The best hikes from bus stations in Queensland

Wurrmbu Creek is a quieter swimming spot within Mossman Gorge, where clear water flows over rocks to form smaller, more sheltered pools. Surrounded by dense rainforest, it feels more tucked away than the main river areas and is often less crowded.

This popular swimming spot along the Mossman River sits within Mossman Gorge, where clear water flows over large granite boulders to form natural pools. Surrounded by dense rainforest, it’s a common place to stop for a swim while walking through the gorge. It can get busy during the day, so visiting later in the afternoon is usually quieter.

Rainforest Circuit Track in Mossman Gorge winds through dense, moisture-rich rainforest within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Starting near Rex Creek bridge, the track moves through shaded forest filled with strangler figs, epiphytes, and regular butterfly activity. A small lookout along the way offers views towards Mount Demi, breaking up the enclosed canopy. Conditions are humid year-round, with roots and steps underfoot, so surfaces can be slippery after rain.

Regatta Waters Lake is a large, purpose-built water sports lake within Damian Leeding Memorial Park, known for its calm waters, picturesque suburban setting, and regularly hosting activities such as rowing, dragon boating, canoeing, and model boating. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, and while you’re here, keep an eye out for waterbirds often seen along its edges.

The Regatta Waters Lake walking track is a flat, paved loop that runs approximately 3.9–4 kilometres around the lake and is suitable for all fitness levels. The route is widely used by walkers, runners, and cyclists, with distance markers, fitness stations, and regular views across the water and surrounding homes. Sections of the track pass between the lake and nearby waterways, adding a nice variety of scenery while still remaining an easy, continuous circuit.

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.

This viewpoint offers a clear view of the Brisbane skyline rising above the forest. From here, you can see the city’s cluster of modern towers in the distance beyond an expansive canopy of eucalypt bushland. Gaps in the trees frame the skyline, creating a quiet lookout point along the otherwise shaded bush track.

Spotted Gum Trail is a short bushwalking track that winds through beautiful open eucalypt forest dominated by tall spotted gum trees. The narrow dirt path passes through dry woodland with leaf-littered ground, providing habitat for birds and other small wildlife typical of the area. Though close to the city, the trail offers a quiet stretch of natural bushland and is often used as a connector between other walking tracks in the reserve.