Tallebudgera Creek Mangrove Boardwalk (Tchoobey Reserve)

One of the most delightful walks of the Southern Gold Coast, Tallebudgera Creek Mangrove Boardwalk is a treasure hidden behind David Fleay Wildlife Park in Tchoobey Reserve.

Tallebudgera Creek is one of the Gold Coast’s most pristine waterways, and alongside its crystal-clear waters is one of the ‘must do walking tracks’ on the Gold Coast—the Tallebudgera Creek Mangrove Boardwalk.

Suitable for all fitness levels, this wonderful walk links the Tallebudgera Conservation Park with Ocean Parade Bush Reserve.  While you can start at either end of this relatively easy 1.6km walk, the parking is easier at David Fleays Wildlife Park beside Tchoobey Reserve, rather than the limited spaces at the Ocean Parade end of the walk.

Allow 30 minutes to walk one-way and 60 minutes to walk the circuit, to Ocean Parade and back to Tchoobey Reserve.  Please note that domestic animals and cyclists are not allowed.

Starting at David Fleays Wildlife Park carpark, cross the boardwalk towards the park entrance and instead of taking the switchbacks up to the Wildlife Park gate, veer right and stay on the boardwalk which takes you closer to the creek and the wonderful world of the creek-side mangrove forests.

On your walk, interpretive signs will tell you about the area’s Indigenous culture and the important role of mangrove communities.

Walkers are treated to abundant wildlife­—watch out for Mangrove Honeyeaters, Eastern Great Egrets, Wood ducks, Shearwaters, Pelicans and Cormorants picking through the calm waters, as well as Semaphore crabs scuttling underneath the 250 metre Boardwalk as it winds through the mangroves.

Once you pass the Conservation Park gate, you will reach the unsealed track and the vegetation changes. 

Amongst the immense trees, listen for the buzz of cicadas, the screeching of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, the scratching of the Brush Turkeys and the cry of the Barking Owl.  If you’re lucky you might spot a Tawny Frogmouth or a Koala in the taller trees.

This section of the trail follows the creek, with a mix of uneven tracks and stairs, providing the most spectacular views across the turquoise waters to the Pacific Ocean, before winding higher through the rainforest of the ridge and finally to the trail end at Ocean parade. 

Once at Ocean Parade, you can return the way you came or continue on to Burleigh Head National Park, just a short 15 minute downhill walk.

Track Length: 1.6km one-way (30 minutes) or 3.2km circuit (60 minutes)

Track Difficulty: Easy walk, boardwalk and unsealed track. Some uneven ground, steps and hills.

Facilities: There are bubblers at either end of the walk, a handful of parks at Ocean Parade and ample parking at David Fleays Wildlife Park, Tchoobey Reserve.

By Michaela Lyons