Point Danger Lookout

Point Danger is the headland at the southern tip of the Gold Coast, where Coolangatta in Queensland meets Tweed Heads in New South Wales. The state border runs across the top of the hill, so you can stand with one foot in each state. It is one of the best places on the coast for a view, and a walk up here is an easy way to round off a morning on the southern beaches.

The headland is topped by the Captain Cook Memorial, a concrete lighthouse about 20 metres tall with four rectangular pillars and a bronze sculpture suspended between them. It was built in 1971 to mark the bicentenary of James Cook's voyage along the east coast in 1770 and was first lit in April that year. Unusually, it was originally fitted with an experimental laser light, one of the first lighthouse trials of the technology anywhere; the beam proved too narrow for ships to see easily, and a conventional electric lamp replaced it in 1975. The tower itself is closed to the public, but the site around it is open.

The lookout is a good place to watch for dolphins and, in season, migrating whales offshore. Below the headland are some of the southern Gold Coast's best-known beaches. Snapper Rocks, known for its grassy hill where spectators gather, hosts annual professional surfing events, and Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Coolangatta beaches are close by, all popular for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. A walking trail wraps around Greenmount Hill, linking Greenmount Beach and Rainbow Bay, so you can build a longer coastal walk ending at Point Danger.

The lookout suits everyone, from walkers and photographers to families looking for a free outing. Early morning gives soft light and calmer conditions, while late afternoon offers views back towards the Surfers Paradise skyline. Allow an hour for the lookout itself, or a half day if you combine it with a beach walk and a meal in Coolangatta. Bring a hat and water, as the headland is exposed.

Coolangatta takes its name from the schooner Coolangatta, wrecked here in 1846, and the town still has a relaxed beach-side feel, with oceanfront cafes, restaurants and clubs. A Marine Rescue NSW station sits beside the lighthouse. Reach the lookout on foot by heading up the hill from Rainbow Bay.