Things to do in South Murwillumbah

The beaches at Coolangatta include Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Kirra. The first two are the Gold Coast’s only north-facing beaches, making them more sheltered with calmer water ideal for swimming. Walk or jog along the paths of the oceanfront park or visit the mall along the coast on a sunny winter’s day. Pods of dolphins and migrating whales can sometimes be seen; head to Snapper Rocks at the New South Wales border for the best views.

Spend an unforgettable day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and see its large collection of native Australian animals. Take the miniature steam train through forests and past lakes, hopping off at the different animal habitats in your own time.

Burleigh Beach is one of the Gold Coast’s best beaches. This stretch of white sand is 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) long and a good place to relax, walk or splash around in the Pacific Ocean. The beaches are patrolled by surf life savers when it gets busy. The bigger waves are popular among surfers, and international and national surfing championships are held here regularly.

Snapper Rocks sits between the southern end of Rainbow Bay and the northern end of Point Danger in Coolangatta. Due to low rocks in the Snapper Rocks surf zone, this is not a safe area for ocean swimming, but there is a man-made “ocean pool” and usually some awesome surf action too.

Follow winding trails along forested gorges and stop at waterfalls and lookouts along the way in scenic Springbrook National Park. The park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a unique slice of wilderness.