If you are planning on visiting the Gold Coast for a weekend, you may want to take some time out to reconnect with nature.
Here are three wonderful walks you could partake in during your time here.
The Tree Top Walk
With more than 25 years experience in the business, O'Reillys Tree Top Walk gives you the opportunity to experience nature at its finest.
This 180 metre long walk consists of nine suspension bridges, held over 15 metres above the ground.
You can walk through a spectacular canopy of flowering and fruiting trees that are covered by vines. Here you can see absolutely beautiful epiphytic orchids and ferns. Listen out for the sounds of the birds and animals inhabiting the tree tops.
For a closer look, head to the observation decks at Strangler Fig – the highest one being 30 metres above the ground to see life in the rainforest canopy at close range and experience all there is to offer.
Having a rental car organised in the Gold Coast makes it even easier to reach these walkways.
Tambourine Rainforest Skywalk
Here you can enjoy and explore the rainforest canopies. It is set amongst 30 acres of private rainforest. There is a kilometre of creek running through the rainforest.
There is also the flora and fauna along this walk that is beautiful and spectacular in its own right.
Climb through 300 metres of structured bridge to the top of the rainforest canopy and 40 metres of the skywalk cantilever. This soars around 30 metres over the creek, allowing you the perfect view of the pristine rainforest.
This is the largest canopy walk in the entire South East Queensland, so it is well worth the trip.
In the Rainforest Eco Gallery you can see interpretive panels full of descriptions and photos of sub-tropical rainforest wildlife.
Tooloona Creek Circuit
This walk combines the best of Lamington National Park, including creeks, tall rainforests, scenic waterfalls, views over Byron Bay, gnarled Antarctic beech trees.
The track branches from the Box Forest circuit near the Elabana Falls. From here it is only a short time to get to Toolona Creek or to the gorge.
As you walk this way, you can see a myriad of cascades along the way – make sure you bring your camera to snap some beautiful shots of the fern-filled gullies, shady gorges, creek crossings and the Gondwana Rainforests.
This walk is around 17.4 kilometres long, so make sure you allow plenty of time to complete it.
To get the most out of this walk, ensure you have appropriate footwear. Remember, the moss-covered rocks can be slippery when wet.
However, you may be less likely to see leeches during the winter and the fine weather may mean the views are clearer.