Why would you spend your weekend staring at screens when you can be getting out exploring the great outdoors in one of the world’s most beautiful cities? From chilled out hangs to heart-pumping adventures, here are ten of our picks for outdoor activities on the Gold Coast (that don’t involve lying on a beach):
Swim under a waterfall
While many of our stunning bushwalking spots have waterfalls that are off limits for swimmers, there are still a handful around that you can jump into and cool off in after a bit of a trek. So be sure to check out Twin Falls and the Warringa Pool in Springbrook National Park, Cougal Cascades in Currumbin Valley, and Elabana Falls in Lamington National Park.
Fly high in a hot air balloon
Hot air balloon rides are available over the lush, green Gold Coast Hinterland. Kicking off just before sunrise, you and your loved ones can enjoy watching the stunnung lanscape come to life as the sun spills over the hills and valleys. You can even jazz things up with a champagne brekky. What a way to start the day, huh?
On your bike
Each neighbourhood in the Gold Coast has its own vibe, and bikes are a great way to check them out. With hundreds of kilometres of pathways connecting parks, beaches, main thoroughfares and nature reserves, you’ll never fall short of an excellent biking opportunity on the Gold Coast.
Try outdoor yoga or tai chi
Gold Coast’s Active and Healthy program runs free Tai Chi and free Yoga classes outdoors across a range of gorgoues locations across the city, includng Justins Park Burleigh, Firth Park Mudgeeraba, Paradise Point Parklands, Hollindale Park Main Beach and more. Just search the A&H calendar to find dates and locations that suit.
Take the TreeTop Challenge
Step outside your comfort zone and explore incredible Australian forests and iconic animals with one of the most extreme outdoor adventure parks in South-East Queensland. You can head up to Tamborine Mountain for Australia’s largest zipline attraction where you can experience the Canyon Flyer and the amazing High Wire Courses TreeTop Challenge and TreeTop Challenge Juniors (ages 3 to 7). Or head to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can zipline over crocodiles, dingoes, kangaroos and explore stunning coastal rainforest.
Meet some animals
Native wildlife abounds in Gold Coast’s wildlife parks – David Fleay Wildlife Park in West Burleigh lets you traipse through rainforest and is the only wildlife park visitors can see the shy bridled nailtail wallaby, thought to be extinct for over 30 years. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been conserving native wildlife and nurturing the local Indigenous heritage for over 70 years, and is an entertaining and educational day out for the whole family.
Pack a picnic
The Gold Coast has over 2200 parks covering more than 16,000 hectares, with almost 700 playgrounds, over 380 barbecues and more than 200 sports fields across the city. In addition to our parks, there are are range of community gardens, bushwalks and nature trails that explore our biodiverse environment in all its unique glory. You could pretty explore a brand new green space every weekend for the rest of your life, without even leaving the Gold Coast.
Take to the water
Whether you’re wanting to head out into the waves or take it easy on some of the flatter waterways, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding are some of the most fun ways to explore the water on the Gold Coast. Popular jumping off points include Currumbin Creek Estuary, Palm Beach Parklands, Budds Beach and Talle Creek.
Hit the markets
Why shop inside when you can grab your groceries or an awesome new outfit in the sunny outdoors? Outdoor weekend markets run the length of the coast so you’ll never have to travel too far to grab something local, handmade or farm fresh, and enjoy the great outdoors while you’re doing it.
Go golfing
Did you know Gold Coast has more golf courses per capita than any other Australian city? But apart from the long courses for the serious drivers, we’ve also got a range of mini golf options, including King Tutts Putt Putt, Putt Putt Mermaid Beach, Holey Moley Surfers Paradise, Carrara Markets mini golf and Westfield Coomera. And let’s not forget TopGolf, the ultimate mix of golf and fun, where you’ll hit micro-chipped golf balls into giant targets on the outfield from your very own bay and score points as you go.