Family in Suburb

Palm Beach Suburb Profile and Insights

Report Date: October 2026

Postcode: 4221 (Queensland)

Palm Beach is a large and varied southern Gold Coast coastal suburb extending between Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek, with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Pacific Motorway forming its western edge. Its property market includes direct beachfront houses and apartments, compact beachside house blocks, older walk-up units, contemporary apartment buildings, duplexes, larger inland family homes, canal-edge property and residential streets around Laguna Lake. The result is considerably broader than the image of a narrow beach strip suggests.

East of the Gold Coast Highway, the established street pattern is one of Palm Beach’s defining property features. Many sites through Jefferson Lane, Cypress Terrace, Palm Beach Avenue and the numbered avenues retain the dimensions of the suburb’s earlier coastal subdivision, with blocks around 405 to 413 square metres recurring in several beachside pockets. Original beach houses and modest post-war homes remain interspersed with substantial contemporary residences, duplexes and small apartment buildings. Larger sites also occur, particularly where older lots have different dimensions, at street corners or around the northern and southern ends.

Jefferson Lane provides Palm Beach’s clearest beachfront property environment. It runs directly behind the foreshore through a substantial part of the suburb and contains detached beach houses, duplex-style residences, established low-rise units and contemporary apartment buildings. The mix changes from block to block rather than forming a continuous wall of towers. Northern Palm Beach around Cypress Terrace North and Tallebudgera Drive retains a particularly strong low-rise residential character close to both the beach and Tallebudgera Creek, while the central Fifth Avenue and Palm Beach Avenue area combines apartments, houses and a walkable commercial centre.

Farther inland, Palm Beach becomes more conventionally suburban. Streets around Mallawa Drive, Laguna Avenue, Nineteenth Avenue and adjoining roads contain established detached homes on a much broader range of lots, including many around 600 to 800 square metres and some considerably larger. Canal frontage appears through parts of this western and southern residential area, while Laguna Lake and its surrounding parkland create another distinct setting. These pockets commonly provide larger gardens, pools and vehicle accommodation than the compact beachside grid.

Palm Beach State School and Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School are both located within the suburb. Pavilions Palm Beach anchors the central shopping and dining precinct around Fifth Avenue, while 19th Avenue Shopping Centre provides supermarket-based shopping near the southern inland side. Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre, Laguna Park, Palm Beach Parklands, the surf lifesaving clubs and the creek environments at both ends give the suburb an extensive recreation network. The Gold Coast Highway remains the principal public transport corridor, with frequent bus connections and access north to the G:link terminus at Burleigh Heads.

Palm Beach has 28 parks. The predominant age group is 30-34 years.

The area of Palm Beach is 9.1 square kilometres. It has a population of approximately 16,349 people.

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Summary

Suburb Area9.1 km²
Predominant Age Group30-34 years

Understanding how median price is calculated and interpreted can provide deeper insight into how typical transactions are reflected in suburb statistics. Learn more about median price.

Housing Tenure Breakdown
Owned outright
28.51% (1,894)
Owned with mortgage
32.09% (2,132)
Rented
36.96% (2,456)
Other / not stated
2.44% (162)
Tenure breakdown (percent and count)
TenurePercentCount
Owned outright28.51%1,894
Owned with mortgage32.09%2,132
Rented36.96%2,456
Other / not stated2.44%162
Total dwellings100.00%6,644

Understanding housing tenure can provide deeper insight into how ownership structure influences stability, lending conditions, and market behaviour. Learn more about housing tenure.

 

Dwelling Structure Breakdown
Detached Houses
41.07% (2,719)
Townhouses and Terrace Homes
19.86% (1,315)
Apartments and Units
38.57% (2,554)
Alternative or Specialised Dwellings
0.50% (33)

Understanding dwelling structure can provide deeper insight into neighbourhood character, density patterns, redevelopment potential, and how housing supply influences long-term market behaviour.

Lending Considerations

Estimated Lending SensitivityPossible - Tighter Lending Conditions May Apply

An indicative view of how lenders may assess property security in this suburb based on market characteristics such as liquidity, housing mix, supply levels, and price stability. These factors may influence lending conditions including loan-to-value ratios (LVR), valuation approaches, and overall lender appetite. Individual lending outcomes vary by lender, property, and personal circumstances. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Buyers should confirm lending conditions with their lender, broker, or financial professional before making decisions. Learn how location affects lending.

 

Suburb Features

Parks28
Suburb TypeUrban
Suburb Position/TrajectoryEstablished Residential
Lifestyle CategoryLifestyle
Market MaturityEstablished
Swimming BeachHas a Swimming Beach
Notable Walking Highlights Beach Walks
Tourism AppealHas Tourism Appeal

 

Travel Times To/From Palm Beach

M1 Access (Peak)6 mins
M1 Access (Off-peak)4 mins
Brisbane CBD (Peak)120 mins
Brisbane CBD (Off-peak)75 mins
Surfers Paradise (Peak)55 mins
Surfers Paradise (Off-peak)35 mins
Brisbane Airport (Peak)140 mins
Brisbane Airport (Off-peak)95 mins
Gold Coast Airport (Peak)14 mins
Gold Coast Airport (Off-peak)12 mins

 

Local Schools Near Palm Beach

Schools within:

Primary Schools
Palm Beach State School
Elanora State School
Currumbin State School

Secondary Schools
Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School
Elanora State High School

Other Education Facilities
Tallebudgera Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre

Show Full School Details

School Information: Copyright © State of Queensland (Department of Education) 2026. School information is provided for general reference only. Parents and carers should confirm enrolment eligibility, catchment areas, and enrolment requirements directly with the relevant school or education authority, as policies and boundaries may change.

 

Notable Palm Beach Streets

Jefferson Lane
Beachfront position gives this lane a distinctive Palm Beach character. It runs along the ocean side of the suburb, where older beach houses, modern apartments and redevelopment sites sit close to the sand. The narrow coastal setting feels very different from the Gold Coast Highway, with a quieter residential scale shaped by direct proximity to the beach.

Cypress Terrace
Long beachside alignment and access to the numbered avenues make this one of Palm Beach's most useful local streets. It sits between the oceanfront lane and the suburb's busier movement corridors, giving residents a practical route through the coastal strip without the same traffic feel as the highway. Older houses, small apartment buildings, car park access and side-street connections all contribute to its established beach suburb character.

Nineteenth Avenue
Southern Palm Beach access gives this avenue a clear local role, linking the beachside strip back toward the highway and motorway side of the suburb. It is part of the named avenue grid that structures Palm Beach's coastal layout, while its proximity to larger transport routes gives it more movement importance than many smaller residential streets. The setting reflects the suburb's blend of beach access, apartment living and practical southern Gold Coast connectivity.

Palm Beach Avenue
Central beachside movement, local shops and changing apartment development give this avenue a prominent role within Palm Beach. It sits where residential streets, commercial frontage and beach access are closely connected, making it familiar to both locals and visitors. The setting reflects Palm Beach's shift from older coastal suburb toward a denser village-style address while retaining a strong residential presence.

 

Swim Safe
As you enjoy some of the world's most stunning beaches, remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags, and follow the signage and guidance from surf lifesavers.

 

Disclaimer: This data was current as of October 2026. Some information is based on data from the last Australian Census and may not reflect more recent demographic or economic changes. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, but we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or reliability. The data is presented for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. We are not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from its use. Users should verify details with relevant sources and seek professional advice where appropriate for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

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