looking over a river to a cityscape

City Lakes

The Gold Coast has the largest constructed canal network in the southern hemisphere with over 135 constructed lakes and more than 400 kilometres of canals. A significant number of these are located between Tallebudgera Creek and the Nerang River. These are covered here.

Note that keys, canals and lakes are common along all of the major Gold Coast waterways.

Lake Hugh Muntz was designed as part of the area's stormwater drainage system, and is not a recreational lake. It is nestled in the middle of Mermaid Waters but is not directly connected with the main canals.

This lake often has blue-green algal blooms. Some of these algal blooms affect water quality and can be harmful to you. Care must be taken with any intended use of the lake. Please refer to the Gold Coast Council page for more info.

There are a few other lakes not directly connected to the main waterways such as Pizzey Park Lake that are more prone to algal blooms.

Bond University Lake
Lake Orr
Reedy Creek
Silvabank Lake
Pelican Lake
Swan Lake
Burleigh Lake
West Burleigh Lake (Burleigh Cove)
Lake Heron
Miami Lake
Pizzey Park Lake
Dunlop Canal
Lake Lido
Robina South Lake
Robina West Lake
Robina Waters Channel
Lake Wonderland
Lake Rumrunner
Lake Intrepid
Lake Hugh Muntz
Clear Island Lake North
Clear Island Lake West
Clear Island Lake East
Bollard Basin
Mudgeeraba Creek
Saxonvale Channel
Mermaid Canal
Little Tallebudgera Creek

Varsity Lakes and Burleigh Waters

map

The main access spot appears to be Lake Orr Boat Ramp, Varsity Lakes.

Assuming you paddled a direct lined around most lakes and canals, you will be looking at least 25 km of flatwater paddling.

Clear Island and Robina Waters

map

Clear Island Waters is one of the largest lake systems on the coast. These lakes are bounded by Markeri Street to the south, Bermuda Street (Southport Burleigh Rd) to the east, Nerang Broadbeach Road to the north and Robina Parkway to the west. In just this precinct alone there are 25 kilometres of shoreline.

There are 3 main lakes in Robina Waters – South Lake, West Lake and Clear Island Waters. The lake system is bounded by Markeri Street to the north, Bermuda Street to the east, Cottesloe Drive to the south and Robina Parkway to the west. In just this precinct alone there are 20 kilometres of shoreline and a water depth ranging from 3 metres to 10 metres.

The main access point appears to be the Car Park on Boowaggan Rd, just off Robina Parkway.

Assuming you paddled a direct line around most lakes and creeks, you will be looking at least 50 km of flatwater paddling.

Boardbeach and Mermaid Waters

map

There are two main access points, the Convention Centre Boat Ramp, TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach Waters that can be busy and an old boat ramp beside the Australian Institute of Sport Canoeing Centre at Pizzey Park Lake, Miami

Assuming you paddled a direct lined around most lakes, canals and creeks, without going into every side canal, you will be looking at around 30 km of flatwater paddling looping around the area.

Map

Map of key features within Varsity Lakes and Burleigh Waters.

  • Lake Rosser
  • Lake Cappabella
  • Little Tallebudgera Creek
  • Saxonvale Channel
  • Lake Intrepid
  • Clear Island Lake North
  • Mermaid Canal
  • Clear Island Lake West
  • Bollard Basin
  • Clear Island Lake East
  • Lake Rumrunner
  • Lake Hugh Muntz
  • Robina Waters Channel
  • Lake Wonderland
  • Dunlop Canal
  • West Lake
  • Robina South Lake
  • Pizzey Park Lake
  • Pizzey Park
  • Mudgeeraba Creek
  • Lake Lido
  • Miami Lake
  • Pelican Lake
  • Lake Heron
  • Lake Orr
  • Bond University Lake, Varsity Lakes
  • Burleigh Lake
  • Silvabank Lake
  • Swan Lake
  • West Burleigh Lake
  • Reedy Creek
  • Boat Ramps
  • Access Points
  • Weir or Low Head Dams
Book cover

Beacon to Beacon Guide Charts

Southern Gold Coast

by Maritime Safety Queensland

This free booklet from Maritime Safety Queensland contains nautical maps from southern Gold Coast to Southport including the Nerang River.

More Info

Book cover

Gold Coast Maps Charts

by Alan Davison

Customised topological maps.

More Info

Lake

Quick Stats

Length
400 km plus
Navigable
350 km plus
First Nations
Bundjalung
Council Areas
Gold Coast City Council
Banner image is a view over the Nerang River to Surfers Paradise from Southport.
© Simon Morris
Some rights reserved CC BY-ND
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Gentle Breeze
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Strongest Gust: 24 kph N at 11:43am
0.0 mm since 9am
Today
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Sun and Twilight Times

05:50—17:37 / 11hr 46m
Civil: 05:28—17:59 / 12hr 30m
Nautical: 05:01—18:26 / 13hr 25m

Moon Info

Waxing Crescent
8:19am 10:03pm