Things to do
Horseriding is a great way to experience Nerang's shared trails.
Photo credit: Kim Morris, Queensland Government
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Camping is not permitted in Nerang National Park.
Nearby Springbrook National Park provides the opportunity to camp. Camping permits are required and fees apply.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around the Gold Coast. For more information see the tourism information links.
Shared trails
Shared trails in Nerang National Park can be used by horseriders, walkers and mountain bikers, unless otherwise signed.
When using these trails, walkers must give way to horseriders and mountain bikers must give way to both horseriders and walkers.
On designated mountain bike trails walkers must give way to cyclists. Horseriders are not permitted on the designated mountain bike trails.
There is a range of riding opportunities in Nerang National Park.
Photo credit: Kirstin Beasley, Queensland Government
Horseriders: help reduce your impact on our natural areas—please observe the following code of conduct.
- Only allow horses to cross natural watercourses at designated crossing points on the trail for the protection of watercourses in the area.
- Minimise damage to vegetation. Do not allow horses to graze on any vegetation while in the area.
- Tether horses at hitching posts or resting areas only for short periods to minimise soil erosion and compaction.
- Avoid spreading weeds—ensure horses’ coats, hooves and equipment are free of seeds before park visits.
Trail bikes and other forms of motorised vehicles are prohibited in the park.
Mountain-bike riding
Mountain-bike riders have access to all shared trails in the national park.
In addition, there are 20 designated mountain bike trails in Nerang National Park. Horseriders are not permitted on these designated mountain bike trails and walkers must give way to mountain bike riders.
Choose trails that suit your riding ability using the trail classification system provided. There are easy, intermediate and difficult trails.
Hint: Access the mountain bike trail map on your smart phone or device and take it with you on your ride. Look for the QR code that is featured on the entrance signs and at key points around the park.
| Trail | Classification | Distance | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1—Training Wheels | Easy | 350m | 5min | A short loop close to the trailhead for beginners to test their skills. |
| 2— Casuarina Grove circuit | Easy | 2.1km circuit plus optional 1km loop | 20min | Ride through a grove of casuarina trees—the favoured food tree of the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo. To extend your ride there is the option of diverging to an additional loop that adds another 1km (8min riding time) to your trip. |
| 9—Goanna | Easy | 2.6km | 20min | Travel through eucalypt forest and dry rainforest, crossing numerous small creeks. Expect a mostly easy and enjoyable ride with a few minor challenges. |
| 14—Goanna Loop | Easy | 2.5km | 20min | A mostly easy loop where you can test your cornering skills while traveling through open eucalypt forest. |
| 3—Petes | Intermediate | 2.2km | 15min | Climb your way further into the park along this intermediate ride. Keep an eye out for lace monitors taking refuge on the trunks of the stringybark trees. This trail is also a great final ride back to the car park due to its slight and consistent downhill grade. |
| 4—Rocky Horror | Intermediate | 2.5km | 20min | Experience the true rough terrain of Nerang National Park along this trail, as you dive down into the steep gullies and climb back out again. See how the vegetation changes as you approach the creek lines. |
| 5—Three Hills | Intermediate | 2.7km | 20min | Starting at the junction of Centre Road and Castle Hill break, the Three Hills trail winds through open forest of grey gum and tallowwood, habitat for the regionally-vulnerable koala. Riders will navigate a mix of natural rock areas, fast and flowing trail, technical features and a couple of very short but tough pinch climbs. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. |
| 10—Barneys | Intermediate | 520m | 5min | A short trail on a relatively steep slope that will test your skills. Negotiate rock-gardens, log drops and flowing corners to complete this trail. |
| 11—Exit | Intermediate | 920m | 10min | A more direct route to leave ‘Happy Valley’ than the meandering ‘Goanna’ trail. |
| 12—Happy Valley | Intermediate | 2.3km | 20min | Travel through open eucalypt and casuarina forest with numerous small creek crossings. |
| 15—Wombats | Intermediate | 1.5km | 15min | Wombats provides an alternative climbing trail to ‘Elevator’ or an alternative descending trail to ‘B+Bs’. |
| 16—Wombats Connection | Intermediate | 280m | 2min | As the name suggests, Wombats Connection joins ‘Wombats’ and ‘Happy Valley’ trails. |
| 17—B+Bs | Intermediate | 310m | 2min | A descending trail, B+Bs takes you down into ‘Happy Valley’ for a quicker ride back to the trailhead and car park. |
| 18—Baileys | Intermediate | 3.8km | 45min | Following one of the ridgelines through the middle of the park, Baileys links the trails in the eastern section of the park to those further west. |
| 19—Elevator | Intermediate | 1km | 10min | A climbing trail to get you out of the valley and up to ‘Baileys’ or the trails further west. |
| 20—Explosions | Intermediate | 2.7km | 20min | This trail runs close to the quarry where explosions can occasionally be heard on blasting days. |
| 6—GC2018 Loop 1 | Difficult | 1.2km return | 10min | One way trail—refer to map. Starting from the trail head, get some air and test your skills on this jump style trail specifically designed for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. The loop is completed by returning up the shared trail to do it all again. |
| 7—GC2018 Loop 2 | Difficult | 1.3km return | 25min | One way trail—refer to map. Test your fitness and technical climbing limits on this physically demanding trail. This loop was designed for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, to test the strongest riders in the world. |
| 8—GC2018 Loop 3 | Difficult | 1.5km return | 25min | One way trail—refer to map. Climb up a meandering trail before turning around and heading down a roller coaster full of humps, bumps, jumps and berms. |
| 13—Taipan | Difficult | 1.2km | 15min | One way trail—refer to map. A high-speed descending trail with technical features, rock slabs and jumps—for the skilled thrill-seekers only! |
Ride safely and responsibly
- Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
- Make sure your bike is suitable—trails are designed for mountain bikes, not road bikes.
- Ride according to trail conditions.
- Slow down and warn other riders when approaching. Follow the give-way code.
- Avoid skidding and sliding around turns and downhill to prevent collisions and minimise trail damage.
- Keep trails in good condition by not riding during or immediately after wet weather.
- Do not ride in areas closed to mountain biking.
Picnic and day-use areas
There are no picnic or day-use areas within Nerang National Park.
Viewing wildlife
The national park provides quality habitat for locally-significant species such as the koala and short-beaked echidna, vulnerable species such as the powerful owl and glossy black-cockatoo and also the near-threatened common death adder.
- Planned works in Nerang National Park 20 February to 17 May 2024