Highland Park QLD 4211

Highland Park is a serene residential suburb in the City of Gold Coast on Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland. Positioned just west of Nerang and around 12 kilometres from Surfers Paradise, this leafy suburb combines peaceful suburban living with easy access to beaches, shopping hubs and major transport links. Highland Park enjoys gentle slopes, established streets and elevated outlooks that capture hinterland breezes and scenic views, qualities that attract families, professional couples, retirees and first-home buyers looking for space and lifestyle without sacrificing convenience. The suburb sits approximately 74 kilometres south-east of Brisbane and enjoys a quiet location that still connects seamlessly to key urban and coastal destinations.

Highland Park’s ambience is one of calm and community focus. With tree-lined streets, substantial housing blocks and proximity to parks and green spaces, it is a suburb where residents can enjoy both outdoor activities and relaxed everyday living. Highland Park’s central Gold Coast position also makes it a logical choice for buyers seeking connectivity to major employment, education and retail precincts without the premium price tag of beachside suburbs.

According to the latest census data, Highland Park has a population of around 6,576 residents, with a relatively balanced gender mix of 49 per cent male and 51 per cent female. The median age of residents is in the early 40s, slightly above the national median, reflecting the suburb’s appeal to both established families and mature adults.

Households in Highland Park typically average about 2.7 people, with a mix of family types present. Many households consist of couples with children, while a strong proportion of couples without children and single-parent families also contribute to the suburb’s diverse community makeup. Median household incomes are comfortable for the region, suggesting residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle with access to employment and leisure options.

Housing in Highland Park is predominantly detached homes on generous lots, a combination of properties established in the 1980s and 1990s and newer residences that have since been built or renovated. This mix provides options for buyers at different stages, from first-home buyers to families looking for more space and investors seeking long-term capital growth.

Highland Park supports families and individuals with access to essential health care services and quality education options.

Education

• William Duncan State School is the primary education provider in Highland Park, serving students from Prep to Year 6. The school has a long history in the suburb and plays an active role in the local community.
• For secondary schooling, nearby Nerang State High School in Nerang offers comprehensive Year 7 to 12 programs and is easily accessed by a short drive or bus.
• Additional schooling choices, including private and faith-based schools such as Emmanuel College and St Brigid’s Primary School, are located in neighbouring suburbs, providing further options for families.

Education participation in Highland Park is strong, with close to one-third of residents currently enrolled in education, and while university qualification levels are modest compared with national averages, vocational and certificate-level qualifications are well represented.

Health Services
Local health care and allied services are easy to access in Highland Park and nearby Nerang. General practice clinics, dental and physiotherapy services operate in the local shopping precinct and surrounding streets. For specialist medical care and hospital services, Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital are within a short drive, offering emergency, specialist and inpatient services to residents from around the Gold Coast region.

Although Highland Park is primarily a residential suburb, it delivers a growing and enjoyable food and coffee culture for locals and visitors alike.

• First Harvest Coffee on Hinkler Drive is a local favourite for artisan coffee, breakfast bowls, sweet treats and casual brunches, attracting families and professionals looking for a relaxed social stop.
• Highland Park Plaza eateries provide essential dining options including family-friendly cafes, takeaway spots and quick lunch venues, making it easy to grab a meal without travelling far.

Just outside Highland Park, in nearby Nerang and Carrara, there is a broader dining scene that includes family restaurants and bistros, Asian, Italian and contemporary cafes, bakeries and sweet shops, and pubs and bars for social dinners. These options expand culinary choices when residents want variety or evening dining beyond the local suburb’s core offering.

Highland Park is rich in outdoor spaces, parks and recreational opportunities that enhance lifestyle and wellbeing.

Local Parks and Green Space

• Natural Bushland Park and adjacent walking trails offer scenic routes for hiking, nature walks and birdwatching, ideal for morning or weekend activities.
• The suburb features an extensive network of smaller local parks and playgrounds that cater to children, families and dog walkers.
• Green corridors and cycle paths connect neighbourhoods, allowing safe and enjoyable exercise and leisure options.

Nearby Recreation

• The Nerang River and its adjoining reserves provide options for cycling, fishing and riverside picnics.
• Within a short drive it is possible to explore Nerang National Park, a natural reserve with challenging hikes and scenic views that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

These parks, trails and green spaces make Highland Park a natural choice for residents who enjoy outdoor activities, community sport and relaxed living close to nature.

Highland Park benefits from several well-connected transport options that make commuting easy.

• Major roads including the M1 Pacific Motorway and Nerang–Broadbeach Road are within easy reach, allowing quick travel north toward Brisbane or south toward Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.
• Multiple bus routes service Highland Park, offering residents the ability to access nearby suburbs and key transport hubs without relying solely on private cars. Bus stops are generally within walking distance for many households and provide regular weekday services.
• The Nerang Train Station is a short drive from Highland Park and connects commuters to the wider Queensland rail network, including services to Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s southern suburbs.

This combination of transport choices means Highland Park is attractive for commuters working across the Gold Coast and Brisbane corridors while still offering the tranquillity of suburban life.

Highland Park sits within a cluster of well-established Gold Coast suburbs that increase its connectivity and lifestyle appeal.

• Nerang – a major retail, dining and transport hub just north of Highland Park
• Carrara – providing additional shopping, sporting facilities and entertainment
• Worongary – a leafy residential suburb with parks and a semi-rural feel to the south
• Gilston – offering semi-rural living and hinterland views to the west
• Mudgeeraba – an established suburb with boutique shops, cafes and community events
• Ashmore – an eastern neighbour with a mix of residential and commercial amenities
• Molendinar – close to major roads and business parks to the east

These surrounding suburbs help define Highland Park’s position within the central Gold Coast, offering residents access to a broader mix of services, shopping and lifestyle choices.

Highland Park, QLD is a family-oriented, well-connected suburb on the Gold Coast that delivers relaxed living with strong lifestyle credentials. From quality schooling and local cafes to parks, green space and efficient transport links, Highland Park appeals to families, professionals and investors seeking a balance of comfort, accessibility and community, all within reach of beaches, shopping and regional hubs.