Burleigh Head National Park

The track around the headland takes maybe forty minutes, but most people stretch it to twice that. Surfers carve up the break below, lizards sun themselves on the rocks beside you, and the path cuts between open ocean cliff edges and pockets of dense coastal rainforest. It's a genuine contrast in a short distance. The walk is well-maintained and not particularly demanding, which means you'll share it with everyone from trail runners to grandparents. Cultural markers along the route acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land. When you come around to the Burleigh side, you can push up to the summit or head straight for a cold beer at one of the nearby spots. The signs do warn about falling rocks along sections of the trail, worth noting if you're inclined to linger beneath the cliff faces.