banner image
Gold Coast Nature Trails

The City of Gold Coast has more than 850 nature reserves which are open for everyone to enjoy sustainable nature based recreation.

National Relay Service for the hearing impaired Language translation services

Gold Coast nature trails

Park alert

Due to the ongoing wildfire risk a number of the City's Natural area parks are temporarily closed until declared safe. The list of park closures is subject to change and the current closures can be found below.

Please observe all signage, barriers and directions from rangers, and do not enter closed areas.

As a general advice we also advise caution within all of the City's natural area parks given the current level of fire danger. Please reconsider the need to be within a park until conditions improve.

The current closures include:

  • Apple Tree Park, Springbrook
  • Austinville Conservation Area (Mudgeeraba Creek section), Austinville
  • Bally Mountain Conservation Area, Bonogin / Tallebudgera Valley
  • Bonogin Conservation Area, Bonogin
  • Cloverside Park, Maudsland
  • Crystal Creek Reserve, Willowvale
  • Eagle Heights Conservation Area (including Old Tambo Mountain Bike Trail), Wongawallan/Guanaba
  • Galt Road Park, Willowvale
  • Gerrale Drive Reserve, Willowvale
  • Gladrose Reserve, Wongawallan
  • Glossy Black Reserve, Reedy Creek
  • Kirribili Park, Gilston
  • Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Lower Beechmont / Clagiraba
  • Match Heads Reserve, Reedy Creek
  • Maudsland Ridge Reserve, Maudsland
  • Mount Nathan Reserve, Mount Nathan
  • Numinbah Conservation Area, Numinbah Valley
  • Observatory Park, Reedy Creek
  • Pocket Road Conservation Area, Numinbah Valley
  • The Cream Track, Springbrook / Tallebudgera Valley
  • The Grange Environmental Park, Wongawallan
  • Tourmaline Reserve, Bonogin
  • Upper Ormeau Conservation Area, Kingsholme
  • Upper Mudgeeraba Conservation Area, Mudgeeraba/Bonogin
  • Wongawallan Conservation Area
Gold Coast nature trails

There are endless opportunities to connect and immerse yourself in nature right on our doorstep, with 691 kilometres of recreational trail and 35,000 hectares of bushland reserves, Conservation Areas and National Parks to enjoy across the City.

Whether you like to bushwalk, trail run, bird watch, photograph, picnic, kayak or just relax in nature there is something for you.

Share your naturally Gold Coast experience on social media using #NaturallyGC.

Experience our nature trails in 360 degree vision

Immerse yourself in the surroundings of some of our top Gold Coast nature trails by taking a 360 degree virtual video tour taking in the sights and sounds along the way.

Simply swipe or rotate your phone or utilise your mouse to rotate on your desktop.

Please note: The 360 degree functionality will not work in Internet Explorer v11 and below on desktop computers. Please use an alternate browser. Also the 360 degree functionality will only work through the YouTube app on mobile devices. Please copy the link address and paste directly into the app.

Get up close to waterfalls and experience other Gold Coast natural attractions and trails with Google Trekker on street view.

Download our nature trails maps

The City's nature trails maps reveal fabulous trails on City land for horse riding, mountain biking, bushwalking and much more. If you know what map you are looking for, simply click on the link below to download the PDF file. If not, the maps are available by clicking the relevant pins on the Google map below. This means that you can pan around, zoom in and download maps in the area of interest to you.

Apple Tree Park - Springbrook

Line map (PDF 183kb)
Terrain map (PDF 158kb)

Bally Mountain Conservation Area - Bonogin

Terrain map (PDF 1.66mb)

Batten Recreational Parklands - Nerang Riverwalk

Line map (PDF 206kb)
Terrain map (PDF 638kb)

Beree-Badalla Reserve - Palm Beach

Line map (PDF 259kb)
Terrain map (PDF 645kb)

Burleigh Ridge Park - Burleigh Heads

Line map (PDF 183kb)
Terrain map (PDF 184kb)

Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

Line map (PDF 158kb)
Terrain map (PDF 567kb)

Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area - Arundel section

Line map (PDF 157kb)
Terrain map (PDF 667kb)

Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve - Elanora

Line map (PDF 226kb)
Terrain map (PDF 1.74mb)

Elanora Wetlands Reserve

Line map (PDF 158kb)
Terrain map (PDF 182kb)

Federation Walk Coastal Reserve - Main Beach

Line map (PDF 221kb)
Terrain map (PDF 140kb)

Glossy Black Reserve

Terrain map (PDF 1.7mb)
Mountain bike trail map (PDF 702kb)

Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens - Benowa

Line map (PDF 245kb)
Terrain map (PDF 186kb)

Hidden Valley Reserve - Tugun

Line map (PDF 210kb)
Terrain map (PDF 373kb)

Hinterland Regional Park - Mudgeeraba

Line map (PDF 252kb)
Terrain map (PDF 178kb)

Jabiru Island Park - Paradise Point

Line map (PDF 200kb)
Terrain map (PDF 138kb)

