📍22 Best Scenic Gold Coast Picnic Spots Along The Coast & Hinterland For Your Next Romantic Picnic, Family BBQ Or Friend Gathering.
WONDERING WHAT THE BEST GOLD COAST PICNIC SPOTS ARE TO ENJOY OUTDOOR DINING?
With iconic golden beaches on one side, lush hinterland on the other, and a network of rivers and creeks surrounding the towering skyscrapers and intriguing attractions and serving as a beautiful setting for the city’s “Famous For Fun” thrill-seeking activities, there’s absolutely no debating why Queensland’s Gold Coast gets such illustrious worldwide acclaim.
And if you’re looking to soak in the natural ambience while chilling out between adventure A and activity B, there are few better ways to do that than by finding a scenic park and enjoying an outdoor meal or get-together.
Whether you are craving a lovely seaside breeze, peaceful rivers and lakes or rugged mountain ranges, there is no shortage of outstanding Gold Coast picnic spots to enjoy a romantic picnic, family BBQ, or friend get-together.
From the breathtaking views of the understandably popular Burleigh Hill, the crystal blue waters of Tallebudgera Creek, the rugged hinterland views of Karuman Lookout and boat-only accessible Wave Break Island, there are plenty of easily accessible beaches and parks with lots of facilities, along with a few hard-to-reach adventure locations with next to nothing, dining out has never been so scenically rewarding.
So, without further ado, here are the best places to enjoy an everyday picnic, romantic date, public/school holiday or day of commemoration, such as Australia Day, Easter, Mother’s/Father’s Day or celebrate a memorable personal occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, from a frequently visiting, picnic-loving, long time local.
👉 My top 3 picks for the best picnic spots on the Gold Coast:
- Coast: Burleigh Hill.
- Creek: Tallebudgera Creek.
- Island: Wave Break Island.
- Hinterland: Karaman Lookout.
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Best Coastal Picnic Spots On The Gold Coast.
1. Burleigh Hill.
Burleigh Head.
⭐️ Information:
- Scenery: Gold Coast skyline.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, most sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Small fenced one.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Burleigh Beach.
- Burleigh Head National Park.
- Tallebudgera Creek.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Spectacular views of the Gold Coast skyline, which is beautiful viewing at sunrise, sunset or at night.
- ✔️ Adjacent to one of the city’s best beaches! And it’s lifeguard patrolled!
- ✔️ The gorgeous Burleigh Head National Park lies to the east, which has some of the Gold Coast’s best lookouts!
- ✔️ A walk through there leads to Tallebudgera Creek, one of the best wild swimming creeks.
- ✔️ Near a cafe.
- Hard to park.
2. Point Danger Lighthouse.
Coolangatta.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Northern & Southern coastlines.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes. Some sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Snapper Rocks. (Scenic spot & world-class surfing.)
- Kirra Hill Lookout.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Picnic at a landmark. The lighthouse earmarks the Queensland/NSW Border. It’s fun jumping between them.
- ✔️ Fantastic views in both directions.
- ✔️ One of the few drive-in lookouts on the GC, perfect if you want to eat in the car.
- ✔️ Gorgeous for watching the sunrise & on-land whale watching. (season.)
- ✔️ Lovely sea breeze.
- ✔️ Near the Gold Coast Airport, great for if you’re waiting to pick someone up.
- Wind might be troublesome & cold.
3. RT Peak Memorial Park/Kirra Hill Lookout.
Kirra.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Ocean, beaches and coastline.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes. Some sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: No.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Snapper Rocks.
- Point Danger Lighthouse.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️The lookout has gorgeous views of Queensland’s southernmost coastal point.
- ✔️Great for watching the sunrise over the ocean, sunset over the mainland and surfers riding the waves at Snapper Rocks.
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4. Mick Schamburg Park & Lookout.
Miami.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Beaches, Gold Coast skyline, Burleigh Head.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass on the hill or park, boardwalk at the lookout.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, sheltered ones in the park.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Stunning beach views with the Gold Coast skyline as a backdrop on one side and Burleigh Head on the other.
- ✔️ Spectacular hidden gem.
- ✔️ Quieter than the other coastal picnic spots.
- ✔️ Generally, fairly easy to find a parking space.
5. Kurrawa Park.
Broadbeach.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Park.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes. Some sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Right behind a beach.
- ✔️ Lots of accommodation options nearby.
- ✔️ Plenty of room for kids to run around.
- ✔️ Borobi.
Best Rivers Creeks, Rockpools & Waterholes.
6. Broadwater Parklands.
Southport.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Gold Coast Broadwater.
- Suitable For:
- Romance.
- Families.
- Large get-togethers.
- Hassle-free vegan picnics. (When the QLD Vegan markets are on.)
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Benches.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: – Yes – One of the best!
- Distance From Car Park: Close to mid-range.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Gold Coast Aqua Park.
