On Your Bike! Your Gold Coast Cycling Guide

With over 2400 kilometres of bikeways and shared pathways, there’s a trail, track, or circuit for every kind of cyclist on the Gold Coast – from toddlers on training wheels to long-distance athletes. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or riding to lunch we've got you covered with this insider’s guide to Gold Coast cycling for every kind of rider.

The Darren Smith Memorial Cycleway

This is one of Australia’s best coastal bike rides – a 48km ride from the bottom of the Gold Coast, almost to the top. Don’t let long distance part put you off – it’s mostly flat, and you don’t have to the whole thing. Start at Coolangatta then ride a along the beachside pathway passing by some of the world’s top surf breaks. Stop for lunch at a local surf life saving club along the way, or combine a morning pedal with brunch and a swim. The route continues beyond Surfers Paradise to Paradise Point, beside the Broadwater (a stunning Gold Coast waterway).

Long Distace Rides For Serious Cyclists

O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat

How are those quads? This 70km return route takes you up a kilometre of gradient into the depths of a World Heritage-listed national park, which home to some of the largest tracts of Gondwana rainforest on Earth (Lamington National Park). This is probably the most challenging of all the Gold Coast Hinterland cycling trails. Expect to do it in around 2.5 hours. You’ll start from the village of Canungra (fuel up on coffee at The Outpost along the way), before taking on hair-pin corners as you climb your way deep into the rainforest, before arriving at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The good news is it’s all downhill coming back.

Currumbin Valley

Currumbin Valley is one of the Gold Coast cycling’s best kept secrets. It’s not far from the beach, but you’re surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, hobby farms and honesty boxes where you can pick up homegrown fruit and veg. Start your ride beside the beach at Currumbin after a coffee at The Salt Mill. You’ll soon start seeing kangaroos in paddocks, beside cows and horses. Stop for lunch at Pasture & Co, beside one of the world’s most innovative eco-residential estates, The Eco-Village. Ride to the end of the valley, then on your way back stop at Balter Brewing in Currumbin Waters for refreshing craft beer. This ride is around 40km return.

Hinze Dam

The Hinze Dam route takes you on a scenic 60km ride from the Hinterland to the art-deco streetscape of Murwillumbah (across the border in New South Wales) where you can lunch at a choice of funky venues. You’ll be blown away by the scenery as you climb, from waterfalls beside the road to green cathedrals of ancient trees, descending almost a kilometre in gradient (maybe you could consider an E-bike?). You’ll start your ride outside Nerang beside picturesque Little Nerang Dam.

Family Friendly Bike Paths

Strap on your helmets for the perfect family activity. Whether you've got t a little one riding tandem with you in a bike seat, a toddler on training wheels or a teen who loves skating, there are plwnty of places to cruise flat, smooth paths away from busy roads.

The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

As far as Gold Coast cycling goes, this is as leisurely as it gets. This shared pathway accommodates pedestrians and cyclists on a nice, wide, flat walking track that runs parallel to the beach from Burleigh Point to North Burleigh and beyond (it’s part of the Darren Smith Memorial Route). This ride is a meander through beachside parkland and pandanus trees, where you’ll have stunning views of the ocean as you ride along. There’s some great stops along the way for coffee and ice-creams or a play on the numerous playgrounds dotted along the foreshore. At the North Burleigh end, lock the bikes up and climb the hill to the look out in top for an incredible vista of the coastline. 

Main Beach to The Spit

Another good one for those on training wheels, but bigger kids will love it too. You’ll start just north of Surfers Paradise at Southport Surf Club and make your way along foreshore parks and past iconic hotels along The Spit, like Palazzo Versace. Stop for a coffee there. Sea World is on your left next, listen out for the sound of roller coasters and kids screaming with delight in the water park. You can deviate left into stunning bays along the way for a swim, and stop off at Southport Yacht Club on the way back for a cold drink or a lunch stop.

Gold Coast Moutain Biking

Gold Coast Bike Park

Located in beautiful bushland at Mudgeeraba, this gravity mountain bike park (previously Boomerang Farm Bike Park) has 14 trails for all riding styles and abilities. From technical singletrack to easy green runs, gravity fed flow and jump trails, and trail riding for eMTB riders, Gold Coast Bike Park one of the best. A day pass comes with uplift inclusion which means quick turn arounds and no pedalling back up to the top of the trail every run. Keep an eye out for MTB events from grassroots community gatherings and to new major riding festivals such as Gravity Jam, Summer Sessions / Phat Fridays and more.

Nerang Mountain Bike Trails

There are 1700 hectares of mountain bike terrain in the forests just west of Nerang – and they’re so good the world’s best mountain bikers rode them in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. There’s over 20km of tracks to choose between – with some, like the Casuarina Grove Circuit – easy enough for beginners. But there’s plenty of challenging single-track trails through rock glades, drop-offs and creek beds to test experienced riders. You can really explore your way through rainforest and open eucalypt forest by following fire trails but deviating off into tight single tracks.

Gold Coast Bike Hire

No bike of your own? No worries? Hire one, grab a Lime Bike or book accom where bicycles are provided.

Lime Bikes

Cruise your way around the city on an electric bike, taking advantage of a sustainable, affordable and thoroughly enjoyable way to explore beaches, parks and places. It’s super simple to Lime, all you need is a smartphone and the Lime App. There are hundreds of Lime bikes available in key locations from Paradise Point to Coolangatta and as far west as Helensvale and Mudgeeraba. You’ll find them scattered around the suburbs where other riders have left them. Simply scan the QR code on the bike, strap on your helmet, saddle up and you’re good to go.

Peddly Picnics - Mount Tamborine

Peddly Picnics offers electric bike hire that Gold Coast visitors and locals will love. Paired with bespoke picnic hampers and accessories, you can explore the beauty of Tamborine Mountain, from local wineries and lush rainforests to stunning picnic spots and scenic hiking trails. Perfect for a romantic picnic for two, a family adventure or a dog-friendly day out.

Kool Bike Hire - Coolangatta

Easy local hire with a wide range of bikes - expert fitting, safety-checked bikes, helpful local advice, and friendly service every time. No bookings required.

Accommodation With Bikes for Guests

Tessa's on the Beach in Bilinga, La Costa Motel in Tugun and Beechmont Estate in the Hinterland offer free bike hire to guests.

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