parkrun Gold Coast: Every Course Compared, from Beach to Mountain
Published 26 October 2026
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Gold Coast has a parkrun for every taste: oceanfront paths, lake loops, parkland wetlands and a hilly mountain course in the hinterland. Every one is a free, timed 5k held every Saturday morning, and you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or just watch.
Below is every Gold Coast parkrun (plus one just over the border at Kingscliff), with start times and course details from each event's official page. Information was checked in October 2026; always confirm on the event page before you go, as courses and times can change.
How parkrun works (the 60-second version)
- It's free. You register once and get a personal barcode.
- Bring your barcode. Events such as Main Beach run a "No barcode, No result" policy. Without a scannable barcode you can still take part, but you won't get a time.
- It's 5k, every Saturday. Most Gold Coast events start at 7:00am.
- Walkers are welcome. In parkrun's own words, it's a community event "where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate".
- Juniors have their own event. junior parkrun is a 2k for 4–14 year olds and their families, held on Sunday mornings.
- Dogs: you're welcome to take part with one dog by your side, within reach at all times on a short, handheld lead. You can't run with a pram and a dog at the same time.
There are currently 558 parkrun events around Australia, according to parkrun Australia, so you can use the same barcode anywhere you travel.
Every Gold Coast parkrun at a glance
| parkrun | Start location | Start time | Course style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Beach | Hollindale Park, Seaworld Drive (about 300 m north of Southport SLSC) | 7:00am | Out-and-back with a loop: bushland out, ocean views home | A classic Goldy beachfront 5k |
| Kirra | Gilltrap Park, about 150 m south of North Kirra SLSC | 7:00am | Beachfront out-and-back toward Bilinga SLSC | Southern Gold Coast locals |
| Surfers Paradise | HOTA – Home of the Arts, Bundall Road | 7:00am | 2 laps around the Evandale Lake precinct and Green Bridge | Art, river and lake views |
| Broadbeach Waters | Monaco Street (behind the PCYC) | 7:00am | Waterway paths and parkland, with a second loop | Shaded, central paths |
| Varsity Lakes | Sports House, 337 Christine Ave | 7:00am | Mainly flat, out-and-back along Lake Orr | A gentle, flat lake course |
| Greenheart Robina Parklands | Stadium Drive, Robina | 7:00am | 2 laps of the Parklands paths | Plenty of toilets and space |
| Mudgeeraba | Darcy Doyle Park, Somerset Drive | 7:00am | Mainly flat, winding footpaths | A suburban, community feel |
| Paradise Point | Esplanade Rd, Paradise Point | 7:00am | Flat out-and-back along the foreshore and boardwalk | Water views on the northern Gold Coast |
| Coomera | Tallowwood Park, Highland Reserve, Rosevalley Drive | 7:00am | 2 × 2.5 km circuits around a lake | Northern growth corridor |
| Gainsborough Parklands | Kosciuszko Circuit, Pimpama | 7:00am | 2 flat laps, mostly concrete with wooden bridges | Prams and dogs (listed as friendly) |
| Tamborine Mountain | Tamborine Mountain Sports Complex, Long Road | 7:00am | 2 undulating laps with bush trails and uphill sections | A tougher hinterland challenge |
| Kingscliff (NSW) | Outside Salt Bar, SALT Village, Kingscliff | 8:00am (NSW time) | Flat out-and-back beside the ocean | Tweed Coast visitors |
Source: each event's official parkrun page, checked 25 October 2026. Kingscliff is in NSW, so its 8:00am start is NSW time. During daylight saving, that's 7:00am Queensland time. Always check the event page before you travel.
The beach courses
Main Beach parkrun
Main Beach is the quintessential Gold Coast parkrun. The course heads north through bushland on the way out and comes home with ocean views. The event page says it's very well signposted with marshals at key spots. There are toilets about 200 m south of the start at the Main Beach Pavilion, three more along the course, and a water tap at the start. Parking can be limited, so arrive early.
Kirra parkrun
Kirra runs north along the beachfront toward Bilinga SLSC, turns, and runs about 500 m past the start before a second turnaround. Buses run along Golden Four Drive and Marine Parade, close to the start.
Kingscliff parkrun (just over the border)
A flat, fast out-and-back alongside the ocean through SALT and Seaside toward Casuarina. The course page describes it as suitable for walkers, wheelchairs, prams and dogs, with easy parking and toilets at the start.
The lake and parkland courses
Varsity Lakes, Coomera, Gainsborough Parklands and Greenheart Robina are all flat or mostly flat. That makes them good choices for a first parkrun, a pram or a personal best. Surfers Paradise loops around Evandale Lake behind HOTA, and Broadbeach Waters follows shaded waterway paths. Paradise Point combines foreshore paths and boardwalk with water views.
The hinterland course: Tamborine Mountain
If you'd rather earn your coffee, Tamborine Mountain is the Gold Coast's only hinterland parkrun. The event page describes it as "a beautiful undulating course with a mixture of bush trails, grass paths and footpaths", with two laps and challenging uphill sections. There's parking, water, change rooms, showers and toilets on site, but no public transport.
Make a morning of it: after your 5k, walk the Witches Falls circuit or the Curtis Falls track in Tamborine National Park.
First-timer tips
- Register and print or save your barcode before Saturday. You only register once.
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early to park, find the start and settle in.
- Start toward the back if you're walking, and keep left on shared paths.
- Stay for coffee. Many events have a regular post-parkrun café. Mudgeeraba, for example, names its spot on the course page.
- Volunteer occasionally. parkrun is run by volunteers, and volunteering helps keep events free.
Gold Coast run clubs and other ways to stay active
parkrun is just one part of the Gold Coast's running and walking scene. If you're after a weekday social run, many local running shops, surf clubs and community groups run their own run clubs. Check their social channels for current times.
Not a runner? Pair your Saturday 5k with a weekend trail. Active Quests turns walks like the Burleigh Head National Park trail and Tallebudgera Creek walk into GPS check-in quests where you earn ACTIVE Coins at each finish. Browse all quests.
Related guides
- How Many Steps a Day? Australia's New 7,000 Target
- Australian Physical Activity Guidelines 2026, Explained
- Benefits of Walking: 9 Evidence-Backed Reasons to Walk
Want to swap the parkrun loop for a bush track? Browse the Gold Coast walks and hiking trails hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many parkruns are on the Gold Coast?
There are 11 parkrun events on the Gold Coast and hinterland: Main Beach, Kirra, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach Waters, Varsity Lakes, Greenheart Robina Parklands, Mudgeeraba, Paradise Point, Coomera, Gainsborough Parklands and Tamborine Mountain. Kingscliff is just over the border in NSW.
What time does parkrun start on the Gold Coast?
Gold Coast parkruns start at 7:00am every Saturday. Kingscliff, in NSW, starts at 8:00am NSW time.
Is parkrun free?
Yes. parkrun is free. You register once and bring your personal barcode to each event to get a time.
Can I walk parkrun?
Yes. parkrun describes itself as a community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Which Gold Coast parkrun is the flattest?
Several courses are described as flat or mainly flat on their official pages, including Varsity Lakes, Gainsborough Parklands, Paradise Point, Mudgeeraba and Kingscliff. Tamborine Mountain is the hilliest.
Can I bring my dog to parkrun?
Yes. You can take part with one dog on a short, handheld lead, kept within reach at all times. You can't run with a pram and a dog at the same time.
Tours & experiences near the Gold Coast
See you Saturday
Pick a course, print your barcode and turn up. After that, keep the momentum going through the week with a trail quest. Active Quests is on the App Store.