The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Upper Mudgeeraba Conservation Area

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.

Warringa Pool is a deep, clear swimming hole along Little Nerang Creek, surrounded by dense rainforest. One of the few places in the park where swimming is permitted, the pool is fed by a small cascade at its upper end, with smooth rock edges and a more sheltered setting than the main falls. The name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “cool place.” It’s reached via a short side track off the main circuit near the base of Purling Brook Falls. Getting to the pool involves uneven ground and rocky surfaces, which can be slippery, especially after rain. However, the pool is best visited after heavy rainfall.

Caldwell Cove is a small beach tucked into Burleigh Heads National Park. Visitors can see the beach from the park’s Oceanview walking track. Head down to the beach to enjoy the sandy area and rock pools during low tide.