Our region is bestowed with some of the best bushwalking trails in Australia - hundreds of kilometres of well-maintained tracks through some of the most beautiful country you could hope to see.
Three areas, the world Heritage-listed park Lamington National Park, Springbrook National Park and Mount Tamborine, offer a variety of tracks, some through rainforests, that are all within an hour's drive from the Coast.
At different times of the year ranger guided tours are held to give people a better understanding of our natural wonders.
The greatest collection of tracks is at Lamington - a total of 160km built in the 1930s - offering a variety of routes catering for those who may want a leisurely stroll or for super-fit trekkers who think nothing of a 22km walk through difficult country.
Binna Burra South
DEDICATED bushwalkers consider the 22km Border Track as one of life's privileges. Although there are tracks of similar length within the Binna Burra-Green Mountains walking system, few compare with the Border Track for pure beauty and outstanding views. One way of tackling this track is to start out from the Binna Burra kiosk and follow the trail south-southeast towards the Queensland-NSW border, curving west, then north to Green Mountains. more
Binna Burra North
MOUNTAIN climbers have Everest, bushwalkers have Binna Burra. Little more than a 30-minute drive west of Surfers Paradise are the best rainforest walking trails in Australia. Altogether, there are 160km of tracks winding along escarpment tops, down heavily forested ridges, past waterfalls, across scores of creeks and through thickets of palms on valley floors. more
Green Mountains
IT is not often that bushwalkers in the McPherson Ranges can experience the whole rainforest package in one circuit, but the Albert River circuit on the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park comes close. It's 21km - a comfortable 7-hour walk and includes some of the most impressive scenery in south-east Queensland. more
Tamborine Mountain
TAMBORINE Mountain is a perfect place to introduce youngsters to the joys of bushwalking. It has 12 tracks, none of them extending much more than 3km, and only a couple of them have steep grades. The magic of Tamborine tracks is in their variety. Giant figs said to be 500 years old, creeks dotted with moss-covered rocks, dark glades of palms, lyrebirds, wallabies and platypus can be experienced in the space of a few hours. more
Springbrook
SPRINGBROOK, arguably the best-loved rainforest plateau in the Gold Coast Hinterland, has only three lengthy walking tracks - Purling Brook Falls (4km), the Warrie circuit (17km) and Twin Falls circuit (4km, dissecting the Warrie circuit). All of them offer stunning scenery, waterfalls, beautiful creeks and quite spectacular rainforests and stands of eucalyptus. more
Mount Warning
IT is the icon of the Tweed district . . . and a handy place for bushwalkers to stretch their quadriceps. Mt Warning, the plug of Australia's mightiest extinct volcano rising out of the McPherson Ranges, has a fascinating track winding around its flanks, culminating in a breath-taking view from the top. Take at least three or four hours to do this one. more
Burleigh Heads National Park
WHERE can a bushwalker find a 4.3km track that winds through mangroves, traces a creek to its mouth, and encompasses a climb through rainforest overlooking the ocean? Situated right in the middle of the Gold Coast 27ha national park is a safe and easy track, skirting a beautiful stretch of the river teeming with bird and fish life . more
Mount Cougal
MOUNT Cougal, the shortest walk featured in our bushwalking series, is at the headwaters of Currumbin Creek. A mere 800 metres of sealed and safe track introduces visitors to one of the prettiest streams on the Gold Coast. On a hot day, plenty of clean sections of the creek fed by numerous waterfalls and rapids at Cougal's Cascades provide places to swim. more
Our region is bestowed with some of the best bushwalking trails in Australia
Follow these tips to stay safe and have an enjoyable visit:
a) Always check the Environmental Protection Agency's website for the latest park news and alerts.
b) Plan your trip carefully. Obviously it's best to start early to see the most wildlife. Starting out in mid-afternoon is not a good idea because any miscalculation or mishap may leave you caught out in the forest at night.
c) Don't try to cover 18km in five hours or rush from one scenic spot to another. Walking rapidly in rainforests is unwise, because of the danger of twisting an ankle or falling. Also keep an eye on the weather.
d) Stay properly hydrated. Drinking plenty of water keeps muscles supple and helps fight fatigue.Take your own water. Fresh water streams can be contaminated and cause diarrhoea.
e) Wear protective clothing, sunscreen, hat and insect repellent. Use boots that are waterproof, have ankle support and have flexible or semi-flexible soles. Also wear thick socks.
f) Stick to designated tracks and take a map if possible. Always let someone responsible know of your plans and when you expect to return in case you get lost.
g) Stay well back from cliff edges and waterfalls. Cliff edges may crumble and rocks near waterfalls may be slippery. Always stay behind safety fences to avoid tragedy.
h) Take a a lightweight prepacked first-aid kit, including a bandage, tweezers, adhesive tape and disinfectant.
i) Take wet weather gear. Note many parks are considerably colder than the temperature on the Gold Coast beach front and warm clothing may be needed. Make sure your camping equipment, vehicle and boat are in good working condition.
j) Don't feed or approach wild animals such as kangaroos, possums, goannas, snakes, cassowaries. Human food may be harmful to wild animals. Animals can also become aggressive towards people when fed.
k) Beware of bushfires. If there is a bushfire, follow the track to the nearest road, beach, lake or creek for shelter. If there are known bushfires in the region rescedule your bushwalk to another time.
l) Limit the valuables you take with you, do not leave valuables in parked cars.
m) Where possible take a mobile phone in case of emergency.
n) Accurate walking trail maps can be obtained from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service offices
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