📸 Top Gold Coast & Northern NSW Photoshoot Locations

The Gold Coast and Northern NSW offer some of the most breathtaking backdrops for family portraits, elopements, and lifestyle photography. From lush gardens to dramatic coastlines, each location tells its own story—perfect for creating timeless images that reflect love, connection, and personality.

🎨 HOTA – Home of the Arts

For something unique beyond beaches and hinterland, HOTA offers a blend of modern architecture and natural scenery:

• Bold, colourful buildings with striking geometric design—perfect for creative, contemporary portraits.

• Bridge and lake views that add reflective water elements and depth to your shots.

• Expansive lawns and outdoor stage for family sessions or lifestyle photography with a city vibe.

• Cityscape backdrops at sunset and during the “blue moment,” when the skyline glows against twilight.

• St Margaret’s Chapel, a charming small church for intimate weddings or elopements.

• Lakeside beach—a hidden gem within the precinct, offering a relaxed, sandy shoreline where kids can play or couples can enjoy romantic water‑edge portraits.

HOTA is versatile: it combines artistic urban energy with romantic natural elements, making it a standout choice for families, couples, and portraits seeking something different.

🌿 Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens

Nestled in Benowa, the Botanic Gardens are a haven of greenery and tranquility. Families love the wide lawns and shaded paths, while couples find romance among the rose gardens and lakeside boardwalks. It’s a versatile spot for portraits with both natural and manicured beauty.

🌳 Macintosh Island Park

A hidden gem near Surfers Paradise, this park blends lush greenery with playful charm. The bridges, waterways, and resident peacocks add character to family shoots. It’s ideal for relaxed, candid portraits with a touch of whimsy.

🍷 Tamborine Mountain Wineries & Scenic Views

For couples and elopements, Tamborine Mountain offers rustic elegance. Vineyards, rainforest walks, and panoramic lookouts create a dreamy atmosphere. Whether it’s a romantic stroll among the vines or a dramatic cliffside portrait, this location is perfect for storytelling photography.

🌊 Doug Jennings Park & The Spit

Wide open spaces meet ocean views at The Spit. This park is perfect for large family gatherings or adventurous couples who want sweeping coastal backdrops. Sunset sessions here are especially magical, with golden light reflecting off the water.

🗼 Fingal Head Lighthouse

Historic and dramatic, Fingal Head Lighthouse overlooks basalt columns and rugged coastline. It’s a striking location for elopements or portraits with a sense of adventure. The nearby Dreamtime Beach adds a quieter, intimate option for couples seeking privacy.

🏖️ Beaches of the Gold Coast & Northern NSW

• Just south of Surfers Paradise — the vibrant heart of the Gold Coast — you’ll find two of the region’s most popular photography spots: Miami Beach and the North Burleigh Lookout.

  
  

  Miami Beach & North Burleigh Lookout: Miami Beach offers a unique blend of natural and urban backdrops. With its striking rock formations and sweeping views of the cityscape, it’s an ideal setting for late‑afternoon sessions when the soft coastal light adds warmth and depth to every image.

  
  

  Just above, the North Burleigh Lookout provides elevated perspectives that capture the Gold Coast in all its drama. From this vantage point, couples can enjoy breathtaking sunrise and sunset views, with panoramic horizons perfect for romantic, cinematic photography.

  
  

  Together, these two locations create a versatile canvas — from intimate beachside portraits to sweeping lookout panoramas — making them standout choices for elopements, engagements, and family sessions.

• Main Beach: Easy to access, with cityscape views and fewer crowds than Surfers Paradise. Great for urban‑meets‑coastal portraits.

• Elephant Rock, Currumbin Beach: Iconic rock formations and sweeping ocean views—ideal for adventurous couples or family portraits with a bold backdrop.

• Snapper Rock, Rainbow Bay Beach: Famous surf breaks and vibrant coastal energy, perfect for lifestyle shoots.

• Dreamtime Beach, Fingal Head: Quiet, secluded, with dramatic cliffs. A romantic choice for elopements or intimate family sessions.

• Kingscliff: Kingscliff blends coastal serenity with lush, intimate landscapes—making it a standout location for couples and families seeking heartfelt, natural portraits. The beaches here are quiet and expansive, perfect for barefoot strolls and golden-hour moments. Just inland, you’ll find vibrant greenery and seasonal blooms that frame tender interactions with softness and depth.

✨ Why These Locations Work

• Families → Beaches are perfect for kids to play in the water and sand, while parks and gardens provide safe open spaces for running, exploring, and candid moments.

• Couples & Elopements → Scenic coastlines, wineries, and secluded lookouts create romantic, intimate settings for storytelling photography.

• Portraits → Versatile backdrops—from urban edges at Main Beach to dramatic cliffs at Fingal Head—help highlight personality and style in every shot.

  
  

✨ Final Note

Whether you’re celebrating love, family, or personal milestones, the Gold Coast and Northern NSW provide endless opportunities for unforgettable photography. Each location is more than just a backdrop—it’s part of your story.