The best cycling routes in Dalton Park

Anzac Park sits along the Broadwater with open grass, large shade trees, and direct access to the shoreline. The park includes picnic areas, a playground, and a memorial space, with wide views across the water toward South Stradbroke Island.

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.

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.

Gold Coast Oceanway is a coastal shared path running for around 36 kilometres along the Gold Coast, designed for walking, cycling, and easy access to the shoreline. Around North Kirra, it follows the beachfront with open ocean views and a relaxed, flat route. Along this section, you’ll pass Roughton Park, Peak Memorial Park, and Queen Elizabeth Park, with grassy areas and places to stop along the way.

North Kirra Beach has a more open, windswept feel, with long stretches of sand and fewer crowds compared to the busier parts of the Gold Coast. Behind the beach, park areas are set up with barbecues, picnic spots, and playgrounds, along with toilets and showers. It’s patrolled during peak periods, so it’s worth sticking between the flags if you’re heading in for a swim.

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.

A short, steep walk up the hill at Mick Schamburg Park leads to a lookout that offers reaching views both north towards Surfers Paradise and south towards Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta. One of the lookouts even has a telescope. This park is an excellent place for a stroll along the Gold Coast Oceanway, beach day, or a relaxing picnic. Parking for Mick Schamburg Park is in the Kelly Avenue car park.

This long sandy beach is a great pick on a summer day for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing, and it has lifeguards on duty with a nearby park. It is a well-patrolled area due to dangerous riptides and rough, open-ocean waves. Keep in mind that swimmers should always stay between the red and yellow flags for their safety. The sand is white, soft, and clean, making walks along the shore enjoyable.