Athena by the SeaBeachfront · Surfers Paradise

The Olympus · Surfers Paradise

Wake up to the Pacific.

A newly renovated beachfront apartment for two, across the road from the sand. A king bed with ocean views, a balcony made for long breakfasts, and Surfers Paradise at your door.

The balcony at Athena by the Sea, with drinks set out and the surf beyond
King bedroom with ocean views

Top 10% of homeson Airbnb for ratings, reviews and reliability

Plan your stay

See where to book

Pick your dates to compare Airbnb, Zoe direct, Booking.com and Expedia, see what’s on, and check sunrise times.

  • 180°ocean views
  • Kingbed, sea views
  • 2guests
  • Heatedpool & tennis
  • 1secure car park
  • 3 minwalk to the tram

The apartment

Light, calm and made for two

Freshly renovated with a warm coastal look: timber floors, deep cushions, crisp linen and glass that frames the ocean from almost every corner.

Open-plan living and dining room with ocean views through the glass
Living & dining
King bed facing the window
King bedroom
White kitchen with timber benchtops
Full kitchen

The balcony

A private, curved balcony with unmatched 180° ocean views. Coffee at sunrise, a glass of wine as the waves roll in.

The lounge

A big, comfortable sofa, a smart TV, Wi-Fi and reverse-cycle air-conditioning for any season.

The bedroom

A plush king bed with ocean views straight from your pillow, a second smart TV, and USB charging at each bedside.

The kitchen

Modern appliances, timber benchtops, a coffee machine and plenty of storage. A dining table for breakfast with a view.

Bathroom & laundry

A spacious walk-in shower, sleek vanity and premium toiletries, plus a washer-dryer so you can pack light.

What’s included

Everything you need, nothing you don’t

The apartment is fully self-contained, and the Olympus has resort-style extras downstairs.

In the apartment

  • 180° ocean views from a private balcony
  • King bed with ocean views
  • Smart TVs in the lounge and bedroom
  • Reverse-cycle air-conditioning
  • Wi-Fi
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Coffee machine
  • Washer-dryer
  • USB charging at each bedside
  • Premium toiletries
  • Room-darkening shades
  • Travel cot available

In the building

  • Heated swimming pool with shower block
  • Tennis court
  • Communal BBQ area
  • Secure undercover parking for one car (1.8m clearance)
  • Lift
  • G:Link tram about 3 minutes’ walk

Check-in from 3pm, check-out by 10am. Two guests maximum. No parties, no pets, and smoking only on the balcony.

Soft evening light over the beach

Your balcony faces the sunrise

When does the sun come up?

The balcony faces east over the Pacific. Pick any morning of your stay to see when to set the alarm.

Sunrise–
Sunset–
Daylight–

Times are for Surfers Paradise (Queensland time, no daylight saving), worked out from the sun’s position.

Guest reviews

In our guests’ own words

Rated 4.96 out of 5 from 56 reviews on Airbnb, and a Guest Favourite: one of the most loved homes on Airbnb.

4.9656 reviews on Airbnb
  • Cleanliness5.0
  • Accuracy5.0
  • Check-in5.0
  • Communication5.0
  • Location5.0
  • Value4.9
The apartment was every bit as beautiful as the photos, and the view has to be one of the best you can get in Surfers Paradise.
Bilal · August 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

Absolutely loved our stay here. The apartment was every bit as beautiful as the photos, and the view has to be one of the best you can get in Surfers Paradise. Waking up to the sound of the waves and that incredible ocean view made the whole stay feel magical. You can really tell Zoe has put her heart into setting up this place. Everything has been thoughtfully done, the furniture and apartment were super clean, and everything was exactly as described in the listing. The whole place has such a wonderful holiday vibe , the moment you walk in, you immediately feel relaxed and like you’re properly on vacation. Zoe was also an amazing host. She was incredibly responsive and usually replied within minutes, and both check-in and check-out were very easy. We genuinely have no complaints at all. A beautiful place, an incredible location and view, and a fantastic host. Would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Surfers Paradise.

BilalAugust 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

This was the perfect Airbnb. So many are not cosy or comfortable - this was the opposite! Large lounge and bed with loads of cushions and throw rugs, really really comfortable outdoor furniture that you could sit in for hours and watch the world go by. The decor was warm and homely. Kitchen was full sized and so user friendly. Location was perfect - walking distance to everything, looked right over the beach…could spend hours on the balcony or even the couch or bed just watching the waves roll in. We stayed for almost two weeks and felt completely at home the whole time. Zoe was always super quick to respond to any queries and really friendly. Would stay here again and wouldn’t change a thing. This is how Airbnb should be!

NicolaFebruary 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

The minute we entered the apartment we felt happy. The gorgeous view, comfy chairs on the balcony used on the sunny mornings, everything you needed in the kitchen and just a great vibe with cute instructions. Right on the beach, able to walk to so many great restaurants, couldn’t have had a better five days, wish it had been longer. We used the tram a lot with many stops to Burleigh Heads. So convenient. Thanks Zoe.

