Coombabah Lakelands Bird Walk

Come birding with us at one of the best birding locations on the Gold Coast! This event is free and open to call LGBTQIA+ folks and allies of all experience levels. Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area is a 1200 hectare reserve of wetland, mangrove and eucalypt forest that supports over 239 recorded bird species on eBird. With several trails to explore, we will begin with the Malaleuca Boardwalk, a well, maintained boardwalk with high chances of seeing kingfishers, fairy-wrens, tawny frogmouths, wallabies, kangaroos and koalas! Upon completion of this walk, we will continue over to the Koala Trail to explore further areas within the reserve. 📍Find Us: We will meet at the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area at the entrance to the Melaleuca Boardwalk, along Lakeland Drives. Google maps link here. There is ample carparking, however public transport to the area is limited, with the nearest bus stop (719) 750m away, so carpooling is encouraged. Accessibility: The site includes a mixture of well-maintained boardwalks and compact gravel paths. Pathways may deteriorate and become uneven and muddy if rain has recently occurred. We welcome those of all ages joining us out in nature, but please note anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a trusted adult. This is a pet-free event. Facilities: There is a large grassed area for picnic rugs if people wish. However, there are no toilet, drinking or eating facilities so please ensure you bring enough water and snacks for the event. Public toilets can be found within a 10min drive of the carpark. Safety: Adequate sun protection and insect repellent are recommended. Please be mindful of snakes, leeches, ticks, mosquitoes and midges and wear enclosed footwear. Please Bring: Hat and SPF sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks and plenty of water, enclosed and comfortable walking shoes; binoculars or a camera with long-range zoom are highly recommended. Bring a picnic blanket/chair and arts/craft/reading/other activities if you wish! We Acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Coombabah Lakelands, the Kombumerri and Yugambeh Peoples and their Elders. We pay our respect to all First Nations folks in our community, and invite birders to walk with mindfulness and respect.