A runner’s guide to exploring Queensland’s national parks

Our recent home-bound lifestyle has seen many of us either blow the cobwebs off the treadmill, or run lap after lap around our neighbourhood pretending we’re in one of Queensland’s national parks. A selection of Queensland national parks have reopened for locals who live within 50km (with social distancing measures still firmly in place, of course). For the full list, click here.

For the lucky people with these national parks on their doorstep, it’s time to immerse yourself in nature. Move your body, fill your lungs, and be inspired by the natural world – in-person – once again.

For everyone else, continue plotting, continue smashing those kilometres on the treadmill. Soon we’ll be able to welcome you back to explore these trails or tackle an endurance event in Queensland in the second half of 2020.

Before heading outside, always check park alerts and while restrictions are beginning to ease, please don’t abuse them. If you’re lucky enough to be back exploring nature, follow the rules so everyone else can join you shortly.

Olympian and all-round outdoorsman Courtney Atkinson has explored his fair share of national parks. He ran eight trails in seven days in every state and territory around Australia, and has explored Queensland’s beaches, mountains, rainforests and Outback on foot.

As parks re-open, Courtney has compiled his top five Queensland trails, from local favourites to a track in the shadows of our tallest peak.

Source
Queensland Uncovered