ANIMAL MAGIC IN TUGUN
A DAY out to the Tugun Hill Conservation Area is like a well blended wine.
Giving the best of both worlds, its location bordering Currumbin and Tugun means it is a stone’s throw from the beach for a quick dip, while its bushland makes for an interesting walk.
It’s perfect for a day out on the southern Gold Coast, not least because there is ample opportunity to do a bit of wildlife spotting.
The park is home to native birds, koalas, gliders, possums, northern brown bandicoots, swamp wallabies, the common planigale (a carnivorous, marsupial mouse) and an adorable, but slightly odd shrew-like creature called a yellow-footed antechinus.
Fun fact: the male antechinus gets into such a frenzy while mating that it will die due to stress before it’s one year old.
Just thought I’d throw that in there.
Once you’re done trying to find that unique creature, follow the gum-lined trails throughout the park.
Some sections are reminiscent of rainforest, while other parts will be more familiar bushland. You will even find some views of the southern Gold Coast as you peek between the tall trees, if you know where to look.
For those who want to check out the tracks on a bike, that works too, but keep in mind the trails have steps and steep pinches.
While the walks are not particularly long and should only take a few hours, the park trails can be steep in areas, so don’t forget to take your good shoes and a bottle of water.
And a camera of course. You wouldn’t want to miss seeing that bizarre shrew.