28°00′05″S 153°24′58″E / 28.0015°S 153.4162°E / -28.0015; 153.4162
61-631: Home of the Arts ( HOTA ), opened as the Keith Hunt Community Entertainment and Arts Centre in 1986 and subsequently renamed The Arts Centre Gold Coast ( TAC ) and Gold Coast Arts Centre , is a cultural precinct situated in Surfers Paradise , City of Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia. HOTA presents live music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, children's shows, art, and cinema . It is surrounded by parklands and
122-915: A special education program and an intensive English language program. There is no government secondary school in Surfers Paradise. The nearest government secondary schools are Keebra Park State High School in neighboring Southport to the north-west and Benowa State High School in Benowa to the west. 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. English in Paradise, an English language school and international college that has been operating since 2001. Holmes Institute, an integrated multi-sector private provider of education. The institute consists of
183-430: A tiara but the outfit would go through several changes during their existence. The attire has now evolved into a gold lycra bikini and an Akubra hat. A sash is often worn emblazoned "Surfers Paradise Meter Maids". Controversial retired Australian rules football player Warwick Capper underwent a short stint as a Surfers Paradise meter maid in 2007. The evolution of parking meters to no longer take coins has ended
244-550: A canal residential estate ( 27°59′09″S 153°25′25″E / 27.9858°S 153.4236°E / -27.9858; 153.4236 ( Macintosh Island ) ). It was named after Hugh Macintosh, a draftsman in the Queensland Lands Department, who was heavily involved in the surveying of Gold Coast area. It is connected to the mainland by the Gold Coast Highway, which passes through
305-600: A capital city in Australia. Delivery of the A$ 37.5 million Outdoor Stage marked the completion of Stage 1a of the Masterplan. Stage 1b was the construction of a new bridge to Chevron Island , which improved connectivity to Surfers Paradise. The A$ 19.5 million bridge crosses between the parklands and a vacant lot on Stanhill Drive, Chevron Island, and was officially opened in early 2020. The A$ 60.5m HOTA Gallery (Stage 1b of
366-416: A faculty of Vocational Education and Training, a faculty of Higher Education, a School of Secondary Education and an English Language Centres at each location, including Surfers Paradise. 2021 Australian census The 2021 Australian census , simply called the 2021 Census , was the eighteenth national Census of Population and Housing in Australia. The 2021 Census took place on 10 August 2021, and
427-458: A formal consultation process occurred on the online "ABS Consultation Hub", with the ABS receiving 450 submissions, 315 of which were published with consent. Since 2006, the ABS has allowed the census to be completed online, moving in 2016 to be digital-first. Like 2016, the 2021 Census was primarily collected online, with paper census forms being available on request for any household. In 2016, around
488-589: A lake. The HOTA precinct is the centrepiece of the City of Gold Coast Council’s Gold Coast Cultural Precinct masterplan. HOTA was formerly home to the Gold Coast City Art Gallery , which closed in 2018 to prepare for the opening of the new HOTA Gallery in early 2021. The land on which HOTA is situated (known as Evandale) was occupied by a thriving Aboriginal community, later (1860s) being settled by European farmers. The City of Gold Coast bought
549-535: A long time and now hosts the Gold Coast 500 each October. 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. Prior to
610-477: A low-scale open area on the river which even in the early history of the area was a centre for boating, fishing and swimming. In the early 2010s, the annual Surfers Paradise Festival was held in March and April. 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
671-588: A safe, fun environment for school leavers. The area is monitored for exclusive use of current Year 12 school leavers. Schoolies Hub Beach area opens nightly from 7pm. Volunteers in bright orange vests are the Schoolies Support Team who provide practical support and advice. Recharge Zones are located close to the Schoolies Hub to provide a safe place to keep hydrated with free water available. A number of well-known sporting teams represent
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#1732790672820732-504: A third of all households requested and completed their census using the paper form. It was planned that in late October 2019, the ABS would publish a market opportunity to seek a commercial partner to build the 2021 Census Digital Service. The population counts for Australian states and territories were that New South Wales remains the most populous state, with 8,072,163 people counted, ahead of Victoria (6,503,491) and Queensland (5,156,138). The total population of Australian as counted in
