Schuster Park Peninsula Walk

Gold Coast treasure, Tallebudgera Creek winds west of Burleigh and provides some great creek-side trails to explore.  Tucked between Nineteenth Avenue and Tallebudgera Creek Road you’ll find Schuster Park which provides some wonderful recreational opportunities.

This 70-hectare piece of land was one of the first sites settled on the Gold Coast and was once a successful dairy farm owned by the Schuster family.  Now a popular park, this huge space boasts a variety of exercise areas and walking trails.

Pedestrians can access the park by crossing the walking bridge on Nineteenth Avenue at the Saffron Street roundabout, alternatively, cars can access parking inside the park via Heather Street.  Note though that the vehicle access gate is locked at 6pm.

The carpark is located beside one of the shaded picnic and barbeque area and one of the most impressive and inspired children’s playground anywhere on the coast.  Here you’ll also find the amenities block and signage showing maps of the park.

You can stroll along the park’s paved path which winds passed shoreline fishermen, boat anglers and through off-leash dog exercise areas, but the most enjoyable walking trail is found passed the playground on the peninsula area of Schuster Park.

The peninsula is a conservation area, known as Dervo’s Nature Reserve and is bordered by Elanora Wetlands Reserve on the north side of Tallebudgera Creek. 

The information sign welcomes you “to a wilder place” - a natural sanctuary across a narrow land bridge for plants, animals and adventurous people (no dogs).

On the peninsula, a winding boardwalk will take you past saltmarshes, mangroves and Tallebudgera Creek.  Take your time on the 1.4 km trail and immerse yourself in the wetlands experience.

Tread lightly and listen for humming cicadas, lapping waves and calling birds.  Look for Semaphore crabs scuttling along the creek bank and toadfish swimming among the mangroves.  The peninsula is bustling with nature.

In springtime, look for bees and swamp tiger butterflies on blossoms and birds (Azure Kingfishers, Curlew Sandpipers, Eastern Great Egrets and Mangrove Honeyeaters) coming to roost. 

Winter brings a different scent to the park as the sulphur from the wetlands mangroves seeds fill the air – it is a positive sign that the wetlands are breaking down organic matter.

Although close to the suburbs, this quiet refuge supports a variety of species, with the hollows providing important habitats for birds, reptiles and small mammals like the sugar glider and micro-bat.

Track Length: 1. 4km circuit (45 minutes)

Track Difficulty: Easy walk, boardwalk and unsealed track.

Facilities: There are public toilets, bubblers, shaded picnic spots, children’s playground, barbeques and car parking via Heather Street.

By Michaela Lyons