Best Gold Coast hikes and bushwalks

Lace up your boots and head out on an adventure, big or small, with these Gold Coast bush walks.

The Gold Coast tends to conjure images of glitzy high rises, vibrant shopping centres, and an energising nightlife, but slip away from the golden beach towns and head west to uncover a whole new side to the region.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is home to two national parks from the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia area — Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park, as well as other scenic locations like Tamborine Mountain and Burleigh Head National Park.

Ready to explore by foot? Here are nine of the best Gold Coast hikes.

Easy hikes on the Gold Coast

If you’re craving a hit of fresh air and the opportunity to stretch your legs with a green backdrop, a short five-kilometre or less hike that can be completed in no more than an hour is for you.

1. O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk

a couple watching the sunrise at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat — Catch the sunrise at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Distance: 800 metres return
Time: 30 minutes

Nestled high above the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park is the free O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk , where you can stroll through a canopy of trees and observe wildlife and birds in the rainforest at close range. Starting from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, the walk consists of nine suspension bridges up to 16 metres above ground. Experience at your own leisure.

2. Natural Bridge Circuit

a cold spring at Natural Bridge Springbrook National Park — Dip your toes in the cold spring on the way. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Distance: One-kilometre return

Time: 30 minutes

In the Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park , you’ll find the Natural Bridge Circuit : a sealed track taking you through the forest, across Cave Creek, and into the picturesque rock cave formation to witness the waterfall falling from above. Hot tip: with long sets of stairs, it’s easier to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction.

Natural Bridge is very popular with walkers and bird lovers during the day. At night, the cave comes alive with the tiny green lights of thousands of nocturnal glow-worms, and the silent wings of microbats.

3. Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley

Distance: 1.6-kilometre return

Time: One hour

No matter your age or ability, the walk to Cougal Cascades is an easy feat following a bitumen path alongside a series of rock pools and small waterfalls.

Starting from the car park, the route is sheltered by abundant greenery, and even families with prams or assisted wheelchair users can access the falls and the beautiful rainforest walk that leads there. More agile visitors who are longing for a cooling dip can clamber down to the swimming hole where the Cougal Cascades fall; otherwise, drink in the views from the wooden viewing platform.

Also part of Springbrook National Park, this subtropical rainforest is home to plenty of wildlife, including kookaburras, the eastern whipbird, and the land mullet (Australia’s largest skink). And those who choose to keep going past the cascades can survey the partially restored remains of a historic 1940s-era sawmill.

4. Burleigh Head Rainforest Circuit in Burleigh Head National Park

two people walking along Burleigh Head National Park — The walk gives way to peeks of the shoreline. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance: 2.3-kilometre return

Time: One hour

Aside from one steep section in the middle, the Rainforest Circuit in Burleigh Head National Park isn’t too demanding. And with the incredible views this Gold Coast hiking trail promises, you’d be a fool to miss it.

A lush green headland blanketed in tussock grassland, pandanus groves, eucalypt forest, and coastal heath, the dense greenery gives way to peeks of the sweeping sugar-white stretch of shoreline, lapped by turquoise waters, that seem to unfurl as far as the eye can see. And it’s not just the flora that’s a drawcard to this little pocket of coastline: look up and you might spy white-bellied sea eagles, or look out to the ocean and you may see whales splashing around offshore come winter or spring.

Moderate hikes on the Gold Coast

Push yourself a little further on these slightly more challenging walking tracks between five and 10 kilometres that can be done in a half-day.

1. Caves Track

an aerial view of the mountains at Binna Burra — Admire scenic mountain views from the top of Binna Burra. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Distance: Seven-kilometre return

Time: 2.5 hours

For excellent views across the Darlington Range and down into Coomera Valley, hit the Caves Track in the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park. From the Binna Burra lower day-use area , walk through the open eucalypt forest and stop at the seat commemorating the efforts of Robert Collins to protect this beautiful landscape. You might even see koalas sitting sleepily in the trees. Return to your starting point via the same track, as returning via the bitumen road is not recommended.

2. Box Forest Circuit

Distance: 10.9-kilometre return

Time: Four hours

Starting from the Border Track in Lamington National Park, branch off onto the Box Forest Circuit . Heading anticlockwise, pass through the lush subtropical rainforest along Canungra Creek and stop for lunch at Box Log Falls or Picnic Rock. Return the way you came or walk the whole circuit and be rewarded with views of many other majestic waterfalls such as Darragumai Falls and Yanbacoochie Falls.

Difficult hikes on the Gold Coast

For experienced hikers who want to spend a day or more out in nature and you’ve got the stamina to walk over 10 kilometres, add these epic long hikes to your to-do list.

1. Toolona Creek Circuit

Distance: 16.3-kilometre return

Time: Six hours

If you’re keen to expand on the moderate Box Forest Circuit, you can keep going along the beautiful loop trail to Toolona Creek passing many more waterfalls. After descending to Picnic Rock (where you should definitely enjoy a swim!) detour out to Elabana Falls for that perfect photo and continue hiking to Toolona Lookout, a must-stop location in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Plan to spend around six hours on this loop.

2. Stinson Retrace

Distance: 35 kilometres

Time: 12 hours

Those with a sense of adventure will fall for the Stinson Walk, which leads hikers through the thick of Lamington National Park’s subtropical rainforest. The track promises historical intrigue and challenging terrain in equal measure and traces the movements of one of the most famous rescue missions in Australia, featuring a plane crash site with wreckage. In 1937, a Stinson airliner crashed into the mountainside and was discovered by local man Bernard O’Reilly around a week later; he helped to locate the two remaining survivors, and the graves commemorating the four men who lost their lives remain here.

Beyond the walk’s morbid history, there’s also plenty of fauna and flora to see here: walking stick palms festooned with pillar box red berries, towering ghost gums, and prickly lawyer vines. En route, you may even chance upon bowerbirds, snakes, and, if you’re lucky, a red-necked pademelon.

Among the region’s lesser taken routes, this hike can be completed within one day if you set off before dawn, but it’s advisable to plan it as an overnighter if you can, setting up camp at one of several clearings.

Throughout the year, the folks at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat organise guided walks of the Stinson Retrace; keep your eyes on its events page for further details of upcoming opportunities.

3. Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk

Hike through the thick of Lamington National Park’s subtropical rainforest.

Distance: 54 kilometres one way

Time: Three days

Only the most committed hikers and bushwalkers need to apply for this multi-day hike . Starting at the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park and ending at The Settlement camping area in Springbrook National Park, this grade four track links two of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia via the Numinbah Valley and traverses a number of different habitats.

Set aside at least three days to cover the distance and take in the beautiful scenery. You’ll weave through subtropical and temperate rainforests, spot wildflowers galore come spring, eye strangler figs wrapped around trees, and cross burbling streams.

How to prepare for a bushwalk on the Gold Coast

To enjoy a safe and comfortable hike on the Gold Coast, keep in mind it can get extremely warm and humid here, so make sure to pack the essentials – a hat, sunblock, and plenty of water. Other additions include something to eat, a basic first aid box, sturdy non-slip shoes, a spare pair of socks, comfortable clothing, and a waterproof jacket in case the weather changes.

It’s also important to tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back – just in case you get lost or injured.

These walks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to hiking on the Gold Coast. Once you’ve got a taste for the outdoors here, you’ll be hooked.

For more great travel tips and itineraries, read our ultimate guide to Gold Coast holidays.

Original article written by Chloe Cann with updates by Jemma Fletcher

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Stunning hikes on the Gold Coast for all fitness levels