793-702: A variety of stores located in Cavill Avenue and surrounding streets as well as at the Centro Surfers Paradise Shopping Centre is located in Cavill Avenue. Adrenalin Park is a small amusement park in Surfers Paradise operated by Funtime . The park features the Sling Shot and Vomatron rides as well as a mini golf course. The Surfers Paradise Meter Maids were introduced in 1965 when entrepreneur Bernie Elsey opposed
854-531: Is 20 m (66 ft) wide from wall-to-wall and 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) high (from stage to stage forecourt), and includes a 5.5 tonne bi-fold proscenium door. In November 2024, Kid Laroi set a new attendance record when he performed at the HOTA Outdoor Stage to a sold-out 4,300 crowd in the first leg of his Australian tour. Surfers Paradise, Queensland Download coordinates as: Surfers Paradise (or Surfers colloquially)
915-466: Is a continuous sandy surf beach. The Esplanade is a road that runs along the coast in the north-east of the suburb. It is bounded to the north-west by the Nerang River which then flows through the suburb to exit at the suburb's most northerly boundary almost at the mouth of the river where it flows into the southern end of Moreton Bay . The south-west of the suburb is land on the western bank of
976-494: Is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 42 St Andrews Avenue on the Isle of Capri ( 28°00′43″S 153°25′15″E / 28.0119°S 153.4207°E / -28.0119; 153.4207 ( Surfers Paradise State School ) ). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 658 students with 50 teachers (44 full-time equivalent) and 28 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent). It includes
1037-506: Is a town and suburb in the City of Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia. In the 2021 census , the suburb of Surfers Paradise had a population of 26,412 people. Colloquially known as "Surfers", the suburb has many high-rise apartment buildings and a wide surf beach. The feature of the heart of the suburb is Cavill Mall , which runs through the shopping and entertainment precinct. Cavill Avenue , named after Jim Cavill, an early hotel owner,
1098-507: Is constantly criticised as promoting teen sex and under age drinking/drug taking. The event also attracts over age and under age attendees that are referred to as 'toolies' and 'foolies'. It is estimated that around 40,000 teenagers travel to the Gold Coast for the Schoolies event every year. A dedicated Schoolies event zone, featuring live music and youth-themed activities, is established each year on Surfers Paradise Beach in order to provide
1159-759: Is fronted to the east by the Surfers Paradise Foreshore, a rejuvenated public space that fronts Surfers Paradise Beach and the Pacific Ocean . The Foreshore was completed in 2011 and feature contemporary coastal streetscaping that incorporates existing trees and vegetation, including about 95 pandanus trees. 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
1220-674: Is named after Jack Cronin, the first engineer employed by the Southport Town Council (now the Gold Coast City Council ). Budds Beach is a beach on the Nerang River on the mainland part of the suburb facing Macintosh Island, Chrevron Island and Cronin Island ( 27°59′35″S 153°25′27″E / 27.9930°S 153.4241°E / -27.9930; 153.4241 ( Budds Beach ) ). It
1281-624: Is one of the busiest shopping strips in Queensland, and the centre of activity for night life. One of the features of the area is the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids designed to build goodwill with tourists. 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. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Surfers Paradise
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#17327906728201342-495: Is reflected in the density of development. 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. In the 2011 census , the suburb of Surfers Paradise had a population of 19,668 people. In the 2016 census , the suburb of Surfers Paradise had a population of 23,689 people. Of these 51.1% were male and 48.9% were female. The median age of
1403-571: Is used to "help governments, businesses, not-for-profit and community organisations across the country make informed decisions", including helping governments to plan the provision of services. An independent report from Lateral Economics found that for every $ 1 of investment on the census, $ 6 of benefits are created in the Australian economy. Since the 2001 Census, all households have the option of allowing their census data, including personal information such as names and addresses, to be stored by
1464-507: The Australian Defence Force , and would not continue asking questions about home internet access considering the rise of mobile devices. This represented the first significant change to census topics since 2006. Alongside these two new topics, the 2021 Census continued to ask questions related to: Through late 2017, the ABS began discussions with major census data users on what was needed. From 3 April to 30 June 2018,
