Best Walks for Parents & Bubs on the Gold Coast

We sat down with Nicole from @strollin.gc to scope out  the best stroller-friendly walking tracks on the Gold Coast.

Nicole is a first-time mum to 5MO Noah and started @strollin.gc after struggling to find a comprehensive list of walking tracks to explore during maternity leave.

Here’s a look at her favourite spots for:

What’s a walk on the Gold Coast without a gorgeous view of the ocean? Burleigh Headland is without a doubt one of the most scenic tracks on the Coast and one of the most popular too. Parking is a premium so best to tackle this one on a weekday. With the weather warming up, we always aim to arrive before 9am and usually tackle solo as the track is quite skinny in places which makes conversation tricky. 

Be sure to pack some sunscreen for bub’s legs (we use Gold Coast brand, MooGoo) and a hat for yourself. A water canteen is a must and I always throw in a snack or two (Carman’s Oat Slices are my go-to at the moment - perfect for breastfeeding mamas on the go).

Catch-ups with friends look a little different these days so I generally try to pair with a walk. It means bub’s kept entertained by the ever-changing surrounds (or is fast asleep in the pram) and I’m not left trying to wrangle a 5MO while I attempt to keep up with conversation (😴).

Wide paths are a must for a good stroll with friends, as well as somewhere nearby to grab a coffee or a bite to eat before or after your walk. The recently completed walk at the Spit is AMAZING - super wide path, endless tracks if bub does fall asleep and plenty of shady spots to spread out a picnic mat and continue your chats while bub plays. There’s a small takeaway store which has great fish and chips, as well as plenty of refreshments. 

One of my favourite walks is a spot most Gold Coasters don’t even realise exists. Hinze Dam is about 20 minutes from Broadbeach and has a 4km (approx.) return track that sits atop of the dam wall. Perfect for when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas and while there’s no shade, there’s usually a great breeze. 

The dam wall walk really shines of an afternoon as the sun sets and the water glistens all the golden tones of the sky. There’s a cafe at the start/end of the walk and toilets with change facilities. If you’ve got big kids, it’s a great place to bring the bikes and burn off some energy. The path is super wide so there’s plenty of room to spread out. 

 There’s some beautiful secluded spots to breastfeed and I find the distance means I can loop back to the car if I need to change bub. It’s a great central location to meet friends and the little cafe onsite offers an array of gelato flavours as well as a great iced mocha.

Last but not least is the Melaleuca Boardwalk circuit at Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area. This short 1.2km loop takes you through reeds, rainforest and bushland and offers plenty of shade. Keep a close eye on where you’re walking as we’ve spotted some locals of the slithering kind (🐍) of late, but there’s also kangaroos and koalas if you keep an eye out.

We love this track for a Sunday morning stroll. It’s usually pretty quiet, with plenty of parking within the park. Enclosed shoes are a must and while the Melaleuca track is stroller friendly, I’d recommend swapping to a carrier if you’re going to explore any of the other trails within the park.

A VANCHI Pram Caddy makes the perfect companion on all these walks, keeping all your essentials nice and close and saving you from having to bend down to the pram basket. Shop caddys.

For more information on each trail or to see all the stunning photos of Nicole and Noah’s adventures, be sure to follow @strollin.gc on instagram.