Easy Gold Coast Walks For Kids, Parents and Grandparents by Danielle Wylie
If there is something most parents agree on, it’s that they wish their kids spent more time outdoors – you know, away from the iridescent glow of those hypnotising devices. So what’s the best way to compensate for little legs and littler attention spans?
Easy Gold Coast walks!
This year, our family made a conscious effort to schedule a day, usually Sunday, to get back to nature and see something new. It’s something I grew up doing, and I have been waiting for my kids to reach that perfect age for their induction to the great outdoors.
What is not to love about carefully choosing a walking stick, copying the bird noises, playing ‘who can spot the…’ and having a packed picnic lunch somewhere you’ve never been before?
Family Friendly Walking Trails
But where on earth do you start, I hear you ask?
Guys – we are spoilt for choices! Across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW we have an abundance of landscapes to choose from, and that’s the beauty – the kids will never get sick of your little outings if every hike looks different from the last.
Easy Gold Coast walks are everywhere. Dense rainforests, mountain peaks, coastal dunes, waterfalls, mangroves, caves systems, rivers, creeks and rock pools – take your pick!
Here’s a quick look at some of the family friendly walks we have at our fingertips:
Cougal Cascades Track
1.6kms return, Springbrook National Park QLD: An easygoing walk that follows Currumbin Creek through subtropical rainforest and eventually leads to the remnants of an old saw mill. There are plenty of descriptive plaques and swimming opportunities along the way.
Three sisters walking track
1.6kms return, Broken Head Nature Reserve NSW: A beautiful walk just south of Byron Bay through rainforest to the lookout at Kings Beach – a perfect spot to have a picnic and learn a little about the Indigenous stories and heritage of the land.
Purling Brook Falls Curcuit
4kms, Springbrook National Park QLD: A spectacular waterfall, if you can handle the 450 steps down to the bottom of the falls. Best experienced after rainfall. You can go behind the falls, but ensure children are well supervised as it changes direction quickly!
TARRABORA RESERVE & BEREE BADALLA BOARDWALK
2.4kms return, Palm Beach QLD: A laidback walk starting at Palm Beach parklands and winding through lowland coastal forest, then exploring the mangroves of Currumbin Creek via the boardwalk. There is also the option to continue to Currumbin Beach.
MINYON FALLS & THE BOGGY CREEK WALK
4kms return, Whian Whian State Conservation Area NSW: Starting at the spectacular Minyon Falls Lookout with a drop over 100m, then follow Repentance Creek north to Rummery Park campground for a picnic before returning.
FEDERATION WALK
3.5kms, Coastal Reserve, Main Beach QLD: Tucked away amongst the skyscrapers is this unique track, which navigates through coastal dunes, pockets of rainforest and open spaces. Also suitable for bike riding with bigger kids.
CAVES CIRCUIT
5kms, Lamington National Park QLD: You can avoid a steep climb by driving a little further along the trail and starting at the Binna Burra Lodge. The rainforest walk passes some large red cedars, and apart from the caves it has spectacular views of the Coomera Valley.
HERITAGE PARK TRAIL
2kms return, Brunswick Valley Heritage Park, Mullumbimby NSW: This simple walk follows the Brunswick River through a surprisingly unique collection of 326 different plant species, mostly labeled, some of which are endangered.
OCEANVIEW WALK & RAINFOREST CIRCUIT
4.6kms, Burleigh Head National Park QLD: Starting from the southern entrance along the Oceanview Walk you may spot a whale or two through the pandanus. Extend this walk by taking the Link Track to the Rainforest Circuit, returning via the Oceanview Track to cool off in the ocean at Palm Beach.
PALM GROVE CIRCUIT
2.6kms, Tambourine National Park QLD: An easygoing trail which will take you through huge groves of piccabeens and strangler figs. You can extend this walk by joining onto Jenyns Circuit (4.5kms), a slightly more challenging walk but with great views of Jenyn Falls.
So there you have it. There is no excuse, put on your hiking boots, grab your bug spray and head on out to the easy Gold Coast walks we have right on our doorstep. Enjoy!
Warrie Circuit walking guide
We love this detailed guide to walking the Warrie Circuit.
This article featured in Issue 28 of our printed magazine, published June 2018.