1525-736: The National Archives of Australia (NAA) for 99 years. 99 years after Census Night, the NAA will release that data to the public in a Census Time Capsule. Censuses stored by the NAA cannot by accessed, amended, or retrieved by anyone, including courts and tribunal, until their release, the first of which will occur in 2100. The 2020 Census Test occurred on 27 October 2020 with around 100,000 households from Sydney , Adelaide , Darwin , and Canberra , as well as communities in Karratha , Warrnambool , and Alice Springs Town Camps . Every census,
1586-452: The flying foxes (fruit bats) which roost on the island. Despite its name, the Isle of Capri is not an island but a canal residential neighbourhood ( 28°00′42″S 153°25′28″E / 28.0116°S 153.4244°E / -28.0116; 153.4244 ( Isle Of Capri ) ) in the south-west of the suburb on the western side of the Nerang River. Also on the western side of
1647-488: The "Surfers' Paradise Estate", but the auction failed because access was difficult. This was the first recorded reference to the name Surfers Paradise. Elston began to get more visitors after the opening of Jubilee Bridge and the extension of the South Coast Road in 1925. Elston was no longer cut off by the river and speculators began buying land around Elston and further south at Burleigh Heads . Estates down
1708-602: The 1950s and 1960s. The first highrise in Surfers Paradise was erected in 1959 and was named the Kinkabool. The Kinkabool stood 10 stories high and remains to this day in Hanlan Street. Many tall apartment buildings were constructed in the decades that followed, including the iconic buildings included the Iluka, St Tropez and The Pink Poodle . The boom later saw strong Japanese investment in the 1980s. Little remains of
1769-501: The 1980s, school leavers enjoyed one "muck up day" at the end of their Senior year, which often ended by meeting up at one of the old beer gardens in Surfers or Broadbeach. Official Schoolies events on the Gold Coast are drug-free and alcohol-free events held on the beach. The events often include concerts and parties. The event is often seen as a rite of passage for graduating students and a transitional period from youth to adulthood. It
1830-526: The A$ 32 million City Collection, and comprises over 2,000 m (22,000 sq ft) of exhibition space over six levels, including: The Outdoor Stage officially opened on 17 March 2018, with a sold-out 3,372 attended performance from Tim Minchin . The outdoor stage is surrounded by parklands and a lake, with views to the Surfers Paradise skyline. The structure is framed by a 100-tonne self-supporting screen that protects performers from sun and glare. The stage
1891-553: The ABS makes a recommendation to the Australian Government on the topics to be included, based on the benefit that data would provide to Australia. Through the Census and Statistics Amendment (Statistical Information) Regulations 2020 , the federal parliament approves topics that may be included. For the 2021 census, the ABS had been authorised to include questions relating to long-term health conditions and service in
Home of the Arts, Gold Coast - Misplaced Pages Continue
1952-663: The Gold Coast Arts Centre Proprietary Company Limited as a separate legal entity, becoming the sole shareholder in the company and providing the majority of funding. This company continues to exist as of July 2022. In 1996, the Arts Café was added, with a 2004 extension adding a new cinema, two function rooms and an administration area. In March 2010, as a result of the new masterplan, the Gold Coast Arts Centre
2013-730: The Main Beach Hotel. By 1889, Meyer's hotel had become a post receiving office and subdivisions surrounding it were called Elston , named by the Southport postmaster after his wife's home in Southport , Lancashire , England. The Main Beach Hotel licence lapsed after Meyer's death in 1901 and for 16 years Elston was a tourist town without a hotel or post office. In 1917, a land auction was held by Brisbane real estate company Arthur Blackwood to sell subdivided blocks in Elston as
2074-504: The Surfers Paradise population was 37 years, 1 year below the national median of 38. 44.6% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 7.1%, England 3.7%, India 3.6%, Brazil 2.4% and Japan 2.1%. 59.3% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 2.5%, Portuguese 2.4%, Japanese 2.3%, Punjabi 1.8% and Spanish 1.6%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 29.2% and Catholic 19.3%. Surfers Paradise
2135-698: The Uniting Church congregations on the Gold Coast resulted in the closure of the Clifford Street church, which was relocated to Emmanuel College in Carrara to serve as their chapel. It was officially reopened at the college on 7 July 1991. In the late 40s Margot Kelly moved here and had the Hibiscus Room built. This was a fine-dining restaurant and entertainment venue that attracted an exclusive clientele. A development boom followed in
2196-430: The area of Northcliffe Terrace, a name that refers to a 1920s real estate development between Enderley Avenue and Fern Street. 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. The farm proved unsuccessful and was sold in 1877 to German immigrant Johan Meyer , who turned