LaurieSeptember 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

We loved our stay at this apartment, it had everything we needed and more. It felt like a home away from home. Location was excellent, across the road to the beach, 5 minute walk to the tram. Just a couple of minutes away was a big choice of restaurants, bars and shops and in the other direction a lovely Cafe. An added extra of having binoculars in the apartment was fantastic as we used these to watch the whales. They weren't close to shore but having the binoculars brought us a closer view. Highly recommend.

LouiseJuly 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

We loved our stay. It was so comfortable, the bed was great and the entire apartment was beautiful. It was a lot bigger than we were expecting. We spent hours in the morning and evening sitting on the balcony watching the swimmers and surfers, and the people walking around. just a greatcapartment in a great location. We will stay here again for sure!

SamApril 2026 · Airbnb
★★★★★

Zoe’s apartment was just fabulous for my 3 night stay. North east aspect with views of the beach, beautiful natural light and the sound of the ocean. The decor gives it the feel of a homely beach house. Large very cozy sofa with a massive TV for flicks after dark. The king bed was really comfortable too.

AlexSeptember 2025 · Airbnb
★★★★★

Athena had a “staying at a friend/ family guest retreat” feel. Loved the styling!! The apartment is in a great location, it was clean, bed was comfortable and what an incredible view! Check in and check out was super easy, Zoe was very responsive and friendly.

MelanieSeptember 2025 · Airbnb
★★★★★

A wonderful little apartment that looks out over the ocean from the third-floor. At this level, it feels safe, being sufficiently above the street level, whilst still remaining close enough to feel connected to the Esplanade strip. The availability of a secure parking space was a bonus as was the close proximity to the centre of Surfers Paradise, with its shops, restaurants, bars and, of course, the beach. The unit is spacious enough for two people; however, the view is the real hero of this rental. Much spare time was spent on the balcony during our stay, simply enjoying the vista that presents itself from that vantage point. Each night we chose to leave the balcony door open, in order to listen to the waves crash upon the shore and, we found it to be a most relaxing way to drift off to sleep.

Scott And JulieMay 2025 · Airbnb
★★★★★

This is my second time staying here and it’s just perfect. It is in an ideal location, close enough to all the amenities without all the noise. A stones throw from the beach and the perfect place to see the sun rise. The pool area is lovely and attaches sun for most of the day. The apartment is spotless, decorated to the highest level and I really felt at home here. The apartment ha la everything you could possibly need, with all the mod cons. Will be staying here again.

SarahMarch 2026 · Airbnb
Read all 56 reviews on Airbnb

Reviews are copied word for word from Airbnb, with first names as shown there. Updated 4 October 2026.

Book your stay

Same apartment. Your choice of where to book.

Athena is listed on four sites, all with the same host. Choose the one you trust, or compare prices for your dates.

Tip: add your dates in Plan your stay and each button below opens with them already filled in.

Book direct with Zoe

Book on Zoe Hosts’ own booking site, straight with the host who looks after the apartment.

  • The same apartment and host
  • Booked direct with Zoe Hosts
  • Live availability and prices
Book direct

Booking.com

Listed on Booking.com as “Oceanfront 1 BR Athena by the Sea”, managed by Zoe.

  • Rated “Exceptional” (2 reviews)
  • Use your Booking.com account
  • The same apartment and host
Booking.com

Expedia

Prefer Expedia? It’s listed as “Absolute Beachfront – Athena by the Sea”, handled through Expedia’s partner Vrbo.

  • Rated 10/10 “Exceptional” (52 external reviews)
  • Use your Expedia account
  • Managed through Vrbo
Expedia

What’s on

The Gold Coast calendar

Big events in and around Surfers Paradise. Add your dates in Plan your stay and anything on during your visit is highlighted.

October 2026

Event Your stay
Tap a date to see what’s on.
1Oct 2026

BLEACH* Festival

1–11 Oct 2026 · HOTA, Bundall

The Gold Coast’s arts festival: performance, installations and community works around the HOTA precinct.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
23Oct 2026

Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500

23–25 Oct 2026 · Surfers Paradise street circuit

Supercars race on the streets of Surfers Paradise. Expect road closures and engine noise near The Esplanade, and plenty of atmosphere.

Right on your doorstep: expect crowds, noise and road closures.

Event details
21Nov 2026

Schoolies Week

21–27 Nov 2026 · Surfers Paradise

School leavers celebrate in Surfers Paradise, with a Safer Schoolies zone on the beach and extra patrols.

Heads up: Surfers Paradise is busy and lively this week.

