Surfers Paradise Revitalisation - Trial Pedestrianisation of The Esplanade

Next steps for Surfers Paradise Revitalisation - Trial Pedestrianisation of The Esplanade!

We’re trialling a new idea: turning a 250-metre stretch of The Esplanade into a pedestrian-friendly space to see if it helps make Surfers Paradise more vibrant and welcoming.

Why are we doing this?

Over the past few years, we’ve spoken with the community about how to improve and renew Surfers Paradise. This started in 2019 with the Surfers Paradise Business Centre Place Making Master Plan, and continued in 2023 with the release of the first design concept for the Surfers Paradise Revitalisation project, focusing on upgrades to Cavill Avenue, Cavill Mall, and The Esplanade.

Based on subsequent community feedback, we updated the concept to include pedestrianising a section of The Esplanade. In April 2025, we asked for more input on this and 71% of respondents supported the idea.

What’s happening now?

To test the updated concept, the City has temporarily closed a 250-metre section of The Esplanade between Hanlan Street and the roundabout near the Soul building to vehicles.

During the trial, this space is being transformed into The People’s Esplanade Pop-Up - a lively hub of events, entertainment, and public seating designed to show how the area could work as an extension of Cavill Mall.

This is a chance to see how a permanent pedestrian space could benefit the Surfers Paradise beachfront.

What will the trial help us learn?

  • How traffic flows through Surfers Paradise during the trial closure of The Esplanade
  • How the community responds to the pop-up space and activities
  • Whether visitation and time spent in the area increases
  • What the community thinks about the events and pedestrianisation

Have your say!

We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts on the trial and go into the draw to win one of two $250 gift vouchers each month during the three-month trial (terms and conditions apply).

Community engagement runs from Friday 22 August to Sunday 16 November 2025.

Next steps for Surfers Paradise Revitalisation - Trial Pedestrianisation of The Esplanade!

We’re trialling a new idea: turning a 250-metre stretch of The Esplanade into a pedestrian-friendly space to see if it helps make Surfers Paradise more vibrant and welcoming.

Why are we doing this?

Over the past few years, we’ve spoken with the community about how to improve and renew Surfers Paradise. This started in 2019 with the Surfers Paradise Business Centre Place Making Master Plan, and continued in 2023 with the release of the first design concept for the Surfers Paradise Revitalisation project, focusing on upgrades to Cavill Avenue, Cavill Mall, and The Esplanade.

Based on subsequent community feedback, we updated the concept to include pedestrianising a section of The Esplanade. In April 2025, we asked for more input on this and 71% of respondents supported the idea.

What’s happening now?

To test the updated concept, the City has temporarily closed a 250-metre section of The Esplanade between Hanlan Street and the roundabout near the Soul building to vehicles.

During the trial, this space is being transformed into The People’s Esplanade Pop-Up - a lively hub of events, entertainment, and public seating designed to show how the area could work as an extension of Cavill Mall.

This is a chance to see how a permanent pedestrian space could benefit the Surfers Paradise beachfront.

What will the trial help us learn?

  • How traffic flows through Surfers Paradise during the trial closure of The Esplanade
  • How the community responds to the pop-up space and activities
  • Whether visitation and time spent in the area increases
  • What the community thinks about the events and pedestrianisation

Have your say!

We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts on the trial and go into the draw to win one of two $250 gift vouchers each month during the three-month trial (terms and conditions apply).

Community engagement runs from Friday 22 August to Sunday 16 November 2025.

  • Thank you for your feedback - consultation now closed

    The updated design for The Esplanade is here – and we’d love to hear from you!

    We’re revitalising the heart of Surfers Paradise, with a major upgrade planned for Cavill Mall, Cavill Avenue and the central section of The Esplanade (between the Soul and Hanlan Street roundabouts). This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform one of our city’s most iconic spaces into a more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly and vibrant destination – one that locals love and visitors remember.

    We listened

    When we first shared the early concept design in 2023, we heard strong community support for creating an iconic, people-focused destination.

    You told us you wanted:

    • More greenery and shade to help cool the area and make it more comfortable throughout the day
    • Safer, more inviting spaces with better access for everyone, including people using prams or wheelchairs
    • A better Oceanway experience where pedestrians feel more comfortable and safer alongside bikes and e-scooters
    • Open space for events and connection – a place that brings the community together

    What’s changed in the updated design?

    We’ve refined the design based on your feedback and made it more bold and exciting.

    The biggest change is the removal of through traffic between Soul and Hanlan Street, opening up more space (more than 5000m2) for people and events

    It also includes:

    • A beachside amphitheatre with terraced seating right on the sand – perfect for relaxing or enjoying small-scale events
    • More trees and shade structures to make the space cooler and greener
    • A reimagined Oceanway that gently winds along the foreshore to encourage slower cycling and improve pedestrian safety
    • Simplified coastal design to make the project more efficient and resilient


    Thank you for having your say and helping shape the future of Surfers Paradise. The consultation has now concluded.

    During the consultation period from 8 April to 28 April 2025, we received 1,704 submissions.

    Full survey results are available in the Community Engagement Report.

    Your feedback will inform the design and help reinvigorate Surfers Paradise.

  • Thank you for your feedback - consultation now closed

    How do you imagine the future of Surfers Paradise?

    The Surfers Paradise Revitalisation Concept Design for our tourist heart aims to rekindle the love for Surfers Paradise as a safe and attractive destination for locals and visitors. It has been created based on community feedback on the concepts and ideas in the Surfers Paradise Place Making Plan in 2019. The community told us the most important improvements to be made are:

    • Family friendly
    • Pedestrian mobility
    • Public safety
    • Shade/street trees


    The Concept Design proposes how Cavill Avenue, Cavill Mall and The Esplanade can be reimagined both by day and night. As the city moves into a new era, this revitalisation will create fresh, memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike in recognition of Surfers Paradise as a place of global relevance and a world-class destination.

    Watch this video to see the vision for Surfers Paradise Revitalisation explained.



    Thank you for having your say and helping shape the future of Surfers Paradise. The consultation has now concluded.

    During the consultation period from 29 August to 26 September 2023, we received 4602 submissions.

    Full survey results are available in the Community Engagement Report.

    Your feedback will inform the design and help reinvigorate Surfers Paradise.

Page last updated: 21 Oct 2025, 02:59 PM