Nature at your doorstep – how City of Gold Coast is encouraging connection with the environment
From its sandy beaches to its lush hinterland, the Gold Coast is an idyllic place to live for any nature lover. The City of Gold Coast is making it easy for locals to immerse themselves in the area’s natural splendour, with something on offer for adventure seekers, recreational wanderers and those looking for a tranquil place to relax.
While the Gold Coast is flush with culinary delights, sporting fixtures and its nature-based recreational offering might be the city’s best asset. With spending time outdoors a proven method to reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance overall well-being, the City of Gold Coast is ensuring that there is an activity for everybody, from hiking, trail running and cycling, to horseback riding, picnicking and kayaking.
The Gold Coast’s conservation estate boasts more than 13,000 hectares of natural areas managed by the City of Gold Coast, with a network of reserves, parks, and other natural areas encompassing mountain summits, picturesque picnic spots, wildlife habitats and waterfalls.
If you prefer your nature experiences to be a bit more relaxed, the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area is perfect for leisurely exploration. The reserve covers more than 1200 hectares of wetland, eucalypt forests, salt marshes and mangroves, and boasts a number of flat tracks and boardwalk trails suited for all ages and fitness levels. Visitors can spy koalas resting in trees, kangaroos grazing on the grasslands and an assortment of bird species flitting about the wetlands.
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Love a view? The Gold Coast’s Lower Beechmont Conservation Area is located at the northern end of the Beechmont Plateau on the McPherson Range, which means it has an elevated position over the rest of the hinterland. Here you’ll find Freeman’s Lookout, where visitors can take in stunning eastern views of the Gold Coast skyline while enjoying a picnic.
Likewise, the Bally Mountain summit trail – located within the Bally Mountain Conservation Area in Bonogin – is an excellent choice for experienced walkers with a high level of fitness that are keen to be rewarded with a terrific panoramic view of the ocean, Springbrook and Wollumbin.
Tchoobey Reserve is the spot to go for some kayaking, with a launch point perfect for paddlers eager to explore the creek and nearby reserves like Schuster Park.
For more information on local bushwalks, nature trails and picnic spots, head to the City of Gold Coast website.