2257-434: 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. The precinct offers high rise accommodations to tourists such as Circle on Cavill , Hilton , Q1 and Soul . Surfers Paradise offers some of the Gold Coast's best shopping opportunities, with
2318-877: The church. In September 1940, tenders were called again to build the church in Clifford Street. On Saturday 23 October 1940, the stump-capping ceremony was held. On Saturday 14 December 1940, the Surfers Paradise Methodist Church was opened by Reverend Wilfred Slater, the President of the Methodist Conference. In 1977, it was part of the amalgamation that created the Uniting Church in Australia and became known as Clifford Street Uniting Church. The church celebrated its 50th anniversary in December 1990. An amalgamation of
2379-649: The coast were promoted and hotels opened to accommodate tourists and investors. In 1925, Brisbane hotelier Jim Cavill opened the Surfers Paradise Hotel located on what would later become the site of the Surfers Paradise Centre which incorporates the Surfers Paradise Beer Garden and Hard Rock Cafe. In opening the hotel and neighbouring zoo, Cavill created the first attraction in the suburb. Located between
2440-446: The early vegetation or natural features of the area and even the historical association of the beachfront development with the river is tenuous. The early subdivision pattern remains, although later reclamation of the islands in the Nerang River as housing estates (e.g. Chevron Island ), and the bridges to those islands, have created a contrast reflected in subdivision and building form. Some early remnants survived such as Budds Beach —
2501-460: The eastern part of the island from north ( Main Beach ) to south (Surfers Paradise). Chevron Island is a natural island which has been developed for residential use as a neighbourhood ( 27°59′49″S 153°25′12″E / 27.9969°S 153.4199°E / -27.9969; 153.4199 ( Chevron Island ) ). Thomas Drive is the main road on an east–west axis and which connects
Home of the Arts, Gold Coast - Misplaced Pages Continue
2562-408: The ferry jetty and the white surf beach off the South Coast Road, it became popular and shops and services sprang up around it. In the following years Cavill pushed to have the name Elston changed to Surfers' Paradise. The suburb was officially renamed on 1 December 1933 after the local council felt the Surfers Paradise name was more marketable. In July 1936 Cavill's timber hotel burnt to the ground and
2623-433: The installation of parking meters in Surfers Paradise. The maids were hired to top up expired parking meters with coins and dressed in gold bikinis. Meter feeding is against the law but council decided to ignore the offence due to the good publicity it garnered. Gold Coast Mayor Bruce Small promoted the city in 1967 through the use of the bikini-clad meters maids. The meter maids initially dressed in gold lamé bikinis and
2684-437: The island by two bridges to mainland Surfers Paradise to the east and to the suburb or Southport to the west. It has another bridge to the north to Cronin Island ( 27°59′34″S 153°25′07″E / 27.9927°S 153.4186°E / -27.9927; 153.4186 ( Cronin Island ) ), a smaller reclaimed island and residential neighbourhood which is only accessible by road via Chevron Island. Cronin Island
2745-640: The land in the 1960, and the Evandale Civic and Cultural Centre, designed by local architect Alan Griffith , was opened in 1976. HOTA was first named the Keith Hunt Community Entertainment and Arts Centre. It was officially opened in December 1986, owned and managed by the council, and was renamed the Gold Coast Arts Centre, which remained until March 2010. In 1993, the Gold Coast City Council formed
2806-465: The land into a sugar farm and mill. 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. From 1880 to 1928, Meyer's Ferry operated across the Nerang River transporting passengers and vehicles. He operated a horse-and-buggy service from the Southport railway station to the beach. He built
2867-716: The local area. At national level representing the Gold Coast include National Rugby League club, the Gold Coast Titans and Australian Football League team, the Gold Coast Suns . Additionally, clubs and teams based in Surfers Paradise include Australian Shooting Academy, Surfers Paradise Rowing Club, Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club , Surfers Paradise Rugby Union Club , Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club, Surfers Paradise Cricket Club, Surfers Paradise Golf Club, Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club and Surfers Paradise Baseball Club . Surfers Paradise State School
2928-457: The meter maids's traditional role, but they continue to assist visitors and participate in tourism events. The "Gold Coast Nightlife Precinct" offers many after-dark activities for visitors, especially around Cavill Avenue. The precinct is considered Australia's nightlife capital and attracts close to 20,000 visitors daily. The precinct also hosts the largest Schoolies week event in the country, attracting tens of thousands of school leavers to
