Surfers Paradise, Beach district in Gold Coast, Australia.
Surfers Paradise is a business district and beach area in Gold Coast, Queensland, that extends several kilometers along the coast. The high-rise buildings form a continuous front parallel to the beach, which is patrolled by lifeguards throughout the year.
James Beattie established a farm here in the late 19th century and built a hostel for travelers moving between Brisbane and New South Wales. The name emerged in the 1930s when a hotel owner renamed the location to attract more tourists.
The Meter Maids walk the streets in gold bikinis filling parking meters to prevent fines, a practice that started in 1965. This group emerged as a response to the introduction of parking fees and became a lasting symbol of the area.
The beach has marked swimming areas between red and yellow flags that are monitored by teams. The G:link light rail connects the district to other parts of the city and stops at several points along the main road.
The SkyPoint Observation Deck in Q1 Tower offers an outdoor area at 270 meters (886 feet) where visitors can walk along the edge of the building. This platform is one of the highest viewing points on the Australian east coast.
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