Arcades and Apartments of Central Surfers Paradise

Meeting place: Surfers Paradise Beachfront opposite Hanlan Street
What to Bring: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water
What to Wear: Comfortable walking shoes
Access: The tour uses public footpaths

Guide: Dr Rosemary Kennedy LFAIA 

Explore the evolution of Surfers Paradise through its built form — from mid-century ambition to contemporary high-rise living. Guided by architect and urban scholar Dr Rosemary Kennedy, this walking tour weaves through green avenues and gritty arcades to reveal how Surfers Paradise has been shaped by waves of architectural, cultural, and economic change.

Along the way, you’ll take in key sites including the heritage-listed Kinkabool — the Gold Coast’s first high-rise apartment building — as well as some of the city’s most iconic towers and lesser-known laneways that contribute to the area’s complex urban character.

The tour offers insights into the planning and design decisions behind Surfers Paradise’s unique skyline, the challenges of density and public space, and the ongoing tension between spectacle, lifestyle, and livability.

Note: Buildings included in the tour are viewed from public spaces unless otherwise indicated.