2989-553: The precinct. 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. In July, Surfers Paradise hosts the annual Gold Coast Marathon in July, attracting runners from around the world. In Surfers Paradise there also is the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit , which hosted CART for
3050-406: The project) opened on 8 May 2021. HOTA presents live music, theatre, dance, comedy, opera, children's shows, art,and cinema . It is surrounded by Evandale Parklands and Evandale lake. The HOTA precinct is the centrepiece of the City of Gold Coast Council’s Gold Coast Cultural Precinct masterplan. Home of the Arts includes a number of venues: The HOTA Gallery, designed by ARM Architecture, houses
3111-442: The river and is bounded by Bundall Road. The Gold Coast Highway passes through the suburb from north to south. The course of the river has been modified extensively in the latter part of the 20th century to create permanent islands for residential development, some of which were natural features while others were on reclaimed land created by a system of canals. Macintosh Island is an island, substantially redeveloped to create
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#17327906728203172-721: The river and to the north of the Isle of Capri is Evandale Park ( 28°00′06″S 153°24′58″E / 28.0016°S 153.4161°E / -28.0016; 153.4161 ( Evandale Park ) ) which is a park which contains the Gold Coast Council Chambers (administrative centre) and the council's Home of the Arts cultural precinct. Northcliffe Beach is a section of the Surfers Paradise Beach ( 28°00′22″S 153°25′54″E / 28.0061°S 153.4316°E / -28.0061; 153.4316 ( Northcliffe Beach ) ) in
3233-633: The school relocated to its current site on the Isle of Capri. In December 1938, tenders were called to construct a Methodist Church in Hamilton Avenue, just off the Pacific Highway, close to the beach. The church was to seat 140 people and was designed by architect W. J. E. Kerrison. It was anticipated that the church would open at Easter in 1939. However, tenders were called again in July 1939. In June 1940, church officials indicated that they still did not have sufficient funds to build
3294-499: Was an ethnically diverse suburb, including the largest Jewish community (119 people; 0.5%), the largest Spanish Australian community (285 people; 1.2%), and the largest Lebanese Australian community (84 people; 0.4%) of any suburb in Queensland . In the 2021 census , the suburb of Surfers Paradise had a population of 26,412 people. Surfers Paradise has a number of heritage-listed structures, including: Surfers Paradise
3355-514: Was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "location". Surfers Point is bounded to the east by the Coral Sea of the Pacific Ocean . The entire coastline of Surfers Paradise is called Surfers Paradise Beach ( 28°00′08″S 153°25′53″E / 28.0022°S 153.4314°E / -28.0022; 153.4314 ( Surfers Paradise Beach ) ) and
3416-599: Was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It had a response rate of 96.1%, up from the 95.1% at the 2016 census . The total population of the Commonwealth of Australia was counted as 25,422,788, an increase of 8.6 per cent or 2,020,896 people over the previous 2016 census. Results from the 2021 census were released to the public on 28 June 2022 from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website . A small amount of additional 2021 census data
3477-566: Was named after Alan Foster Budd who built a house there in the 1940s. Jarriparilla Cove is the body of water that lies between Budds Beach and Macintosh Island ( 27°59′24″S 153°25′34″E / 27.99°S 153.4261°E / -27.99; 153.4261 ( Jarriparilla Cove ) ). It is a traditional Aboriginal name. Girung Island is a small undeveloped island ( 28°00′34″S 153°25′09″E / 28.0095°S 153.4191°E / -28.0095; 153.4191 ( Girung Island ) ) named using Yugambeh word for
3538-415: Was rebuilt the following year. 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) ) ). In 1976,
3599-526: Was released in October 2022 and in 2023. Australia's next census is scheduled to take place in 2026. The census was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic . It therefore provided a clear snapshot of how the pandemic impacted Australian society. In Australia, completing the census is compulsory for all people in Australia on census night, only excluding foreign diplomats and their families. Census data
3660-432: Was renamed, rebranded, refurbished and relaunched as The Arts Centre Gold Coast. In 2013, a competition was held to find an architect to create a new cultural precinct, and ARM Architecture and TOPOTEK 1 won. In 2018, a fresh rebrand took place and the venue became HOTA, Home of the Arts. Also in 2018, the Gold Coast City Art Gallery closed to make way for a new gallery, which was the largest public gallery outside of
3721-491: 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. By 2020, minor changes had occurred in extending the road along the beachfront since the early subdivision and The Esplanade road is now a focus of activity, with supporting shops and restaurants. The intensity of activity, centred on Cavill, Orchid and Elkhorn Avenues,
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