Backyard Tourist: Coolangatta to Point Danger walking along the Queensland boarder

SWAP your hiking boots for your thongs and take a break from the bush for the beach. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of green beside the golden sands as you walk a coastal route from Coolangatta to Point Danger.

The sunset from Rainbow Bay. Picture by Catherine Wiggins

SWAP your hiking boots for your thongs and take a break from the bush for the beach.

But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of green beside the golden sands as you walk a coastal route from Coolangatta to Point Danger.

Taking in the sights from the bottom of Queensland to the top of NSW, the walk is only two kilometres, but factor in plenty of time to soak in those unbeatable views, snap some social media posts and maybe drink in the experience with the aid of a few ales at a beachside eatery.

Point Danger, nothing dangerous about this view Picture by Jo Staveley

Time your walk for late afternoon so you can make the most of a magical seaside sunset, starting out on the path that runs parallel to Coolangatta Beach, heading towards Greenmount Beach.

As you round Greenmount headland, take a look around. As well as surfers enjoying this legendary beach, you have views to the east of Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks surf beaches; to the north you can see all the way up the coast Surfers Paradise and even South Stradbroke Island; while to the west you can get glimpses of the green cauldron of McPherson Range.

Ocean vibes on Greenmount Hill. Photo: Jo Staveley

Continue on the path past Rainbow Bay Surf Club — there’s a playground for kids to enjoy if you want to take a moment to savour the peace.

A whale swimming around surfers at Kirra and Coolangatta beach. Photographer: Michael Ross.

Next up is famous Snapper Rocks, home of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro surfing contests, and then it’s up the hill to Point Danger on the state border, overlooking Duranbah.

Use your last burst of arvo energy to head back to Rainbow Bay Surf Club and enjoy a drink or dinner on the west-facing deck as you watch the sun sink over surfers and Surfers. #perfection.

The memorial to the hospital ship Centaur at Point Danger, Coolangatta. Queensland/Queensland

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO:

Have a side of history with your outdoor exploration. The Captain Cook Memorial on Boundary Street, Coolangatta is one of the most visited sights of coastal Queensland. It’s the most easterly point of mainland Queensland, delineates the border with New South Wales and recognises Captain Cook’s discovery voyage to the east coast of our state. You can also visit the adjacent Centaur Memorial and Remembrance Walk which commemorates the loss of Australian merchant and hospital shipping crews in the Coral Sea during the Second World War.

The Black Sheep Espresso Baa is one of the food offerings at The Strand Coolangatta. "Headless Horseman" Roast pumpkin with sauteed spinach, grilled mushroom and finished off with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Pic by David Clark

EAT AND DRINK:

If you’re planning on starting your walk earlier in the day, pay a visit to Black Sheep Espresso Baa. Tucked away in The Strand at Coolangatta, this whole in the wall is the perfect place for a cuppa and a bite to eat. The crew take their coffee seriously — Toby’s Estate, with single origins every week and half a dozen blends to choose from at any one time. Not to forget furry friends, Black Sheep have a ‘puppychino’, so customers can take their dogs down for a cup as well.

Humpback whale breaching. Pic: Brian Willey.

DISCOVER:

Whale-watching season is on until November, and some of the best spots to see our giant friends of the sea are from Greenmount Hill and Point Danger. Take your binoculars just in case, but if you’re lucky you’ll have a closer encounter as whales have a tendency to come in quite close to shore. Keep your eyes peeled for spouts and have cameras ready for some breeching at the beach. If you want to get even closer, check out one of our many whale-watching tours before the season ends.