Gold Coast walks and hiking trails

The Gold Coast is more than beaches. Within an hour of the coast you can walk a rocky headland, flat city wetlands or World Heritage rainforest on the hinterland plateaus. This hub lists 22 Active Quests walks across the Gold Coast, its hinterland and the Tweed border. Each one has GPS checkpoints, a distance and a difficulty rating.

Best walking areas on the Gold Coast

• Burleigh Head National Park. The signature coastal walk. QPWS lists the Oceanview track at 1.2 km one way (Grade 2, about 30 minutes) around the headland from Tallebudgera Creek, and the Rainforest circuit at 2.3 km return (Grade 3) via Tumgun Lookout, a great spot for whale watching in winter and spring. Try the Burleigh Head National Park trail.
• Springbrook National Park. Waterfalls, lookouts and ancient forest on the plateau. The 4 km Twin Falls circuit passes behind two waterfalls, the 600 m Best of All lookout track looks over Wollumbin, and the Natural Bridge circuit leads to a waterfall cave lit by glow-worms at night. See Springbrook walks.
• Tamborine National Park. Short rainforest circuits on Tamborine Mountain, including the Sandy Creek circuit (2.6 km, Grade 4) and the Witches Falls circuit. See Tamborine things to do.
• Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area. The City of Gold Coast says this Ramsar-listed area covers more than 1,200 hectares of wetland, forest, salt marsh and mangroves, with over 16 km of flat trails. Start with the Melaleuca Boardwalk circuit or the Koala Track.
• Border Ranges and Tweed. Over the border in NSW, the Border Loop walk and Brindle Creek walking track explore Gondwana rainforest, and the Walk on Water track crosses mangroves at Tweed Heads.

Seasons, access and safety

• When to go. Autumn to spring is the most comfortable time for hinterland walks. Summers are hot and humid with storms, so start early and carry water. Waterfalls flow best after rain, but tracks get slippery.
• Getting to the hinterland. Springbrook is about 24 km from Mudgeeraba (M1 exit 79 or 80). Roads up the range are narrow and winding, so allow extra time.
• Opening hours. Coombabah Lakelands gates are open 6am to 6pm daily, and there are no toilets or drinking water.
• Safety. Many hinterland tracks run near sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Keep to the track, supervise children and check Queensland park alerts before you go. At Springbrook, Purling Brook Falls is partly closed for upgrade works until 15 February 2028 (QPWS alert).
• Dogs. Dogs aren't allowed in Queensland national parks or in City conservation areas such as Coombabah Lakelands.

Planning a day out? Read our guides to Gold Coast hikes, Gold Coast waterfall walks, the Twin Falls circuit at Springbrook and Border Ranges National Park.