2 Mar 2023
Planning a Queensland holiday but don't want to pause your running routine? Join a park run!
Credit: MediBank Park Run, Parkrun Australia
Park runs are free, weekly community events that happen all around the world, and there are dozens to choose from in Queensland!
With the new season, why not turn over a new leaf or re-start your running career during your stay with us? From the Whitsundays to Mount Isa, from Townsville to Tannum Sands, there are Queensland Park Runs everywhere!
10 of Queensland’s Best Park Runs
Table of Contents
Airlie Beach
WHERE: Coral Sea Marina
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday, 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach Credit: @exploreshaw
If you plan on staying in Airlie Beach, you’ll be pleased to know that the Airlie Beach Park Run happens right in the centre of town. The 5km run begins every Saturday at 7am at the Coral Sea Marina.
The 5km course begins with one short 340m lap of the top marina path, followed by two laps of a 2.33km course taking in the Coral Sea Marina, Shingley Beach and the iconic Cannonvale boardwalk with breathtaking views of Pioneer Bay.
Mount Isa
WHERE: Tharrapatha Way
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Mount Isa
Credit: Weekend Notes, 2019
Staying in Mount Isa and want to start your day with some exercising? Join the Mount Isa Park Run. The Mount Isa park run begins every Saturday morning at 7am at Tharrapatha Way.
The 5km run is entirely on concrete paths (Tharrapatha Way walking trail), where the first lap is longer and the second a little shorter. Depending on the weather leading up to the run, some sections of the path may accumulate mud and puddles after the rain, so watch your feet.
Ayr
WHERE: Plantation Park
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Ayr
Credit: Burdekin Shire Council - Plantation Park
Staying at Discovery Parks in Ayr and want to go for a run? Join the Plantation Park Park Run.
Like every other run on this list, the Plantation Park park run in Ayr starts at 7am every Saturday.
The 5km run takes you through a mixture of grass and sealed pathways, and as the name suggests, the start and finish are close to the Plantation Park Information Centre.
Cloncurry
WHERE: Mary K Park
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Cloncurry
Spending some time in the outback and want to burn a few calories? Wake up early on a Saturday morning to join the Cloncurry Park Run.
The Cloncurry park run starts every Saturday at 7am at Mary K Park.
The 5km run loops around scrubland and runs on a flat, winding track through beautiful native bushland.
Yeppoon
WHERE: Capricorn Coast Pineapple Trail
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Coolwaters Yeppoon
Credit: Visit Capricorn
If you’re staying in Yeppoon on the beautiful Capricorn Coast, why not get the family up early on a Saturday morning and join the Yeppoon Park Run?
The run starts at 7am aliong the Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail.
The Yeppoon park run is an out-and-back rtun, and the starting point is just beyond the first bridge at Braithwaite Street.
Emerald
WHERE: Botanical Gardens
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Emerald
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland - Botanic Gardens
Another one of the best park runs in Queensland is the one in Emerald.
Starting at 7am every Saturday at the Botanical Gardens, the 5km Emerald Park Run is on a course of trail, concrete and gravel paths.
Some of the highlights of this run include the garden itself, railway bridges and footbridges along the Nogoa river.
Hervey Bay
WHERE: Lions Park
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Fraser Street, Hervey Bay
Credit: Fraser Coast, Hervey Bay
Are you planning on staying in the beautiful Hervey Bay at our Discovery Parks accommodation? Before heading to K’gari (Fraser Island) for the day, why not join a park run?
The Hervey Bay Park Run starts every Saturday at 7 am at Lions Park. The run is an out-and-back course that takes you from Lions Park in Urangan, north along the bike path towards Torquay and then back to Urangan.
Rockhampton
WHERE: Botanic Gardens
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Rockhampton
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland - Botanic Gardens
Start your weekend right and join the Rockhampton Park Run.
Starting inside the Botanic Gardens, this run is only a 15-minute drive from Discovery Parks - Rockhampton and starts at 7am every Saturday.
The 5km Rockhampton Park Run takes you along a mixture of sealed and paved, grass and gravel paths.
Since the run is in the Botanic Gardens, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the parkland and the adjoining lagoon throughout your run.
Tannum Sands
WHERE: Canoe Point Park
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Tannum Sands
Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland - Canoe Point
Are you staying in the beautiful town of Tannun Sands and want to get up early and exercise on a Saturday morning?
Join the Tannum Sands Park Run.
Starting every Saturday at 7am from Canoe Point Park, this 5km out-and-back run takes you through the park, over bridges, down hills and past a river.
What better way to start your Saturday?
Townsville
WHERE: Tony Ireland Stadium
WHAT TIME: Every Saturday 7am
STAY WITH US: Discovery Parks - Townsville
Credit: All Trails QLD - Ross River
Finally, one of the most popular park runs in Queensland is the Riverway Park Run in Townsville.
The Riverway park run begins at 7am from Tony Ireland Stadium and is run entirely on concrete paths.
Run along the beautiful Ross River and over bridges and past pools you might like to swim in - another great way to stay fit on holiday.
10 of Queensland’s Best Park Runs
Park runs are a great way to get out and exercise while on holiday in Queensland, especially because so many are close to Discovery Parks.
Whether you want to run through the red desert, past rivers or along the ocean, there is a park run for everyone to enjoy in Queensland.
