Oxenford Lake

Oxenford Lake, formally Regatta Lake, sits inside Damian Leeding Memorial Park on the boundary of Oxenford and Upper Coomera. A flat 4 km concrete circuit runs right around the water, walked on lead, and the same reserve holds a fenced off-leash area, so one trip covers both jobs.

The walk. Four kilometres as a full loop of the lake, graded easy, and around fifty minutes at a steady pace. The path is concrete the whole way and completely flat, which makes it workable for prams, wheelchairs and dogs who need even footing. Mangroves line parts of the edge and the rest opens onto mown grass.

The rules. Dogs are welcome on lead on the lake circuit, under City of Gold Coast rules. They are not permitted in the childrens playgrounds or the designated barbecue areas, both of which sit right beside the path, so the lead matters more here than the open ground suggests. Council also requires that a dog in public is under the control of someone at least seventeen and wearing its registration tag. The fenced off-leash exercise area within the park is the one place the lead comes off.

Water. The lake is tidal and salt water, which surprises people. Dogs can splash at the shallow edges, but the bottom turns to soft mud in places and mangrove mud stains and smells. Rinse the dog before it gets back in the car.

Hazards. Shade is patchy on long stretches of the circuit, and Queensland sun on bare concrete gets hot enough to hurt paws well before it feels unbearable to you.

Getting there. Take the Pacific Motorway to exit 57 at Tamborine Oxenford Road, or exit 54. Free parking runs along Michael Shelley Way, and the boat trailer bays are enforced, so do not take the easy space. Route 727 buses stop on Tamborine Oxenford Road, and Helensvale station is a ten to fifteen minute drive. Toilets, barbecues, sheltered tables and two playgrounds are on site, along with a boat ramp for kayaks and rowing craft.

Nearby with the dogs. Damian Leeding Memorial Park Fenced Dog Park is the off-leash run inside this same reserve. Boatshed Brew is the on-site coffee with lakeside seating, and BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park at Helensvale takes dogs.

When to go. Early mornings or weekdays. Saturday mornings are the busiest window of the week and the path gets crowded with runners, riders and prams. In summer, go at first light and stay off the concrete by mid morning. Good for seniors, and for any dog who does better with a predictable flat surface underfoot.

Sources

• Damian Leeding Memorial Park - City of Gold Coast · www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
• Oxenford Lake, Queensland, Australia - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com
• Oxenford Lake Walk - The Beagle Club of Queensland · beagleclubqld.org

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.