Southport Spit, aka the Spit, separates Southport Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean, and while home to attractions such as Sea World, and top-class hotels like the Palazzo Versace and Sheraton Mirage, it is visited by many for its natural beauty and quiet parks. These include Hollingdale Park, ideal for picnics and with a kids’ playground; Philip Park, a popular spot for both wedding ceremonies and gay cruising; and Doug Jennings Park, a great place for fishing, swimming and other water sports, which sometimes plays host to music festivals.

The municipality recently started some ambitious redevelopment projects, not all popular with the local community, but improvements we can approve of include better roads, replanting programmes, and the addition of more toilets, showers, shelters and barbecue areas. So if you’re looking for a quiet spot, and to see some pristine nature before more resorts move in, why not pack a lunch and a rod, and take a trip to the Spit.