Nature based recreation
The natural areas of the Gold Coast provide numerous sustainable recreational opportunities such as bushwalking, fishing, kayaking, bird watching, mountain biking and horse riding.
Whether you're a birdwatcher, nature lover, recreational walker or serious hiker, there's an experience to suit everyone that will enrich the mind, body and soul. Be active and explore the beauty of these areas - enjoy a bush walk or picnic in one of our reserves.
Get your kids active, exploring and experiencing nature today. There are loads of activities for kids on the coast to reconnect with nature and get them back into the green. Check out our NaturallyGC program and visit one of our parks today or visit the Nature Play QLD website.
You can view our Nature Based Recreational Plan to find out more about our recreational areas.
Use our interactive nature trails map or the links below to select and find trails for the activity you're interested in, including bushwalking, mountain bike riding, horse riding, picnics and scenic lookouts.
Parks to bushwalk
Bushwalking tracks provide a great way to explore the beauty of the Gold Coast's natural environment while being active and healthy. Why not try it today and explore some of our parks.
Parks for birdwatching
A new brochure 'Bird places of the Gold Coast' has been produced in conjunction with Birds Queensland, BirdLife Southern Queensland, Federation Walk, SEQ Catchments, National Trust Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and City of Gold Coast.
Download the brochure from birdsqueensland.org.au
Parks for mountain biking and cycling
The Gold Coast has a varied range of natural area mountain bike riding and cycling trails. From the beginner to the advanced, check out some of our local parks suitable for mountain biking and cycling.
Natural area parks for horse riding
A number of the City’s hinterland reserves and surrounding semi-rural areas offer trails for use by horse riders, and there are many other informal trails and horse riding destinations across the south east. Check out some of our local parks for horse riding.
Natural area kayaking
The Gold Coast’s Broadwater and many tidal and freshwater waterways provide a variety of opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing from kayaks. Read more about the Gold Coast's natural areas for kayaking.
Parks for nature picnics
The Gold Coast’s natural areas provide a range of picnicking opportunities from local suburban and rural bushland reserves to the more iconic picnic areas such as Springbrook, Lower Beechmont, Numinbah Valley and the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Valleys.
Dog exercise areas are provided by City of Gold Coast for dog owners. View our Dog exercise areas page for more information.
For other recreational opportunities across the Gold Coast visit Our natural environment page.
Related information
- Gold Coast nature trails (bushwalking, mountain biking, horse riding, and more)
- Gold Coast parks
- Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
- Heritage walks and trails
- Our natural environment
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