- Vegan Markets. (Click here to see when they are on next! I’m especially obsessed with the mushroom tacos from Holy Taco.)
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Huge open space.
- ✔️ Lovely river views.
- ✔️ The best kids’ playgrounds in the city!
- ✔️ Dedicated Broadwater swimming enclosure.
- ✔️Rockpools splash zone.
- ✔️ Gold Coast Aquapark.
- ✔️ Vegan Markets. Yum!
- ✔️ Narrow beach for swimming.
- ✔️ Borobi.
- ✔️ Close to the Broadwater Parklands G:Link tram stop.
- ❌ Hard parking.
7.Tallebudgera Creek Park.
Tallebudgera.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Gorgeous creek with a mountainous background.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Sand.
- Picnic Tables: Yes. – Some sheltered.
- BBQs: – Yes.
- Playground: – Yes
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Burleigh Head National Park.
- Burleigh Hill.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Absolutely spectacular place. One of the most scenic on the Gold Coast.
- ✔️ Gorgeous, crystal clear blue waters look like something you’d find surrounding a remote island.
- ✔️ Burleigh Head National Park is a gorgeous backdrop and has some of the best lookouts in the city.
- ✔️ Calm waters make it one of the best places in the region for paddleboarding, kayaking & snorkelling.
- Very hard to park.
8. Currumbin Alley.
Currumbin.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Currumbin Alley.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Beach.
- Picnic Tables: At the small park opposite the Currumbin Rock car park.
- BBQs: Yes. – At the small park.
- Playground: – No
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Currumbin Rock.
- Elephant Rock.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Near the photogenic Currumbin Rock, the Gold Coast’s most striking coastal landscape.
- ✔️ Calm, peaceful waters are great for kayaking & stand-up paddleboarding.
- ✔️ Patrolled beach nearby.
- ❌ Parking is hard.
9. Currumbin Rock Pools.
Currumbin Valley.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Rock pools.
- Suitable For: A picnic & a swim.
- Surface: Dirt.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Cougal Cascades.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Stunning natural wild swimming hole.
- Eels nibble your ankles. (But they don’t do much damage, thankfully.)
- ✔️ Shady and sunny areas to swim.
- Not a lot of space.
- Parking can be hard, especially on weekends and public holidays.
10. Cougal Cascades.
Springbrook National Park.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Rainforest.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: No.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Currumbin Rock Pool.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Gold Coast’s closest waterfall.
- ✔️ Historical relics.
- ✔️ Easily accessible.
- ❌ Parking can be super hard on weekends.
11. Budds Beach.
Surfers Paradise.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Gold Coast Broadwater.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass & sand.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Very close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Cavill Avenue (Main shopping mall.)
- Surfers Paradise Beach.
- Slingshot.
- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.
- Aquaduck.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Within walking distance of Cavill Avenue & many accommodation options, so no car is necessary.
- ✔️ Sky rises and multi-million dollar mansion scenery.
- ✔️ Surprisingly hidden for its location.
- ✔️ Close to G:Link tram stop.
- ✔️ Parking isn’t too bad. Plus, it’s free.
- ✔️ Close & easy launching for kayaks.
- ✔️ Stand-up paddleboard lessons.
- ✔️ Some shady trees.
12. Doug Jennings Park.
Main Beach.
⭐️Facilities:
- Scenery: Gold Coast Waterway.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass
- Picnic Tables: Yes – some sheltered.
- BBQs: –
- Playground: No
- Distance From Car Park: Very close.
- Toilets: Yes.
- Opening Hours: 6am-8pm.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Sea World.
- Gold Coast Marina – Many boat tours depart here.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Right by the water with small river beaches, perfect for swimming!
- ✔️ Watch the boats go by and the sunset.
- ✔️ Easy and close kayak launching.
- ✔️ Short paddle to Wave Break Island. (Lovely snorkelling spot.)
- ✔️ Shady trees.
- ✔️ Marine Stadium Jetty Pontoon looks towards the skyscrapers.
- ✔️ Short walk to the ocean. (The breakwall is pretty.)
- ✔️ One of the quieter picnic spots on the Gold Coast.
13. Cascade Gardens.
Broadbeach.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Gardens.
- Suitable For: Families
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Gazebos & sheltered.
- BBQs: Electric.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Kurrawa Beach.
- Burleigh Head National Park.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Peaceful garden setting with fountains.
- ✔️ Lots of room for the kids to run around and play family games like cricket & soccer.
Best Gold Coast Island Picnic Spots.
14. Wave Break Island.
Gold Coast Broadwater.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Different views. – Gold Coast skyline, seaway, broadwater, mainland & South Stradbroke Island.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Beach.
- Picnic Tables: No.
- BBQs: No.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Far. (Boat-only accessible.
- Toilets: No.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- The Spit.
- South Stradbroke Island.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Great snorkelling.
