| Cost | Free public walking trail |
|---|---|
| Location | Coolangatta/Tweed Heads, NSW/QLD Border |
| Pet Friendly | Check the Camps App for current details |
| Facilities | Surf clubs, playgrounds, picnic tables, cafe (DBar), viewing platforms, boardwalks, seating areas |
| Vehicle Access | Parking available at Coolangatta Surf Club and Ebenenzer Park area |
| In Camps App | See Camps App for nearby campsites |
Walking past the Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse forms part of my favourite trek on the Tweed…
2026 UPDATE: after storm damage and flooding in 2022, the Ebenenzer Park and Little Duranbah Beach walkway has now been fixed. It’s looking great with not only a new pathway but also extra seating and connection to parking in the area. Since I wrote this article, there’s also more changes to the Lighthouse with more viewing and a new cafe. Definitely check it out.
I start near the Coolangatta Surf Club, and walk south around Greenmount. If tides are right you can walk on the beach. I normally stay on the path, I love how the path here is extra wide.
Walk past Greenmount Surf Club, there are a few viewing platforms on Greenmount – you can even walk right up to the top of it. Make sure you stop and watch the surfers.
Follow the path or beach through Rainbow Bay, there are great playgrounds all along this trail, if your kids are with you.
If you walk on the beach side of Rainbow Bay Surf Club, it will take you to the fabled Snapper Rocks, home of the Quiksilver Pro. It’s hard to find accommodation when this event is on each February/March.
Again make a stop here. Watch the waves crash over the rocks. You’ll see the old concrete slabs – that was a salt water swimming pool, the Snapper Rocks Sea Baths as well as shark pools. We used to bus here from school for lessons. At least the green frog is still there – can you spot him?
Now follow the boardwalk to Point Danger. Mum and Dad would take a bucket of Kentucky Fried up here for tea in the car. It is still a beautiful place for a picnic. Come back here and choose a spot on the lawn or a sheltered picnic table. Cafe DBar is an institution here as well.
Continue on the trail down to Duranbah Beach (the most northerly beach in NSW, and D-bah is a favourite for surfers). This is where the old waterslide was located in Tweed Heads. I once did a waterslide-athon fundraiser here for school – we could also choose beach walking for sport! Walk on the groynes if you have extra time. You’ll often see fishermen here, and the trawlers heading out to sea.
Follow the path around the Jack Evans Boat Harbour. It honours the first keeper and trainer of dolphins in Australia. His local show ran for almost 20 years – one of the first tourist attractions on the Gold Coast.
Choose two ways to return to your destination. If you walk through Bay Street (where the traffic lights are), your path takes you conveniently past our favourite, Bread Social – where you can collect breakfast, a coffee or your sourdough.
Or return through the border crossing monument, before the Twin Towns RSL Club. Follow Griffith Street, and turn right into Dutton to have you back at Coolangatta Surf Club.
Does this walk bring back memories for you?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the walk from Coolangatta to Point Danger?
The walk starts near Coolangatta Surf Club and continues south around Greenmount, through Rainbow Bay, past Snapper Rocks to Point Danger, then down to Duranbah Beach and around Jack Evans Boat Harbour. You can return via Bay Street or the border crossing monument. Check the Camps App for current details on exact distance.
Can I walk on the beach or do I need to stay on the path?
You can walk on the beach if tides are right, particularly around Greenmount. However, the path is extra wide and offers a great alternative. The route includes boardwalks and pathways throughout the journey.
Are there places to stop for food and drinks along the walk?
Yes, there are several options including Cafe DBar at Point Danger (described as an institution) and Bread Social on Bay Street where you can collect breakfast, coffee or sourdough on your return journey.
Is the Ebenenzer Park walkway open after the storm damage?
Yes, as of the 2026 update, after storm damage and flooding in 2022, the Ebenenzer Park and Little Duranbah Beach walkway has been fixed. It now features a new pathway, extra seating and connection to parking in the area.
Are there facilities for families with children?
Yes, there are great playgrounds all along the trail through Rainbow Bay. There are also viewing platforms at Greenmount, picnic tables and lawn areas at Point Danger, and multiple surf clubs along the route.
What are the main attractions along this walking trail?
Key attractions include the Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse with new viewing areas and cafe, Greenmount viewing platforms, Snapper Rocks (home of the Quiksilver Pro), the historic green frog and old Sea Baths concrete slabs at Snapper Rocks, Point Danger with picnic facilities, and Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
When is the Quiksilver Pro event at Snapper Rocks?
The Quiksilver Pro is held each February/March at Snapper Rocks. Accommodation is hard to find during this event, so plan ahead if you’re visiting during this time.
What is the historical significance of Jack Evans Boat Harbour?
Jack Evans Boat Harbour honours the first keeper and trainer of dolphins in Australia. His local dolphin show ran for almost 20 years and was one of the first tourist attractions on the Gold Coast.
