How To Survive A Heatwave On The Gold Coast

By Rory Switzer.

A summer storm is fast approaching the coast and temperatures are soaring into the mid 30’s. The AA batteries in your hand-held mini fan have bit the dust and the cool summer breeze has decided to take the day off. What do you do? Where do you go?! Here are a few suggestions from a Canadian blooded man living on the Goldy where the struggle is all too real.

Minimal clothing

Ever sit and ponder as to why such a high percentage of Gold Coast locals are in ridiculously good shape? Why you see more tattoos, breast enhancements & tree-trunk sized biceps in one place than a UFC ring before showdown? It’s because for a few months of the year it’s simply too hot to wear much clothing and these folks want to look damn good half naked!

Sunnies/Singlet/Boardies/Thongs; take a page from the beach bums and lose a few layers when the thermometer peaks.

Flavour Flav

Beat the heat with a scoop of ice cream, or if you’re fancy and/or Italian, a serving of gelato. This is by far the sweetest way to stay cool. Hit up Gelatissimo in Surfers Paradise if you’re on the north end, Delisssh frozen yoghurt in Nobby’s Beach if you’re central, or Strawberry Road Homemade Ice Cream Parlour in Coolangatta if you’re down south.

Or, go on an all-out cream-crawl down the coast, just please, lick responsibly.

Wear Thongs, EVERYWHERE

I know it may seem pointless bringing footwear down to the beach when your holiday accommodation is but a stone-throw away from the beach. Think again. It’s almost guaranteed that on any given hot day on the Gold Coast, nearly all walkable surface areas have the ability to cook an egg in less than a minute (I’ve seen Scandinavian backpackers perfect this method). Footwear is essential in any Gold Coast heat wave.

The Ocean is your friend.

The Gold Coast has 44 Kilometres of pristine beach from The Spit to Coolangatta. Wherever you may be residing along the coast when a hot spell hits, you’ll pretty close to a large body of water to bring down that body temp of yours. Even if swimming isn’t your strong suit, there are a bunch of half-naked lifeguards ready to sweep you up off of the ocean floor with their tree trunk arms. Come on in, the water’s fine!