New Year’s Eve on the Gold Coast feels pretty magical, with warm air, a sea breeze and the sky lit up with colour.
When you can stroll from your apartment onto the sand, watch the fireworks over the ocean, then wander back to a quiet, spacious beachfront retreat, it feels even better.
From Oceana on Broadbeach, you can walk to the New Year’s Eve Gold Coast fireworks, wander home along the sand, then wake up on New Year’s Day to coffee on your balcony and an easy morning by the pool.
In this guide, you will find ideas for Broadbeach New Year’s Eve fireworks, places to eat and celebrate, family-friendly ways to spend the night, and how to turn it into a full Gold Coast family holiday.
Broadbeach New Year’s Eve
When you stay at Oceana, you are close enough to walk to the Broadbeach New Year’s Eve fireworks, but far enough away that you will not hear the late-night noise once you are home.
You can wander down for the countdown, then head back to your calm, spacious apartment whenever you are ready to call it a night.
Kurrawa Beach Fireworks
Kurrawa Beach is a key spot for New Year’s Eve Gold Coast fireworks and is only a short stroll along the beachfront from Oceana. Many guests bring a picnic rug, a few snacks and a light jacket, then find a cosy spot on the grass or sand to settle in.
The mood is relaxed and friendly, with families, couples and groups enjoying the warm night air, and for many years, there has been an earlier fireworks session for children as well as a midnight show.
Times and details can change each year, so it is worth checking the official Gold Coast event listings as the New Year gets closer.
New Year’s Eve cruises Gold Coast and waterfront celebrations
If you feel like changing things up, you can look at New Year’s Eve cruises that Gold Coast operators run on the Broadwater and nearby waterways.
They usually leave from nearby marinas and often include dinner, live music and time on the water watching the city lights. It is a fun way to count down to midnight, then head back to your beachfront apartment at Oceana and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
Boats and schedules change each year, so it is worth checking the latest details and booking early, as New Year’s Eve spots are often snapped up quickly.
Family New Year’s Eve events
If you are planning New Year’s Eve events that family members of all ages can enjoy, Broadbeach is a great place to start. You can stay close to your apartment and still be right in the middle of the New Year buzz.
Parks and Kid-friendly Traditions
Many families like to start the evening with a swim or paddle, then grab an easy dinner and wander to the park or foreshore.
The Kurrawa precinct has plenty of space for prams, picnic rugs and little ones who need to run around before the fireworks.
You can watch the early show together, soak up the atmosphere, then make the short walk back to Oceana on Broadbeach when the kids feel tired, knowing you are only a few minutes from your apartment.
Gold Coast family holiday around New Year
New Year’s Eve in big cities can feel busy and crowded. When you turn it into a longer Gold Coast family holiday, you can balance the big night with a few easier, low-key days.
Let New Year’s Eve be the main event, then enjoy extra time for swimming, sandcastle building and unhurried walks along the beachfront paths.
From our place in Broadbeach, you have plenty of choices within walking distance or a short drive, so you can shape each day to suit your family.
New Year’s Eve dinner Gold Coast
For a lot of people, a relaxed New Year’s Eve dinner on the Gold Coast is the nicest way to celebrate. Broadbeach suits this perfectly, with everything from easygoing beachfront cafes to dressier restaurants, all close by.
The Star New Year’s Eve dining and parties
The Star Gold Coast is a go-to spot for a New Year’s party on the Gold Coast, around a 12 to 15 minute walk from Oceana or only a few minutes by taxi or rideshare.
Each year, the New Year’s Eve line-up often includes special set menus, live entertainment and ticketed parties at restaurants such as Garden Kitchen & Bar, Cucina Vivo and Nineteen at The Star, along with themed events and live music across the complex.
It is a good idea to book early, as these spots tend to fill quickly with both locals and visitors.
Bars and Unique NYE Experiences
Closer to home, Broadbeach has plenty of restaurants and bars for dinner, drinks and the midnight countdown, from modern Australian and Italian spots to rooftop bars and cabaret-style venues like Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub.
You may also find one-off events such as a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball or live music, and when you are ready to call it a night, you can simply wander back along the beachfront to your apartment at Oceana.
Gold Coast New Year’s stays
Your New Year’s Eve Gold Coast experience depends a lot on where you stay. At Oceana on Broadbeach, you can be close to the action without giving up your peace and quiet.
You are close to fireworks, dining and nightlife, but you can still retreat to a quiet, spacious apartment right on the sand when you have had enough for the night.
Beachfront Gold Coast accommodation New Years
When you are looking at Gold Coast accommodation during New Year’s week, where you stay really does matter. From Oceana, you can simply:
- Walk to Kurrawa Beach for fireworks
- Head to The Star for dinner or a show
- Wander into the Broadbeach dining precinct for a relaxed meal
- Enjoy a late-night swim in the pool before bed
Gold Coast holiday deals and packages for NYE
The New Year is a very busy time on the Gold Coast, so planning ahead helps. You can check our website or chat with our team about current Gold Coast holiday deals and any Gold Coast holiday package options that suit how you like to travel.
Booking direct makes it easier to ask questions, choose the right apartment and lock in your dates, and if you already have your ideal New Year’s Eve Australia celebration in mind, booking early means you can relax and enjoy the fun parts of planning.
Things to do on the Gold Coast
New Year’s Eve is only one night. The days around it can be just as meaningful for how you start 2026. When you stay a little longer, you can enjoy your favourite things to do on the Gold Coast without rushing.
Beach walks, brunch and easy New Year’s Day plans
On New Year’s Day, many guests are happiest keeping things slow and simple. When you step out of Oceana, you are only a few metres from the sand. You might like to:
- Take a quiet sunrise walk along the beach
- Enjoy a dip in the ocean or a float in the pool
- Wander into Broadbeach for a lazy brunch
- Spend time reading on your balcony with a sea breeze
Summer experiences to set the tone for 2026
Once you feel ready for more activity, you can explore a little further from Broadbeach, with theme parks, wildlife parks, hinterland walks and waterways all an easy drive away.
Our tour desk team can help you choose a full day out, a short cruise or time on the water, so your New Year’s Eve Gold Coast celebration becomes part of a bigger summer escape, not just one busy night.
Start planning your New Year’s Eve Gold Coast escape
New Year’s Eve Gold Coast means beachfront fireworks, family picnics, rooftop parties and river cruises, all within easy reach.
When you stay at Oceana on Broadbeach, you can enjoy the buzz, then come back to your own quiet space by the sea.
If you are thinking about a Gold Coast New Year’s stay or a longer Gold Coast family holiday, get in touch to check your dates and start picturing yourself here by the ocean as the clock counts down to 2026.
Image Credit: NYE Masquerade Ball at The Star Gold Coast