Being a professional athlete and living on the Gold Coast is nothing short of amazing. The places to run locally are often only a short drive away and are beautifully breathtaking – which makes me so proud to call the Gold Coast home.
Although with much landscape to see and run, I’ll let you in on a few special running places I believe are world-class, and worthy of your runner’s bucket list. So get your socks and shoes at the ready; here are five of the most majestic runs on the Gold Coast.
MILLIONAIRES’ MILE
If you’re staying near Broadbeach and feel like a morning run or even a sunset walk – a return trip from Kurrawa Surf Club to Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club is a perfect place to get out and explore. This run will take you along what is a very famous section of the Gold Coast past Hedges Avenue. Many beautiful beachfront houses have been built along this stretch, and there’s even a coffee pitstop (Café On Hedges) perfectly located halfway down. The coastal run and the liveliness of so many people out exercising is a great way to start or end your day. It’s a lovely 6km round trip for all walks of life.
SOUTHPORT SEAWAY TRAIL RUN
Leaving from Southport Surf Lifesaving Club, this trail hugs the coastline up to The Spit at Main Beach to provide a beautiful 5km run for all levels of runners or walkers with sea views. A return trip would offer a very scenic 10km run.
SURF CLUB HOPPING
When travelling to the Gold Coast, it’s an absolute must to stop in at a surf club for dinner and a drink with ocean views… so why not start and finish at Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club? Start your run at the surf club and head north to Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club where you will be taken along the beautiful beachfront of crystal-clear blue waters, up along the headland for a beautiful picture opportunity and continue down along the beach till you reach Nobby Beach.
Head back up the headland and along the footpath to Burleigh where you can sit back relax and enjoy the beautiful Burleigh headland. A fantastic run for all ages and abilities with a total distance of 8km. If you wish to run a little longer – keep heading north along millionaires’ mile to Kurrawa Surf in Broadbeach, before returning to Burleigh for a fantastic 15km round-trip.
KANGAROO RUNNING
One of my favourite places to run is situated close to Runaway Bay and Harbour Town Shopping Centre – through the beautiful Coombabah Wetlands. This hidden gem is a local favourite and takes in a unique opportunity to run alongside Australia’s most famous animals. Lined with beautiful wetlands, trails and green grass, this location is a kangaroo’s playground, and we as keen runners are very lucky to be able to share this beautiful land to exercise.
My suggestion is to take a camera as there will be endless opportunities to see and take pictures running alongside the kangaroos. But please remember these kangaroos live here so always be respectful to them and in return I’m sure you will get a picture to keep as a wonderful memory from your excellent run or walk. There are many trails that are signposted, so you have opportunities to run anywhere from 2km to 12km. This spot is flat, safe and an absolutely incredible place to run.
NERANG STATE FOREST
If you’re searching for a more challenging run or walk, then the training ground of many great Olympians is the spot for you. Test your fitness and adventure through the hills and trails of the Nerang State Forest. It’s a great place to run and I promise you will love it.
Situated just a 10-minute drive from the coastline, the Nerang State Forest is a breeding ground for many great runners due to its unique and extremely challenging hills and trails make. The location offers an off-road experience like no other. The fire trail next to the velodrome allows you to travel along 7km, 15km or 25km trails that will test even the best runners. Stick to the fire trail or go exploring but remember to always take note of where you are when running in the forest. Safety first.
So there you have it – my favourite five places to run on the Gold Coast and places I know you will enjoy. The Gold Coast is the most incredible place to run, so get moving and happy running!
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.