Hope Island Gold Coast: Marina, Parks, Golf and Getting There

Hope Island is a waterside suburb on the northern Gold Coast, with canal and river parks, a marina village, a public golf course and the big theme parks a short drive away. It is about 50 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD, and it makes an easy half day or a base for a longer Gold Coast trip.

The suburb sits between the Coomera River and Saltwater Creek, which is why so much of a visit here is about the water: a launch ramp and a swimming spot at the river, picnics beside the canals, and lunch overlooking the boats. It is named after Captain Louis Hope, who was granted the island at the mouth of the Coomera River in 1867 to grow sugar.

Parks and waterfront at Hope Island

Hope Island has three council parks worth a stop, all on the water. They are free, and each has toilets, a playground and picnic spots.

Sickle Park

Sickle Park, at 19 Sickle Avenue, overlooks the Hope Island North Canal. The playground has a 12-metre net tunnel and a smaller structure with a slide, spinner and swings, and there are barbecues and picnic shelters facing the canal. A walking track loops the park, and there is a fitness station, a big grassy field and three tennis courts.

The council asks for close supervision of children here because of the canal.

Charles Holm Park

Charles Holm Park, at 46 Chindrina Street, is on the Coomera River beside a busy boat ramp. There is a designated swimming area about 400 metres from the ramp towards the northern end, with a picnic shelter and barbecue beside the swimming beach.

The playground is shade covered, and the path around the park suits bikes and scooters.

Banksia Park

Banksia Park, at 29 Crescent Avenue, runs along to Boykambil Esplanade South. It has barbecues, picnic shelters, a playground, a basketball court, and a boat ramp and jetty on Coombabah Creek. There are toilets at each end, one of them accessible.

Hope Island Marina and lunch on the water

Hope Island Marina has berths for boats from 12 to 30 metres, with boutique shops and dining a short stroll or cruise away. You do not need a boat to enjoy the waterfront and the view of the yachts.

The marina sits at the northern end of the Broadwater, about a 40-minute cruise north of the Gold Coast Seaway. For a bigger resort feel, Sanctuary Cove is about 10 minutes away by car and has its own marina village and golf courses.

Golf at Hope Island

The Links Hope Island is an 18-hole course with public tee times every day, though Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings are restricted. Visitors book online up to 12 months ahead, and an 18-hole round is listed at $175 a person ($95 for juniors). Saturday bookings need a Golf Australia handicap. The course has a cafe, Sol Cafe at Links.

Check the Links Hope Island website for current prices and tee times before you go.

Theme parks and other days out nearby

Hope Island is a handy base for the northern Gold Coast attractions. Warner Bros. Movie World is about 15 minutes by car, and Wet’n’Wild and Paradise Country are in the same precinct. See the theme parks page for the rest.

For a bigger waterfront day out, Southport Broadwater Parklands and Paradise Point are further south along the water.

Planning your visit

• How long: Two to three hours for a park and a lunch at the marina, or a full day with a swim and a round of golf.
• What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat, swimmers and a towel if you are heading to Charles Holm Park.
• Cost: The parks are free. Golf and meals are extra.
• Dogs: Dogs must be on a lead unless a sign says otherwise, and they are not allowed in children’s playground areas. Sickle Park has a signed off-leash area, where dogs must be under effective control.
• Accessibility: All three parks have connecting pathways or accessible toilets, and Hope Island station has lifts to each platform.

Getting to Hope Island and parking

By car, Hope Island is about 50 minutes from Brisbane CBD, via the Pacific Motorway and Hope Island Road. The three parks each have on-site parking: bays on Sickle Avenue and Park Cove Boulevard at Sickle Park, off Akoonah Street at Charles Holm Park (with bays for boat trailers), and in front of Banksia Park Hall and along Bert Hood Street at Banksia Park.

By public transport, Hope Island station is on the Gold Coast line between Coomera and Helensvale, on Hope Island Road. It has lifts to each platform and a 210-space car park. Three bus routes meet the trains there:

• Route 709: Helensvale to Hope Island via the station.
• Route 725: Coomera station to Sanctuary Cove via the station, with a stop at Hope Island Shopping Centre on Santa Barbara Road.
• Route 711: Southport to the station via Runaway Bay and Paradise Point.

Plan your trip on the Translink Hope Island station page or call 13 12 30.

Nearby

• Sanctuary Cove – the gated resort community to the north, with its own marina village and golf.
• Warner Bros. Movie World – the film-themed park, about 15 minutes away.
• Paradise Point – a Broadwater suburb with beach and park, further south.
• iFLY Gold Coast – indoor skydiving.
• Things to do on the Gold Coast, plus the Gold Coast and parks pages for more ideas.

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