One of the newest suburbs on the Gold Coast, Merrimac is situated 78.5 kilometres southeast of Brisbane and 9.6 kilometres southwest of Gold Coast central business district. It is bordered by the suburbs of Clear Island to the west, Carrara to the north and Robina to the South. The Pacific Motorway separates it from the suburb of Tallai to the east. Due to its proximity to the suburbs of Broadbeach Waters, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise, Merrimac has been attracting potential new homeowners, families and holiday makers. This has also led to more housing and building projects, with new shopping centres, restaurants, stores and residential areas under way.