Federation Walk Coastal Reserve: Track, Wildlife, Parking and Dogs

Federation Walk Coastal Reserve is a stretch of native grassland, littoral rainforest and wetland pockets on the eastern side of the Gold Coast Spit, running from Philip Park near Sea World to the Seaway. If you searched for federation walk coastal reserve, this is the bushland walk behind the beach, with birdlife, frogs and reptiles living among the coastal vegetation.

The City of Gold Coast describes about 60 hectares of vegetation and nearly 3 kilometres of shoreline. The council lists no entry fee or opening hours, and describes the trails as used for bushwalking, birdwatching, running and bike riding.

Walking Federation Walk

The Federation Walk track is about 3.5 kilometres long. It starts at a fig tree in the car park opposite the Sea World entrance, planted to mark the opening in 2000. The track passes patches of rainforest, goes under the sand bypass jetty, and finishes near the southern wall of the Gold Coast Seaway, at the northern end of the Gold Coast Oceanway.

The council does not state a walking time or the track surface on the reserve page, so allow for a one-way walk of 3.5 km and the same back. Philip Park’s council page says the coastal walkway there is a wide concrete path while other trails are dirt or sand, and that some paths and trails are not wheelchair accessible.

The Oceanway section

The Federation Walk is the northern end of the 36 km Gold Coast Oceanway. At the northern end, between Main Beach and The Spit, the Oceanway connects to the natural trails of Federation Walk. Oceanway paths are shared by walkers and cyclists, 3.5 to 5 metres wide: keep left, give way to walkers and ride at a safe speed.

Wildlife and birdwatching

The reserve mixes littoral rainforest, native grassland and pockets of wetland. Wikipedia lists more than 60 bird species, including rainbow bee-eaters, white-bellied sea eagles, ospreys, bush stone-curlews and Australian pelicans. It also lists striped marsh frogs, eastern sedge frogs, green tree frogs, carpet pythons and eastern water dragons. The plants include several banksias, swamp oak, she-oak and bangalow palm.

For a bird hide and boardwalks inland, see Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area.

A walk with a community history

The track began as a community project. In 1999 a Queensland Centenary of Federation grant of $75,000 was matched by the council, and the walk was officially launched on 19 March 2000. Stage 1 opened on 21 January 2001, and the pathway opening followed on 6 June 2002. Fires lit deliberately between 2003 and 2005 destroyed planting, and volunteers and later funding rebuilt it.

The Friends of Federation Walk still support the reserve, and the council’s NaturallyGC Volunteer Landcare Program lists volunteer planting dates through the year if you would like to help.

Parking, toilets and facilities

The council’s reserve page lists a walking track and an off-leash dog area but no toilets or parking, so use the facilities at Philip Park, next to the southern end of the walk. Philip Park has two car parks: one at the northern end of the park and one south of the Sheraton Mirage. Public toilets are near the southern car park, and they are paved and accessible. The northern car park has no paved path to its toilets.

The park also has barbecues, picnic tables, outdoor showers, drinking fountains with dog bowls and an outdoor gym. The hilly part of the park is shaded by trees.

The council’s project page lists toilets, an observation tower with a raised boardwalk, a 4 metre wide Oceanway path from Philip Park to the Seaway and better parking along Seaworld Drive as planned works. Detailed designs for the tower, boardwalk and path are due in early 2027, and the overall project runs from 2025 to 2032.

Is Federation Walk dog friendly?

Dogs must be on a leash in most areas and are banned from children’s playground areas. There is an off-leash dog exercise area along The Spit beach next to the park. See The Spit Gold Coast for the beach and Doug Jennings Park for another dog-friendly stop.

Planning your visit

• Distance: about 3.5 km one way.
• Cost and hours: the council lists no entry fee and no opening hours.
• What to bring: water, a hat and sturdy shoes for dirt and sand trails.
• Current closures: the council’s reserve page lists none; check it before you go.

Getting there

The reserve is on Seaworld Drive on The Spit, about 65 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD. Start at Philip Park or the car park opposite Sea World. The City of Gold Coast reserve page has the trail maps.

Nearby

• The Spit Gold Coast – beach, dog beach and parks.
• Southport Broadwater Parklands – Rockpools and playgrounds.
• Southport – the Broadwater’s main town centre.
• More in the Nature walks and Gold Coast collections.

You might also like

• Cooyar (Toowoomba)
• Eagleby Wetlands (Logan)
• Koala Bushlands (Burbank)

Quick answers