Gold Coast Oceanway construction

Project typeBridges & shared paths

The Gold Coast Oceanway is a shared path network for walking, cycling and wheeling, stretching from Coolangatta to The Spit.

It links beaches, parks and coastal neighbourhoods, offering locals and visitors a safer, healthier and more enjoyable way to move along our iconic coastline.

Completing the Oceanway

In May 2025, Council endorsed an Oceanway Completion Strategy that supports our continued planning. The strategy focuses on improving safety, enhancing connections and protecting our unique coastal environment.

The 10-year plan aligns with key City strategies, including the Gold Coast Transport Strategy, Our Coastal Lifestyle Strategy and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Plan.

For details, read the minutes from the Transport and Infrastructure Committee meeting #855 Tuesday 6 May(PDF, 13MB)

Planning challenges

Finishing the Oceanway requires careful planning. Each section must consider:

coastal erosion and storm impacts
limited space between buildings, dunes and roads
access near private land and properties
environmental protection and coastal resilience.

To manage these challenges, we may use different construction approaches – such as raised boardwalks, integrated seawalls and adaptive path designs. In some areas we’re also restoring dunes and using flexible materials to support long-term climate resilience.

Benefits of the Oceanway

Safer walking, cycling and wheeling
Better access to beaches and parks
Stronger coastal tourism infrastructure
Supports active lifestyles and reduces car use
Helps protect against future coastal risks

Environmental approvals

We’re working closely with Federal and State environmental agencies to get the approvals we need and make sure construction has as little impact as possible – during construction and into the future.

To protect our unique plants and wildlife, we’ll be carrying out detailed ecological assessments including:

plant surveys – both land and marine plant species
marine animal studies – reviewing data on turtles, dolphins and sharks
migratory shorebird surveys – monitoring species that visit our coastline.

Community engagement

As planning progresses for each section of the Oceanway, we will work closely with the community.

Nearby residents, businesses and stakeholders will be kept informed and given opportunities to provide feedback when designs are developed for individual sections.

Community engagement helps ensure the Oceanway meets the needs of each area while balancing safety, access and environmental considerations.