Beach cleaner's unique view of Gold Coast's X-rated nightlife

At 6.30am, Noel Gregson is about to end his shift.

While we've been asleep, the "sandman" has been at work, cleaning the Gold Coast's beaches from Snapper to the Spit.

"There is about 37 kilometres of Gold Coast beaches that I look after every night," he told 9News.

Under the cover of darkness, onboard his trusty tractor, Noel is witness to the quirks of the Gold Coast.

He admits some of them are a little X-rated.

"A lot of skinny dippers around 3 o'clock in the morning," he said.

From his tractor, Noel can gauge the city's ebbs and flows by the quantity of trash and treasure he collects along the away, including valuable jewellery, mobile phones and wallets.

Anything of value goes straight to police, but everything else is destined for the bin.

"Hundreds of pairs of thongs, to towels, bottles cans, anything people use I find," he said. "I've seen it all and it doesn't faze me one little bit."

It's certainly not a job for the faint of heart but it's one he wouldn't trade - not even for a good night's sleep.

"I absolutely adore it," Noel said.