Gold Coast Round Trip Scenic Drive

To sample a huge slice of the Gold Coast's beaches and hinterland try this one day scenic drive that encompasses the best of everything the 'Goldie' has to offer.

Head north on the Gold Coast Highway, passing glamorous Main Beach, iconic Broadwater and Southport, Labrador and Runaway Bay. Watch the reflections on the canals as boats glide back and forth in front of elegant 'island' homes. Once you pass Runaway Bay follow the signs to Sanctuary Cove and onwards in the direction of the Pacific Highway and Brisbane.

The Pacific Highway and the exit left for Mount Tamborine are well sign posted. Mount Tamborine and the arty Tamborine Village are worth stopping for and spending some time at. North Tamborine has various bushwalks, national parks, short strolls and lush rainforests. There are plenty of boutique eateries and souvenir shops to engage your attention.

Heading back down the Mountain is the village of Nerang and the Pacific Highway. Head south until the turnoff to the historic timber village of Mudgeeraba, gateway to Springbrook National Park. The road leading to Springbrook has particularly narrow wooden bridges and hairpin corners. Head into Springbrook Village peppered with plenty of lookouts and quaint shops. Returning back, drive until the road splits in two and take the next left. At the T intersection, turn left and head towards Numinbah Valley and Natural Arch. Keep heading south through the valley and then take the right hand turn to Natural Arch.

Head back through the valley, turn left and follow the signs to Murwillumbah. Continue for five or ten minutes, the mountain pass is the NSW/Qld border and the views are fantastic. Murwillumbah is a good sized country town on the banks of the Tweed River and blessed with beautiful bucolic scenery.

Heading back, go across the same bridge that you took from the Numinbah Valley. This time keep going straight ahead and follow the signs to Currumbin. The road winds for about 15-25 min until reaching Currumbin Creek road. Turn right and follow the creek all the way back to the traffic lights at the Pacific Highway. From here returning to urban Gold Coast is an easy trip via Coolangatta.

Coolangatta shares the state border with Tweed Heads and the area is home to some of the most famous surf breaks in Australia. Kirra Beach, Snapper Rocks, Greenmount and Duranbah are all visible. Follow the signs back up the Coastline to Surfers Paradise, past the famous beachside suburbs of Currumbin, Burleigh, Miami and Broadbeach, eventually ending up where you started.