The best walks and hikes in Dalton Park

D'Arcy Doyle Park, also known as Warri Park, is home to a few little creeks, with three wooden bridges passing over them, a few large trees and a large mowed grass lawn. It's nestled in an urban area and just to the south, across from Swanton Drive, is a paved parking lot, public toilets and shaded picnic areas.

Cobber Park sits on the banks of Mudgeeraba Creek, and has a dog park and basketball court, picnic benches under gazebos and a large paved parking area. There are drinking fountains here but no public toilets.

Mudgeeraba Creek flows about 20 kilometres through protected rainforests, rural farmland and suburban areas. The creek's headwaters are in Springbrook National Park and flows until merging with the Nerang River. Australian bass, Dewfish, and Surf bream all live in the waters and birds like the Golden-headed Cisticola live around the river as well.

This lovely path is a flat, easy loop that runs along the shoreline of Lake Orr and surrounding waterways. It is a family-friendly route with minimal elevation, popular for walking, running, cycling, and birdwatching. Along the way, the route passes through beautifully landscaped parklands with boardwalk sections, recreational facilities, and peaceful waterside views. It is a fantastic place for a scenic walk any time of the year.

Varsity Foreshore Parklands span several sections surrounding Lake Orr, with plenty of open green space for everyday recreation in the heart of Varsity Lakes. There are grassy lawns, picnic areas, playgrounds, toilets, shaded areas, and multiple lakeside access points, making it a popular central gathering place and an ideal setting for walking, picnicking, and relaxing by the water.

Camp Creek flows into Lake Orr, contributing to the larger catchment that supplies this central waterway in Varsity Lakes. The surrounding paths and open spaces are a hub for everyday recreation, from walking and cycling to kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on the lake. Together, they form a calm, natural pocket within Varsity Lakes, and if you are here in the evening, it's a lovely place to watch the sunset.

Springbrook National Park covers approximately 6,725 hectares (about 67 km²) and is a protected area in Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland, forming part of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. It features a diverse landscape of subtropical and temperate rainforests, eucalypt forests, cliffs, and more than a dozen waterfalls sculpted by the ancient Tweed volcano. The park is known for its scenic lookouts, high rainfall environment, and network of walking tracks across four main sections.

The Cream Track is a long and challenging historic walking route from Tallebudgera Valley to the Springbrook Plateau, following a former dairy transport path. This section leading to the falls is a shaded rainforest path with several creek crossings and uneven terrain, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear, as you'll likely get your feet wet on the way. After the third crossing, a short climb leads to a junction with a few constructed steps on the main track, and a narrower path to the left that continues to follow the creek upstream to reach Gorge Falls.