Holiday houses in Runaway Bay

About an hour south of Brisbane, this charming suburb of the Gold Coast is famous for its network of crisscrossing canals, gentle beaches, and unique homes located on the water with canal access. The nearby beaches are the biggest draw, protected from the ocean by Stradbroke Island, which runs along the bay’s eastern coast, making Runaway Bay a little slice of heaven for boaters and anglers thanks to the area’s tranquil waters. The town is also a short drive from many of the most popular attractions of the Gold Coast, including a few of the most thrilling theme parks in Australia. If waves are what you’re after, some of the Gold Coast’s best swells are located just a short drive away, including Surfer’s Paradise and Burleigh Beach. Nearby, Queensland’s national parks, such as Burleigh Head and Nerang National Forest, offer ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife spotting.

The Gold Coast has beautiful weather year-round. The winter months usually experience the lowest temperatures and rainfall, which is great if you want to take advantage of the outdoor activities. This is the busiest time so it is a good idea to book your accommodations in Runaway Bay well in advance. During the summer, the humidity can get very high and the area sees a lot of rain. The spring and autumn are nice times to visit as the weather is still pleasant and all of the top attractions are quieter than they are during the winter months. There are many festivals and events in the Gold Coast throughout the year, including a large sports competition in November, the Bleach Festival, one of the Gold Coast’s largest cultural arts festivals, in August, and the Gold Coast 500, a motor racing event in December, so it is best to time your trip wisely.

The Spit

The Spit is home to many of the Gold Coast’s top attractions as well as the most northern Gold Coast beach and can be easily accessed via Runaway Bay. On the Spit, you can go swimming, rent a pontoon boat, stroll the long pier, or simply hang out in the soft, powdery sand.

Nerang National Park and State Forest

Located in the Gold Coast hinterland around 25 minutes from Runaway Bay, Nerang State Forest features interesting bushwalking opportunities through pristine landscape, relaxing recreational trails, and exhilarating mountain bike tracks running through Casuarina groves. If you keep an eye out you may spot a koala high up in the trees or an echidna on the forest floor.

Burleigh Head National Park

Burleigh Head National Park is a natural headland located around 40 minutes from Runaway Bay. Here, you can find hiking paths along the foreshore that meander past six-sided basalt columns and through the rainforest, grasslands, and mangroves that are home to some of Queensland’s flora and fauna. You may even see a whale as it glides by in the ocean far below.