Runaway Bay is a small coastal suburb in the far north of Australia's Gold Coast, with a beach that's sheltered from the Pacific Ocean wind. It's a tranquil haven for families and couples seeking a quiet escape. The Pine Ride Conservation Park provides a green backdrop to the modern luxury developments that hug the coastline, while a colourful maze of canals stretch inland from the beach.
Exploring the water is the chief attraction and dozens of luxurious yachts sway in the Runaway Bay Harbour. Many of these are available for charter and a variety of cruises allow visitors to explore the local waterways. The waves are gentle here, making it a popular spot for stand up paddle boarders. To elevate the escape, many visitors spend a day or night on South Stradbroke Island, just a few miles offshore.
Runaway Bay is small and can be easily navigated on foot, or with a local taxi. Gold Coast water ferries connect Runaway Bay and Stradbroke Island with the suburbs further south, like Broadbeach. Local bus services also connect Runaway Bay to the rest of the Gold Coast.
For many decades, the bay was known as Angler's Paradise, thanks to its calm water estuary and feast of deep sea reef and game fishing. The waterways were a haven for kingfish, tuna, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish. While its coastline was transformed by upmarket developments in the 1970s, including the creation of the luxurious marina, it has remained a revered spot for both local and international anglers.