15 Amazing Scenic Spots on the Gold Coast

The city of the Gold Coast is quite unique in that it offers a modern city life while at the same time, it’s so easy to escape it and connect back with nature. The great thing is, most of the natural attractions and beautiful scenic locations are free. The list includes several stunning lookouts along with scenic areas.

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Canyon Lookout at Springbrook National Park

just out of the picture to the left are two waterfalls, this camera shot looks straight towards the Gold Coast.

Canyon Lookout Highlights

  • Easy access
  • Views of Twin Falls, Rainbow Falls, the Canyon, and out to the ocean
  • lots more walks and scenic spots in the Springbrook National Park

Getting from Gold Coast to Canyon Lookout

Best of All Lookout

not too far from Canyon Lookout, this spot provides an amazing panoramic view. This is actually the rim of a 20 million-year-old volcano.

Best of All Lookout Highlights

  • Wide expansive views inc. Mount Warning
  • Platform lookout and maintained track
  • lots more walks and scenic spots in the Springbrook National Park

Getting from Gold Coast to Best of All Lookout

Burleigh Heads National Park

there’s a walking track that goes all the way around the headland and one that heads up to the top. Either track provides great views to the north and south along the coastline.

Burleigh Heads National Park Highlights

Getting from Gold Coast to Burleigh Heads National Park

Mick Schamburg Park Lookout/Lores Bonney Lookout

at the end of Kelly Avenue, walk up the small hill for amazing views towards Surfers and also south towards Burleigh.

Mick Schamburg Park Lookout Highlights

  • Coastal views in both directions – great photo spot at sunrise or sunset
  • Three joining parks to enjoy Don Mcsween Park, Mick Schamburg Park, Ed Hardy Park
  • Miami Beach to one side and North Burleigh beach to the other
  • other attractions at Mick Schamburg Park

Getting from Gold Coast to Mick Schamburg Park Lookout

The Panorama

The Panorama is a short stretch of road in Tallai offering great views of the city on a clear day.

The Panorama Highlights

  • nice local road trip
  • head over to the nearby Hinze Dam for picnic and walks

Getting from Gold Coast to The Panorama Lookout

Doug Jennings Park and The Spit

There is a beautifully scenic coastal path along through Doug Jennings Park where you can enjoy views across the water to Southport and Main Beach along with secluded beach spots. At the Spit, you can walk out along the breakwall for great ocean views and look across to South Stradbroke.

Doug Jennings Park and The Spit Highlights

  • fish, dive, surf, swim, picnicking, walking
  • Federation Walk Coastal Reserve see map [PDF]
  • More about the Spit

Getting to The Spit

The ocean mouth of Tallebudgera Creek

At the mouth of the creek, there are some great sandbanks and great natural views. You can look up to Burleigh Heads, out to sea, along the river, and sandy shores. As you can imagine it is a hugely popular spot for picnics, watersports and relaxing.

Tallebudgera Creek Highlights

  • watersports, beach, walks, views
  • Parks and green spaces continue inland along the river’s edge
  • More about Tallebudgera Creek Park

Getting to Tallebudgera Creek

Currumbin Rock

Interesting rock formation, great beaches here plus surfing and great views in all directions. You can take strolls along the beach, along Currumbin Creek, or enjoy watersports.

Currumbin Rock Highlights

  • watersports, beach, walks, views
  • Wallace Nicoll Park, and on the other side of the creek Rockview Public Park, Palm Beach Parklands, and Tarrabora Reserve.

Getting to Currumbin Rock

Elephant Rock

A short beach walk from Currumbin Rocks, at Elephant Rock you can walk up the stairs beside the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club for great views.

Elephant Rock Highlights

  • superb views and beach
  • Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Life Saving Club

Getting to Elephant Rock

Rainbow Bay Lookout

Walk around the bottom of Greenmount or up to Pat Fagan Park for amazing views along the coastline.

Rainbow Bay Lookout Highlights

  • superb coastal and beach views
  • Coolangatta Beach, Greenmount Beach, Rainbow Bay, Pat Fagan park
  • the beautiful Oceanway coastal path
  • picnic areas

Getting to Greenmount

Kirra Hill Lookout

walk, or drive, to the top of Queen Elizabeth Park where you’ll find a barbecue, shelter and amazing beach and coastal views.

Kirra Hill Lookout highlights

  • superb coastal views to the north and over Coolangatta beach/Marine Parade
  • small park featuring electric BBQ and sheltered table

Getting to Kirra Hill Lookout

Snapper Rocks

Plenty of walking tracks around this really scenic and popular surfing area.

Snapper Rocks highlights

  • Great spot for dramatic coastal photos
  • Greenmount Beach on one side, Flagstaff Beach on the other
  • Apex Park, Oceanway coastal path, the Green Froggie

Getting to Snapper Rocks

Point Danger

awesome views along the coast of NSW and north into QLD.

Point Danger highlights

  • Amazing views down to Snapper Rocks, the ocean, and Duranbah Beach
  • Coolangatta Centaur Memorial and Walk of Remembrance
  • Captain Cook Memorial (split between QLD and NSW), Oceanway coastal path

Getting to Point Danger

Hinze Dam

Beautiful views over the massive lake and the mountains in the distance.

Hinze Dam highlights

  • playground, multi-use trails – walking, running, mountain biking and horse riding, boating (electric powered), canoeing, kayaking and rowing, sailing, fishing
  • BBQ and picnic area

Getting to Hinze Dam

Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park

there are so many amazing scenic locations within Springbrook and Lamington National Parks, this is just one of them. Natural Bridge is a spectacular natural formation caused by erosion over time

Springbrook National Park highlights

Getting to Natural Bridge

 

More? Also see

 

 

Originally posted in Feb 2012 updated May 2020.