- ✔️ Boat-only accessibility means adventure picnicking!
- ✔️Several nearby easy kayaking launch locations, plus, it’s a short paddle across.
- ✔️ Different views. – Gold Coast skyline, seaway, broadwater, mainland & South Stradbroke Island.
- ✔️ May occasionally have groups of tourists coming through as it’s a popular cruise location.
15. South Stradbroke Island.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery:
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Beach.
- Picnic Tables: –
- BBQs: –
- Distance From Car Park: Very Far.
- Toilets: Only At Couran Cove.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Wave Break Island.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Quietest and most remote beach picnic spot on the Gold Coast, so it’ll make you feel like you’re miles away.
- ✔️ Unlikely to come across anyone, especially the further away from Couran Cove you are.
- ✔️ Boat only accessible for adventure picnicking!
- ✔️ The perfect escape for public and school holidays.
- Not accessible to everyone.
16. Macintosh Island Park.
Surfers Paradise.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Parkland.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Cavill Avenue.
- Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.
- Slingshot.
- The Wax Museum.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Borobi!
- ✔️ Nice quiet park.
- ❌ Need insect repellent.
Best Gold Coast Hinterland Picnic Spots.
17. Waterside Park.
Hinze Dam/ Advancetown Lake.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Lake, mountains, dam wall.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Mountain bike trails.
- Close to Springbrook National Park.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Lovely lake & mountain scenery!
- ✔️ Wide open spaces to run around and play games.
- ✔️ Nearby cafe.
- ✔️ Also a shady lower picnic area with a playground.
- ✔️ Typically easy parking.
18. Rosin’s Lookout.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Mountains.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park:
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Close to Lamington National Park.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Beautiful view overlooking the mountains.
- ✔️ Hang glider, Paraglider launch site.
- ✔️ Great for sunrises and storms.
- Can get windy!
19. Karaman Lookout.
Lamington National Park. (Green Mountains Section.)
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Mountains
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass
- Picnic Tables: Sheltered.
- BBQs: No.
- Playground:
- Distance From Car Park:
- Toilets: No. Closest are at Green Mountain/O’Reilly’s, a few kms away.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Green Mountain walks.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Lovely panoramic mountain and hinterland views.
- ✔️ Beautiful sunrise location and stargazing.
- ✔️ Open and spacious.
- ✔️ Great pitspot from the challenging drive up.
- ✔️ Typically easy parking.
- ✔️ A shady rotunda.
- ❌ Not much parking, so school and public holidays will be difficult to stop. But it’s still lovely to drive around.
20. Stinson Replica.
Lamington National Park. (Green Mountains Section.)
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: The Stinson Replica
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass.
- Picnic Tables: Nearby. Some sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes. Electric.
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Walking Trails.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Unique Gold Coast picnic spot.
- ✔️ Close to walks and accommodation.
- ✔️ Great for sunset picnics.
- ✔️ Shelter nearby if a storm comes through!
- ✔️ Tonnes of parking.
21. Rob Sowter Lookout.
Mt Tamborine.
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Scenic Rim.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Sloping Grass.
- Picnic Tables: No.
- BBQs: No
- Playground: No.
- Distance From Car Park: Very close.
- Toilets: Yes
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Walking trails & waterfalls.
- Glow Worm Caves.
- Thunderbird Park.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ One of the best places on the Gold Coast to watch the sunset.
- ✔️ Beautiful romantic spot.
- ✔️ Parking on a regular day is reasonably easy.
- ✔️ If the wind direction is favourable, you may see hang gliders and parasailers take off!
- ✔️ Plenty of accommodation nearby.
- ❌ On weekends, public & school holidays, parking is difficult.
- ❌ Freezing in the cooler months.
- ❌ While there are some flat areas, it is mostly slope-y.
22. Bochow Park.
Natural Bridge. (Locality.)
⭐️Information:
- Scenery: Creek & mountain.
- Suitable For:
- Surface: Grass
- Picnic Tables: Sheltered.
- BBQs: Yes.
- Playground: Yes.
- Distance From Car Park: Close.
- Toilets: Yes.
⭐️Nearby Attractions:
- Natural Bridge.
✔️ Pros & ❌ Cons.
- ✔️ Lovely creek setting with a mountainous backdrop.
- ✔️ Wild swimming, kayaking & stand-up paddleboarding.
- ✔️ Can see rare birds like kingfishers, so take the binoculars and long photographic lenses!
- ✔️Decent amount of parking.
- ✔️ Lots of space.
Conclusion: Best Gold Coast Picnic Spots.
From the gorgeous Burleigh Hill, which has the Surfers Paradise Skyline as the backdrop, to the sparkling, crystal clear blue waters of Tallebudgera Creek and the mountainous views of Rosin Lookout, there’s no shortage of stunning scenic parks and picnic spots on the Gold Coast to soak in the natural ambience while eating outdoors.
