The best road cycling routes in Karawatha Forest Park

Damian Leeding Memorial Park is a large, multi-use lakeside park on the northern Gold Coast, centred around Regatta Waters Lake, and is a hub for recreation and water sports. There are open grassy areas, playgrounds, picnic shelters with barbecues, fitness equipment, and facilities for activities such as rowing, kayaking, and sailing. A nearly 4-kilometre shared-use path surrounds the lake, making it a popular spot for walking, cycling, and everyday exercise.

Tugun Beach stretches along a quieter part of the southern Gold Coast, with a wide sandy shoreline and steady surf. At the northern end, Flat Rock Creek meets the ocean, with parkland and shaded areas just behind the beach. It’s patrolled near the surf club during peak periods, and facilities are well set up, including toilets, showers, picnic tables, and nearby cafés. Conditions can vary, so it’s worth swimming between the flags where lifeguards are present.

Jindalee's Centenary Bridge is currently undergoing renovations to increase it from four lanes to six. Improving pedestrian and cycle access the bridge is also being done. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

This stretch of the Gold Coast Oceanway follows the coastline from Point Danger to Currumbin Alley, linking some of the southern Gold Coast’s best beaches and viewpoints. The route is mostly level and easy to follow, running along paved oceanfront paths past Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay, Kirra, and Tugun. Along the way you’ll pass popular surf breaks, beachfront parks, and plenty of spots to stop for a swim or coffee. With constant views of the Pacific and regular sea breezes, it’s an enjoyable coastal walk where you can often spot surfers, dolphins, and migrating whales during the winter months.

Queen Street Mall is Brisbane’s main pedestrian shopping strip, running through the heart of the city centre. The wide, traffic-free walkway is lined with retail arcades, cafés and heritage façades alongside modern towers, giving you a clear sense of the city’s energy and scale. Street performers and public art often add to the atmosphere as you move between the river and the CBD.

Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the Brisbane River between South Bank and Gardens Point. From the centre of the bridge, you get open views along the river toward the city skyline, with high-rise towers reflecting off the water below. The bridge sits slightly elevated above river level, giving you a clear view of boats passing beneath and the CBD rising beyond. It’s a popular crossing, so keep left and stay aware of cyclists as you pause to take in the view.

The Gold Coast Oceanway is a paved coastal path that runs parallel to the beach, linking suburbs along the shoreline. This section near Surfers Paradise follows the edge of the sand, offering uninterrupted ocean views with the skyline rising behind you. The wide, sealed path is shared by walkers, runners and cyclists, so keep left and stay aware of faster traffic. Shade is limited along exposed stretches, making early morning or late afternoon a more comfortable time to walk.

Surfers Paradise Beach is a broad stretch of sand that faces directly onto the Coral Sea, with consistent surf and wide coastal views. The beach runs alongside the high-rise skyline, creating one of the Gold Coast’s most recognisable scenes. Swimming is safest between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards patrol. Conditions can change with swell and wind, and rips are present at times.