Step into the best Gold Coast Hinterland hikes

List

By Melanie Ball

Easy hike | Short hike | Day hike | Challenging hike | Multi-day adventure

Tear yourself away from the golden sands and blue waters of the Gold Coast and you’ll find an ancient world waiting for you in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Queensland's 'green behind the gold', the Gold Coast Hinterland (and neighbouring Scenic Rim region) is bursting with icon-status national parks, majestic waterfalls, World Heritage-listed rainforests, and picture-perfect lookouts over the mountains, valleys and coastline that make up this rugged terrain.

Set yourself the challenge and swap the waves for walks; these are among the best Gold Coast Hinterland hikes.

Best easy hike: O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk

Two women walking across a wooden walkway through the tree canopy — O'Reilly's Treetop Walk, Lamington National Park, Gold Coast

Location: Lamington National Park
Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Fitness level: Easy
Where to stay: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat or Green Mountains camping area.
How to get there: Begin at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, a 2-hour drive from Brisbane or a 1.5-hour drive from the Gold Coast.

Climb into the rainforest canopy on the Tree Top Walk, one of the Gold Coast Hinterland's most iconic – and free – attractions. Follow the nine suspension bridges snaking through this World-Heritage backdrop to the viewing deck 30 metres above the ground. Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best bird-watching opportunities.

Up next? At a reasonable 6km, Morans Falls Track is one of the most famous Gold Coast Hinterland hikes, transporting you to one of Lamington National Park’s best views of the mighty Morans Falls.

Best short hike: Mount Cordeaux

A view across a green valley at Mt Cordeaux on the Gold Coast — Mt Cordeaux, Main Range National Park, Scenic Rim, Brisbane

Location: Main Range National Park
Time required: 2-3 hours
Fitness level: Moderate
Where to stay: The nearby town of Warwick has varied accommodation, while in and around the national park you’ll find camping, bed and breakfast, and resort accommodation.
How to get there: This walk starts and ends in the gravel car park beside Cunningham Highway at Cunningham’s Gap (two hours southwest of Brisbane).

On the western edge of the Scenic Rim, Main Range National Park is a remnant of a massive shield volcano. Part of the ancient Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, this Gold Coast Hinterland hike navigates dense, mossy trees, dangling thick vines and rugged walkways as you approach the Main Range’s upper slopes.

Expect close encounters with rainforest plants and wildlife (listen for lyrebirds as you approach Mt Cordeaux), and breathtaking cliff-edge lookouts.

Best day hike: Warrie Circuit

Hiking under Twin Falls Warrie Circuit Springbrook National Park — Warrie Circuit, Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast

Location: Springbrook National Park
Time required: 5-6 hours
Fitness level: Moderate to Hard
Where to stay: The national park campground is nearby, as are the fairytale-like cottages of The Mouses House Rainforest Retreat.
How to get there: This circuit walk starts and ends at Tallabana Carpark (or Canyon Lookout).

Prepare to get your feet wet. Warrie Circuit is one of the prettiest trails you'll discover while hiking the Gold Coast Hinterland, winding its way through the World Heritage listed Springbrook National Park.

This 14km, Grade 4 circuit trail leads you from the panoramas of the escarpment lookouts and down to the base of the canyon. So be prepared for a leg-busting climb on your way out. "Warrie" is derived from the Aboriginal word for "rushing water" - and that'll be your soundtrack for the day as you pass endless cascading waterfalls and moss-covered rockpools tucked into the rainforest. This is the Gold Coast Hinterland hike for waterfall lovers.

Safety note: water levels can rise suddenly after heavy rain so exercise caution in wetter months. Always follow national parks advisories.

Up next? Set your sights on Coomera Circuit at Lamington National Park's Binna Burra area for 17km of lush surrounds, creek crossings and dramatic Coomera Falls views.

Best adventure hike in the Gold Coast Hinterland: Stinson Walk

Views of the mountains and valley along the Stinson Walk — Stinson Walk, McPherson Range, Lamington National Park, Gold Coast

Location: Border Track, Lamington National Park
Time required: 12 hours
Fitness level: Hard
Where to stay: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
How to get there: O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat is a 2-hour drive south of Brisbane.

On 19^th February 1937, Stinson Model A aircraft crashed on its regular run from Brisbane to Sydney in the dense rainforest of the Gold Coast Hinterland. Ten days later, two survivors were found by mountain dairyman Bernard O’Reilly. One of the most dramatic chapters in Australia’s rich aviation history, 80 years on you can step back in time on the 35km Stinson Walk.

This Gold Coast Hinterland hike can be completed with a guide or self-planned, though going with those who know the terrain best has its advantages– this is a challenging hike. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers several guided hikes each year, following in Bernard’s footsteps through the rugged McPherson Range to the crash site.

Up next? Expert hikers will relish the rugged terrain of Mount Barney.

Best multi-day hike: Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk

Long drop waterfall cascades down cliff — Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook National Park, Gold Coast

Location: Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park.
Time required: 3 days
Fitness level: Moderate – Hard
Where to stay: Camp at designated sites along the track.
How to get there: This walk starts in the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park, a 2-hour drive south of Brisbane.

One of the Great Walks of Queensland, this epic 54km Gold Coast Hinterland hike connects several day hikes in Lamington and Springbrook national parks. It’s the ultimate Gold Coast hinterland hiking trail, and well worth the adventure (and physical exertion).

Your reward for carrying all your food and camping equipment plus numerous steep climbs and descents? A very rare experience of the remarkable volcanic geology and diverse flora and fauna in the Hinterland. You’ll also gain an appreciation of the strong connections the local Yugambah People have for this country.

The trail passes through Woonoongoora, known by the Yugambah as 'Queen of the Mountains'; a story describing the formation of the region's beautiful rivers and valleys.

Want to attempt the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk - but prefer an expert takes care of the arrangements? Auswalk offers guided and self-guided hiking holidays complete with chef-prepared meals and cosy accommodation at the end of each day's hike.