a large shower and two shower heads. I make my way to the bedroom for the obligatory bed test. Tucking in, plush linens and a cloud-like mattress make it hard to imagine getting back up. But alas, it would have to wait. After an early start and air travel, finding food is the priority.

Fortunately, Kirra Point is close to everything. Stepping outside, I stumble on Kirra Beach House, a restaurant perched above the Kirra Point precinct.

After climbing stairs to the second level, I am greeted with expansive ocean views and a sun-drenched balcony perfect for casual coastal dining. The staff are friendly and recommend some favorites from the menu.

I end up with tropical-inspired kingfish, French fries (or ‘chips’ as they’re called here) and a green, leafy salad. I eat, watching the waves roll in. The food is amazing and the views – hypnotizing.

It’s easy to see why people take their time here.

A new penthouse above the break

Later that afternoon, I head upstairs for a launch event that has drawn an intimate group of guests to preview something new for the area. The RISE Kirra Point penthouse officially opened in February 2026, and its sheer scale and understated elegance leave me momentarily breathless.

Accessed by a private lift, the two-story residence opens straight into a huge living space, which looks out over the ocean. Five king suites, seven bathrooms and a collection of additional spaces – including a reading room, media room and office – make it feel more like a private coastal house than a typical holiday stay.

Canapés circulate and drinks flow as guests mingle and take in the space. We split into groups and embark on a tour, in awe of every detail from the artwork to the wine collection, chef’s kitchen and, of course, the view high above the coastline. A sprawling private terrace runs the length of the penthouse, with the second floor outdoor space crowned by a heated plunge pool perfectly perched at the highest point – undoubtedly the best vantage in the entire residence.

Standing there with new friends and a glass of bubbles as the sun dips over the horizon, it’s easy to imagine the kinds of stays the space is designed for – family gatherings, private retreats, maybe even a corporate getaway where the boardroom is replaced by the sea.

The waves below keep rolling in the entire evening.

Surfing at sunrise

The following morning starts earlier than usual. At 6am, Kirra Beach is calm and inviting. The sky just beginning to lighten and the water, smooth and glassy.

Waiting for me is my first surf lesson with Kirra Point Surf School, owned and operated by James Woods who will be my teacher for the day. Despite plenty of time around beaches, I have never actually surfed before. Admittedly, I’ve always felt a bit intimidated by it. But Kirra’s bay is known for being ideal for beginners, with smaller waves and plenty of room to learn.

Fortunately, Woods turns out to be the perfect guide. He is relaxed, patient and fun to chat with. And he begins our lesson with what I suppose is best described as ‘surfing 101’. Once he finishes his spiel, we head out into the water – that pocket of ocean entirely to ourselves. Nervous that we didn’t spend nearly enough time practicing plank to surfer stance on the sand, I reluctantly follow him in.

The water is comfortably warm and so clear, I can practically see the bottom. Hopping on my board once the water becomes deeper, I realize paddling out isn’t nearly as tough as I imagined. Once we reach what Woods deems the perfect spot, we wait for an equally perfect wave. He tells me about starting Kirra Point Surf School after leaving his career in law. Naturally, the ocean doesn’t wait for us to finish chatting before it sends a beautiful wave our way. Woods yells ‘plank’, and I assume position. The water glides beneath me and I jump up, feet almost in the right place. Keyword: almost. I face plant into the depths.

But I am having so much fun, and I easily climb back aboard and paddle to where Woods waits, offering encouragement and explaining where I went wrong. A few more face plants and quick tips later and I finally make it up, gliding across the water and positively beaming. Incredibly, I manage to get up three times during our lesson. By the end, a wave of accomplishment washes over me.

It hits me as I walk onto the sand; now I know why surfers are always running toward the surf. They’re genuinely so excited to get in the water – and away from the endless noise of their phones, emails and notifications.

Good food, good pauses

Kirra’s food scene is another pleasant surprise. There’s a collection of genuinely good places ranging from Mediterranean to Mexican, Asian and more – something for every craving. And, as has come to be expected, many are positioned with an immersive ocean view.

For me, breakfast both mornings is at MADE Barber and Coffee, a small cafe that’s a hit with the locals. Its nitro cold brew alone is worth the visit – smooth, strong and the perfect pick-me-up before a day of exploring.

Lunch at Siblings Kirra is also not to be missed. Situated almost atop the sand, this restaurant offers the perfect mix of laid-back coast and refined dining. While the food and service were impressive, the drinks menu – called ‘Liquid Journey’ – is the real minimum viable product.

With more than 50 cocktails and a vast array of bubbles and wine, the drinks list goes beyond inventive concoctions to feature fun quotes from famous actors and actresses and notable public figures – both past and present. There is: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much of Champagne is just right,” attributed to F Scott Fitzgerald and “I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not,” from Coco Chanel, plus many more.

I smile as I read, thinking what good marketing this is because I now want to drink my way through the menu. With much restraint, I enjoy just one: the trendy ‘I feel pretty’ spritz made with Brookie’s Slow Gin Sour, topped up with juicy watermelon and a berry seltzer. A great choice with my deliciously fresh seasonal green salad, roasted and raw veggies and a creamy cashew-herb puree spread generously across the base of the dish.

Dinner that evening is Pipi’s Restaurant, wrapping up the day in the most memorable way. The restaurant looks straight out over the water with wide ocean views that stretch along the coastline. As the sun sets, the sky shifts from warm gold slipping into rose, then cooling into violet as the light fades. All the while, plates of fresh seafood and good wine arrive at the table, making it easy to linger just a little longer.

Pipi’s, I learn, has become a favorite among locals, including actor Chris Hemsworth and his family. From the service to the food to the visual feast that is the view, I’m not surprised. Pipi’s is indeed a local gem.

My final morning at Kirra starts with a sunrise walk along the coast with another nitro cold brew in hand from MADE Barber and Coffee. Then a quick and seamless checkout, thanking the friendly staff for the incredible stay, and I am off to the airport.

Three days isn’t long, but it’s long enough to understand why Kirra has become one of the Gold Coast’s most talked-about coastal destinations. The surf is still the main event, but around it, a new layer of thoughtful restaurants, beautiful luxury stays and experiences that invite you to slow down have become part of what makes this place so special.

Kirra lingers long after you leave – a rare place where even a short stay feels complete and effortlessly memorable.