Cali Beach

Overview

When word first dropped in late 2020 that Surfers Paradise was about to nab a new sky-high beach club — a space that takes its cues from both California and Europe, sits right near the ocean, and features everything from pools and cabanas to restaurants and volleyball courts — the venue loomed as a must-visit summer destination. And, while it launched almost a year later than initially planned, that's still the case.

Cali Beach is open on Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Here, you'll head up to a fourth-floor rooftop and get swimming and sipping — and enjoy lazing around on sun loungers and daybeds under both the sun and the stars. This new space inspires a few questions, too, the answers to which make quite the itinerary.

Do you like hanging out by the beach? Splashing around in four pools, including three with beach edges? Enjoying a few games of volleyball on the sand? If you nodded heartily in agreement at all of these queries, then you'll want to add Cali Beach Club to your must-visit list. If you also like to spend your time kicking back in a cabana, hopping between multiple restaurants and bars, dancing to DJs and gathering the gang on a rooftop with a view, you will as well.

The site features all of the aforementioned facilities and activities in the one spot, so it's more than a little jam-packed with things to do. Perched on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Avenue, sprawling across more than 5000 square metres, and boasting vantages over both the ocean and the Surfers' skyline, it's billing itself as an "adults-only playground" — but you might prefer to think of it as the boozy adult alternative to the theme parks that the Gold Coast is best known for.

Australian hospitality group Artesian Hospitality is leading the charge here, putting almost $10 million into the entertainment precinct. Those funds have been spent on all of the aforementioned features, plus exercise areas and sports facilities — including that beach volleyball court — and an openair cinema and dance floor as well.

Food-wise, you have options, thanks to menu choices that include karaage chicken ($24), oysters ($5 each), braised pork belly skewers ($16) and bug sliders ($45), as well as fruit ($29), chips ($35) and sushi ($75) platters.

The drinks menu spans three pages, complete with classic, signature and two-litre shared cocktails, boozy slushies, a range of wines and beers, and a champagne list that spans to 12-litre bottles (for $8550 — yes, you read that correctly). Or, there's alcoholic Cocowhip desserts ($21.50) in apple crumble, passionfruit, cherry ripe and strawberry shortcake varieties.