Currumbin Rock Pools: Creek Swimming, Facilities and Getting There

Currumbin Rock Pools is a creek swimming spot beside Currumbin Creek Road in Currumbin Valley, in the Gold Coast hinterland. It is a grassy park with a pebbly shoreline, shaded water and a picnic shelter, about 10 to 15 minutes’ drive from Currumbin Beach.

It is a popular summer stop for Gold Coast families: spread a rug on the grass, swim in the creek, cook on the barbecues and walk across the road for a coffee.

Swimming at Currumbin Rock Pools

The pools are a stretch of Currumbin Creek, with rocky banks, a sandy and pebbly edge and trees overhanging the water. People wade, float and swim here, and there is plenty of lawn at the water’s edge for picnic rugs.

The City of Gold Coast lists the rock pools among the 25 swim sites it monitors for water quality, and publishes a live prediction for each site on its recreational water quality page. Check it before you go. Council tests each site about every 18 days, with extra tests after heavy rain, and updates the predictions every 4 hours. Stormwater can make water unsuitable for swimming for a short time after heavy rain, and council also advises against swimming with an open wound or infection.

Safety: do not jump from the rocks

Jumping from the rocks into the pools is dangerous. Signs at the site warn that it could cause death or serious injury, and people have died after jumping, including a man who jumped about 15 metres in 2016. Keep to the shallow water and keep children within arm’s reach.

Facilities: toilets, barbecues and picnic shelter

Council lists toilets, including a disability toilet, barbecues, a picnic shelter and picnic tables at the park. The toilet block sits beside the shelter, close to the water.

There is a cafe directly across the road at 1206 Currumbin Creek Road, so you do not need to pack all your food.

Walks and exploring the creek

Council suggests the park for exploring nature and walking as well as swimming and picnics. The creek bed is rocky and the banks are lined with big tree roots, so wear shoes you can get wet and take it slowly on the stones.

Is Currumbin Rock Pools dog friendly?

Dogs must be on a leash unless signs say otherwise, and they are prohibited in children’s playground areas. Council keeps a map of off-leash dog areas elsewhere on the Gold Coast.

Make a day of it on Currumbin Creek Road

If the kids want a playground, there are two council parks further along the same road. Robert Neumann Park, at 449 Currumbin Creek Road, has a nature-based playground with two mega slides, a toddler slide, climbing options and swings, plus a sheltered barbecue area, toilets and a water tap. It sits beside the creek and is home to ducks and geese.

Apex Park, also on Currumbin Creek Road, has a playground, picnic tables, toilets and a drinking fountain. Dogs are not allowed in the playground areas at either park.

Planning your visit

• How long: an hour for a quick swim; most of a day if you bring a picnic and cook on the barbecues.
• Best time: warm, dry days, and not for several days after heavy rain (see the water quality tip above).
• What to bring: swimmers, towels, a rug, sunscreen, water shoes for the rocky creek bed, and food if you plan to use the barbecues.
• Cost: council’s park page lists no entry fee.
• Accessibility: council lists a disability toilet. It publishes no other access details for the park or the creek edge.

Getting to Currumbin Rock Pools

The park is on Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley, about 100 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 1 hour 25 minutes by car without traffic. From Currumbin Beach it is about a 10 to 15 minute drive up the valley.

No Translink bus route up Currumbin Creek Road into the valley turned up in timetables. Plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.

The official details are on the City of Gold Coast’s Currumbin Rock Pools page, and the live swim-site predictions are on the recreational water quality page. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Robert Neumann Park (council page) – playground and barbecues up the road.
• Natural Bridge, Springbrook – a hinterland rainforest walk to a waterfall and glow worm cave.
• Burleigh Heads Beach – a patrolled coastal swim if the creek is off limits after rain.
• Gold Coast Regional Botanical Gardens – gardens and lakes for a second stop.
• Currumbin Sanctuary – A not-for-profit wildlife park on the southern Gold Coast with koalas, kangaroos, daily shows, miniature trains and free lorikeet feeding, about 75 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD.
• Tallebudgera Creek – A calm, tidal creek at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast with swimming, parks, a playground, paddling and a patrolled beach next door, about 90 km by road from the Brisbane CBD.

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