Like Walking? Then You’ll Love This Best Ever Cooloongatta To Froggies Beach Oceanway Walk

Are you up for a wonderful walk taking a look at the sensational Gold Coast’s Oceanway. Tag along with me as we take a stroll along the Oceanway, a beautiful beach walk on the Southern Gold Coast. With an early start, I was greeted by a stunning Cooloongatta Beach morning, brekky & a coffee at the Cooloongatta SLSC (Surf Life Saving Club) to kick off the day, then we’re all set, so Let’s Get A Move On.

The Gold Coast Oceanway Walk is a 36-kilometre network of pathways connecting the Spit at the Gold Coast Seaway to Point Danger at the New South Wales border. Thousands of locals and visitors use the Oceanway for jogging, walking, and cycling, while others take advantage of the free BBQ’s, playgrounds, picnic tables, toilets, showers, beach access and Lookout Points that are scattered along the way. Today we are walking one of the most picturesque sections of the Oceanway – Cooloongatta to Froggies Beach (in the shadows of Point Danger).

Had enough of the Sun, Surf, and Sand and wondering what to do that (doesn’t include shopping) won’t put a hole in your wallet (or max out the credit card), then you’re going to love this best ever coastline walk from Cooloongatta to Froggies Beach. There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as a beautiful seaside stroll, soaking up the local landscape and discovering a whole new side of the southern Gold Coast. Whether you prefer to ride, jog, or just dawdle along, you won’t need any extreme level of fitness to enjoy this easy beach-side walk.  Slip on your walking shoes, pack your water bottle, slip on the sunscreen & hat, because we’re undertaking one of the Gold Coast’s most panoramic coastal beach walks, and one more thing, it’s totally Free. 🔥Tip: Don’t forget the camera, the vistas are spectacular.

We began our walk at the Cooloongatta Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) which is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Park opposite Cooloongatta Beach. Now on our way, the Oceanway Walk stretched before me, invitingly warm under the morning sun. The morning was an absolute stunner, the air crisp and salty, carrying the aroma of the sea, gentle waves lapping at the ocean foreshore.

I was up and away by 8am, and so it appeared was everyone else out walking, cycling, and surfing. This walk is very popular with locals and tourists alike as it connects a number of other beaches and surfing spots. Although there were many people about, the walkway is broad enough for walkers and bikes, I never felt squeezed in or fighting for my piece of tranquility.

Take your time to breathe, relax and enjoy the scenery as you connect the dots meandering along these pathways. You’ll encounter plenty of other like-minded people doing just what you are doing, as the Oceanway is very popular with people that like to swim, surf, and lay out in the sun. You’ll pass by a variety of Playgrounds that the kids will love, with an abundance of BBQ’s, picnic shelters and seating many in shaded areas under the trees.

Walking in an easterly direction, I came to Greenmount Beach, a smaller beach with a more relaxed atmosphere. The surfers were out in force with plenty of families playing on the beach with others exploring the small rock pools that were forming around the rocky headland. Onwards pass the Greenmount Beach SLSC before the trail slightly elevates leading to some observation platforms offering endless ocean panoramas. We also had a visit from some of the local wildlife, small lizards were checking us out as we stood close by captivated by their antics. They were joined by the the local bush turkeys darting here and there in the early morning sun. Here, I stopped here for a while, just watching the world go by.

Winding our way around the Greenmount Hill Headland, you’ll find access stairs leading down to the beach at various stages along the way, discover your own little getaway where you can stop off for a cool dip or climb the stairs to some other lookouts located further up the hill, you’ll not be disappointed with your extra effort as the views are stunning.

Once around the point, you’ll arrive at Rainbow Bay, a very popular spot for swimming and surfing. I couldn’t help but marvel at the exquisite scenery that surrounded me. The water was a crystal-clear blue, the sand soft and white. I couldn’t resist getting some sand between my toes while taking a paddle along the water’s edge. If all that walking has left you a little parched or with an appetite, drop into the Rainbow Bay SLSC for a meal and a drink. The deck overlooking beautiful Rainbow Bay and the world-famous Snapper Surf break is the place to be. I have it on good authority you can also experience some of the Gold Coast’s most beautiful sunsets from this vantage point.

Next, we tracked around the corner from Rainbow Bay to Snapper Rocks. Snapper Rocks is a small rocky outcrop on the northern side of Point Danger on the Queensland/ NSW (New South Wales) border. Despite the high headland peaks and boulder size rocks that look foreboding as you approach, a mix of footpaths and boardwalks will guide you all the way. This walk is for everyone, the diverse terrain on this section can bring you up close to the pounding surf and provide ample photo opportunities, the feeling of being in mothers nature backyard is surreal.

This world-renowned surf break is a mecca for surfers from around the globe, being rated as one of the Gold Coasts best surfing locations. The waves here were much bigger and more powerful than the other beaches. I sat on the rocks for ages and watched in awe as they made their way out through the shore breaks and carved their way through the waves.

Finally, I arrive at my destination – Froggies Beach, a hidden gem tucked away between Snapper Rocks and the base of Point Danger. This beach is not as well-known as the others along the Oceanway. Sheltered from the elements surrounded by lush greenery and soaring cliffs this idyllic sandy inlet dodges a lot of the chaos of the sun-seeking and surfing crowds, it’s just a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. I spent the rest of the day sitting in the shade of a palm tree, soaking up the sun and listening to the waves. 🔥Tip: Froggies Beach is not patrolled by Surf Life Saving. Exercise extreme caution if you are swimming or surfing in this area, there has been a death and near drownings over the last few years.

This brought my Oceanway walk to an end. From here you can continue further by climbing up a very steep boardwalk behind Froggies Beach, which will get you up to Point Danger and some of the best views you will ever experience. I would suggest that if fitness or mobility is a bit of a problem that you return the way you came, after all going in reverse will give you a totally different perspective of the Oceanway Walk.

The Gold Coast is famous for long stretches of white sandy beaches and many of the world’s best surf breaks but don’t forget that the beach foreshores and many headlands also offer some of the best beach walks. Come and enjoy the beautiful Oceanway Walk, Cooloongatta – Froggies Beach, the 2.5km walk captures the best of the Southern Gold Coast’s coastline, can be shortened to suit and gives you plenty of time to take a refreshing swim or further on exploring other regions. There are plenty of Surf Clubs, great cafes and shops along the way to feed the hungry crowd. Run, walk, or cycle – Take it easy, breathe in the fresh ocean air, take in the scenery, and enjoy your walk exploring the Southern Gold Coast’s Oceanway.

This is my favourite beach walk, if you have one of your own, I would love to hear about it. Share it with us by leaving a comment below.