Event details
31Dec 2026

New Year’s Eve fireworks

Thu 31 Dec 2026 · Surfers Paradise foreshore

Free fireworks over the beach, traditionally at 8pm and midnight. Check times closer to the night.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
6Jan 2027

Magic Millions Carnival

6–18 Jan 2027 · Gold Coast

Summer racing carnival with yearling sales, polo and showjumping on the Broadwater. Dates as published; confirm on the official site.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
17Feb 2027

Gold Coast Open (surfing)

17–21 Feb 2027 · Burleigh Heads

Five days of pro surfing at Burleigh Heads, with live music and skating. The G:Link tram runs all the way to Burleigh.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
20Mar 2027

Gold Coast T100 Triathlon

20–21 Mar 2027 · Surfers Paradise

World-class triathletes race through Surfers Paradise, plus a 10km fun run.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
18Apr 2027

Gold Coast Running Festival

Sun 18 Apr 2027 · Robina

Closed-road running and walking events for all levels.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
9Jun 2027

Cooly Rocks On

9–13 Jun 2027 · Coolangatta

Retro cars, rock ’n’ roll and vintage style take over Coolangatta.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
3Jul 2027

Gold Coast Marathon

3–4 Jul 2027 · Gold Coast

The coast’s biggest running weekend, with the course along the beachfront.

This is on during your dates.

Event details
—TBC

Gold Coast Film Festival

Late April – early May 2027 (dates to be confirmed)

Films, premieres and talks at HOTA.

More info
—TBC

Blues on Broadbeach

Usually May (2027 dates to be confirmed)

Free blues festival in Broadbeach, a short tram ride south.

More info
—TBC

Whale watching season

Roughly June to October/November

Humpbacks pass the coast on their migration. Guests have spotted them from the balcony.

More info

Weekly markets

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets

Wed, Fri & Sat, 4–9pm (check seasonal dates)

On The Esplanade near Cavill Avenue: handmade goods and live music.

Details

Miami Marketta

Wed–Sat from 5pm

Street food and live music at Miami.

Details

HOTA Farmers & Artisan Market

Sundays, 6–11:30am

Local produce by the lake at HOTA.

Details

Carrara Markets

Sat & Sun, 8am–3pm

300+ stalls, free entry and parking.

Details

Dates are taken from each event’s official listing and are checked every month. Always confirm with the organiser before you travel.

Surfers Paradise guide

Step out the door and explore

Restaurants within a short stroll, the beach across the road, and the theme parks and hinterland a short drive away.

Surfers Paradise beach

Across the road

The beach

Patrolled sand right in front of the Olympus, plus the beachfront path for morning walks and e-bike rides.

Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise

Short walk

Cavill Avenue

The heart of Surfers: shops, bars, Ripley’s and the beachfront night markets.

Theme park rollercoaster

Short drive

Theme parks

Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild and Dreamworld are all within easy reach.

Open the full Surfers Paradise guide
Looking straight down on Surfers Paradise beach, the foreshore and The Esplanade

Where you’ll be

On The Esplanade, right on the beach

The Olympus · 60 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

  • Surfers Paradise beachAcross the road
  • Cypress Avenue G:Link tram stopAbout 3 min walk
  • Gold Coast Airport (OOL)About 30 min by car
  • Brisbane AirportAbout 80 min by car
  • Parking1 secure space · 1.8m clearance
Open in Google Maps

Good to know

Questions, answered

Where should I book?

Wherever you’re most comfortable. It’s the same apartment and the same host on Airbnb, Zoe Hosts’ own booking site, Booking.com and Expedia. Prices and fees can differ between sites, so pick your dates above and compare them all in a couple of clicks.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 3:00pm and check-out is by 10:00am.

How many people does it sleep?

Two guests, in one king bed. A travel cot is listed with the apartment; ask Zoe when you book if you need it.

Is there parking?

Yes, one secure undercover car space is included. The garage clearance is 1.8m, so check your vehicle height (roof racks and vans may not fit).

How close is the beach?

The Olympus sits on The Esplanade, directly across the road from Surfers Paradise beach. Airbnb lists it as “On the beach”.

Is the pool heated?

Yes. The building has a heated swimming pool with a shower block, a tennis court and a communal BBQ area.

How do I get around without a car?

The Cypress Avenue G:Link tram stop is about a 3-minute walk. The tram runs along the coast to Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Burleigh Heads and north to Southport and the Broadwater.

Can I smoke? Are parties or pets OK?

There is no smoking indoors or in common areas; smoking is only permitted on the private balcony. No parties or events, and no pets. Quiet time is 9pm to 7am.

Are there big events nearby I should know about?

Surfers Paradise is the centre of the action. The Gold Coast 500 Supercars race (October) and Schoolies Week (late November) bring crowds and noise. The What’s on calendar above flags any events during your dates.

Are there security cameras?

There are exterior security cameras on the property (not inside the apartment).

Who looks after the apartment?

Athena is hosted and managed by Zoe of Zoe Hosts, a Gold Coast property manager with 5 years of hosting and over 4,000 Airbnb reviews, who usually replies within an hour.

The ocean is waiting.

Pick your dates and book wherever suits you: Airbnb, direct with Zoe, Booking.com or Expedia.