Life's a beach on the Gold Coast

Go surfing on the stunning Gold Coast beaches. Photo: Tourism Australia

Get back to nature on the Gold Coast

Visit O'Reilly's and hike the Lamington national park. Photo: Tourism Australia

The Gold Coast hinterland is a bushwalker's paradise. Head off to O-Reilly’s Lamington National Park, Mount Tambourine or Springbrook National Park. Why not pack a picnic and explore the Gold Coast national parks with your family and friends, or join an organised tour.

• Mount Tamborine is one of the world’s oldest rainforests with lots of things to see and do. For an unforgettable experience view the Scenic Rim by hot air balloon. There are several walking circuits to choose from, with easy-graded tracks at Cedar Creek Falls, Palm Grove Rainforest, Sandy Creek (Knoll section), and Macdonald Rainforest circuits. For moderate-graded tracks go to Curtis Falls (Joalah section), Jenyns Falls (Palm Grove section), Witches Falls, Witches Chase and the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

• Visit Tamborine Mountain Botanical Gardens with themed gardens including the rose, Japanese, and cottage gardens.

• After dark, grab your torch and head to the Natural Bridge where a colony of luminous glow-worms have made themselves at home. During the summer months, fireflies and glowing mushrooms will also enchant you.
   

Do the Mount Tambourine gallery walk. Photo: Tourism Australia

• Doing a canopy walk is a must when you're visiting the Gold Coast Hinterland. The two canopy walks are the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk at Mount Tamborine and the O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk at Lamington National Park. Pack your camera and get a selfie on your skywalk. Check park alerts in case walking tracks are temporarily closed.

• Visit the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park with its ancient trees, cascading waterfalls and spectacular lookouts.  Set off on one of the many walking trails and maybe find a swimming hole along the way. Why not pack a picnic and take time to spot some wildlife. Be sure to explore the Purling Brook Falls, Goormoolahra Falls, Rainbow Falls, Canyon Lookout, Mount Cougal Cascades and Best of All Lookout.

• Take a hike through the Burleigh Heads National Park which is a haven for migrating birds such as ospreys and sea eagles. There's a Rainforest Circuit walking track that leads to Tumgun Lookout and incredible views. Another track leads you to the “secret” Echo Beach.
   

Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for your nature fix. Photo: Tourism & Events QLD

• If you want nature without the hiking, you must visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can hand feed the wild rainbow lorikeets, cuddle the koalas, and get up close to the kangaroos and wallabies. There's plenty of other native animals to see including crocodiles, dingoes, wombats, echidnas and emus.

• Head to Kirra Hill Lookout for gorgeous coastal views. Kirra Hill is easy to find with its iconic iron eagle. Kirra Hill is also the perfect place to spot a skydiver or two landing at Kirra beach. To arrange your own adrenaline-pumping experience, contact the team at Gold Coast Skydive, who are the only tandem skydiving company on the Gold Coast.

Safety note: Always stay on the walking trails, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return, take water, and check weather forecasts.

Gold Coast kid-friendly parks & playgrounds

Spin, run and swing in the many Gold Coast playgrounds.Photo: Anja at #helpinghands. Pixabay 

• Broadwater Parklands is more than your average playground. Whether it’s live music, arts and craft markets, festivals or group fitness sessions, you’re guaranteed to find something fun and exciting, for one and for all.

• Families just love Pacific Pines Central Park. It has swings galore, a suspension bridge, climbing nets, flying fox and more. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake or take time out to feed the ducks. 

• The Kurrawa Pratten Park - All Abilities Playground at Broadbeach. This fully fenced park offers children of all ages and abilities, a safe and interactive play environment with a Sandcastle Zone, Undersea Zone and Hill Zone.

• Take the kids to Treasure Island Playground which is at Palm Beach Parklands. The kids can run wild as they search for buried treasure, walk the plank and have a swashbuckling good time!

• The Cascade Gardens at Broadbeach have a children’s playground, water bird sanctuary and aboriginal culture and tropical rainforest walks.