Kamholtz Family Park - Nerang Riverwalk

Line map (PDF 206kb)
Terrain map (PDF 638kb)

Lower Beechmont Conservation Area - Barcoo Court to Belliss Road Trail

Terrain map (PDF 538kb)

Lower Beechmont Conservation Area - Clagiraba Creek Trail

Terrain map (PDF 538kb)

Lower Beechmont Conservation Area - Eastern Section

Terrain map (PDF 584kb)

Lower Beechmont Conservation Area - Freemans Road Section

Terrain map (PDF 508kb)

Miami Bushland Reserve - Miami

Line map (PDF 141kb)
Terrain map (PDF 159kb)

Swift Park - Nerang Riverwalk

Line map (PDF 198kb)
Terrain map (PDF 184kb)

Old Tambo Mountain Bike Trail - Wongawallan

Line map (PDF 161kb)
Terrain map (PDF 177kb)

Pocket Road Conservation Area - Numinbah Valley

Terrain map (PDF 303kb)

Phil Hill Environmental Park - Paradise Point

Line map (PDF 200kb)
Terrain map (PDF 138kb)

Rockview Public Park - Palm Beach

Line map (PDF 259kb)
Terrain map (PDF 645kb)

Salk Oval Parklands

Line map (PDF 259kb)
Terrain map (PDF 645kb)

Schuster Park - Peninsula trail - Tallebudgera

Line map (PDF 196kb)
Terrain map (PDF 176kb)

Tarrabora Reserve - Palm Beach

Line map (PDF 259kb)
Terrain map (PDF 645kb)

Toolona Park - Tugun

Line map (PDF 210kb)
Terrain map (PDF 192kb)

Tugun Hill Conservation Area

Line map (PDF 210kb)
Terrain map (PDF 192kb)

Varsity Lakes Wetlands Reserve

Terrain map (PDF 341kb)

Upper Coomera Adventure Parklands

Line map (PDF 146kb)
Terrain map (PDF 161kb)

Upper Mudgeeraba Conservation Area

Terrain map (PDF 341kb)

Willowvale Recreational Trail

Line map (PDF 170kb)
Terrain map (PDF 180kb)

Wyangan Valley Park - Bonogin

Terrain map (PDF 360kb)

Key tips for visiting our nature areas

  • Give your bushwalking plan to a friend, relative or other reliable person in case you are injured or get lost. Ask them to contact the police if you don't return as planned.
  • Make sure the park you want to visit has walks suitable for your bushwalking experience and level of fitness.
  • Check the Bureau of Meteorology website for weather conditions, forecasts and warnings.
  • Always carry plenty of drinking water. Bushwalking is thirsty work.
  • Walk with a partner or in a group, never bushwalk alone.
  • Dress for the track conditions and weather.
  • Stick to existing tracks and trails
  • Leave the park as you found it and take your rubbish with you
 

Nature trail map

Spending time in nature has numerous physical and mental health benefits. You can find a natural area park near you by clicking on the pins to access information about nature trails, facilities, park features and the natural areas of the Gold Coast.

You can choose the activity you’re looking for by turning on that layer on the map. Click on the bushwalking, horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking, nature picnics and scenic lookouts icons. From here you can access details such as location, image galleries and further information about the park.

Filter the trail types by toggling the check boxes below.

 
 
Connect with nature

Connect with Nature

You can also download and view the City’s NaturallyGC program which will connect you to a range of free and low-cost nature activities from guided bushwalks, citizen science, tree planting, kids nature play, other City led environment initiatives, recreational opportunities and all things nature.

Visit Destination Gold Coast to find eco accommodation, nature tours, local green attractions and self-guided day trips. Or connect with nature with the help from a local with Localyokl nature experiences.

image of natural arch

Become a NaturallyGC member

If you are interested in connecting with and exploring the Gold Coast’s wonderful natural environment, become a NaturallyGC member and subscribe today.

You can also download and view our NaturallyGC program which will connect you to a range of free and low-cost nature activities from guided bushwalks, citizen science, tree planting, kids nature play, other City-led environment initiatives and all things nature.

Subscribe to NaturallyGC

Park tour group

Natural adventures to discover for kids

If you're after ideas for the best parks for a natural adventure and which are suitable for children, then check out our top ten natural adventures.

Learn more about our natural adventures

You can also request a Nature Play Passport from our NaturallyGC team by contacting namu@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, calling 07 5667 5972 or visiting Nature Play Queensland.

Visit the City's Nature Based Recreation Plan for more information about sustainable recreation in the City's nature reserves.

While there are many bushwalking and recreational opportunities throughout areas managed by the City, there are also other great opportunities to explore National Parks, including World Heritage listed rainforest areas managed by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The links below include information on National Parks, heritage walks, places to walk your dog - and more. This information is to help you explore the outstanding recreation opportunities available on the Gold Coast.

Related information

Jump to key information

Key information


View all →

ADVERTISEMENT

Top of page Top of page