Where to Run in Toowoomba
Run clubs, park trails and more.
Updated October 2022
Written by Phoebe Tully
The thing about running is that you can do it anywhere. Start from your doorstep, run as far as you want, and then head home. Or maybe you run on a treadmill at your local gym. Also great!
But if you’re looking to upgrade your run a little, we’ve rounded up some options ranging from national parks to run clubs to the much loved weekly parkrun.
The Bridle trail at JUBILEE PARK
Perched on the edge of Mount Lofty, the 313-hectare park is a dream to run, thanks to kilometres and kilometres of mountain bike trails snaking up and down the side of the hill. The park is home of the Toowoomba Mountain Bike Club, one of the fastest growing MTB clubs in Southeast Queensland.
The Bridle Trail is 4.3km one way, making it the most popular route, but there’s shorter trails as well. All trails are shared use, so be mindful of others as you run.
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The PICNIC POINT circuit
The famous Picnic Point is a blend of manicured gardens and native bushland. Marked trails loop around and through the park, taking you down the side of the hill with the view of Table Top Mountain. The Picnic Point Circuit is a 6km loop that combines the Firetail Walk, Pardalote Walk, Bridle Trail and Fantail Walk. This is a challenging run, with ascents and descents of approximately 160m in altitude.
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the Rainforest Circuit at REDWOOD PARK
This massive 243 hectare park down by Prince Henry Drive has amazing views, and a few advanced hiking trails. The Rainforest Circuit is the simplest – a 400m loop with a formed track. It’s short, but you can take it as many times you want.
The more challenging Redwood Forest Walk or Bridle Trails are both steep and have rougher tracks. Do also note that Redwood is not very well sign-posted.
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choose your own adventure at CRANLEY
Seriously under-used, the tracks at Cranley Escarpment are nice and wide, and there’s over 3000km of trails. This bushland reserve on the north-west outskirts of town covers almost 45 hectares, and you can really choose your own adventure with all the interconnected loops. Take a map with you, as there are no signs once you’re there (it’s quite a new spot).
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The firebreaks network at MOUNT PEEL
Just past the uni, this large park is full of more than 4,000m of trails (none of which are signposted). The Firebreaks Network is over 4km in distance, and is made up of multiple trails, so you can make it longer or shorter. There are two peaks about 710m above sea level; the South Summit is the most challenging, but offers the best views.
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G.O run club
Local PT Georgie Ovett runs a much loved run club on Friday mornings at Glennie’s track. Meet on the oval at 5.15am and she’ll make sure you’re never bored once.
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parkrun
This free 5km walk/run is perfect for people of all fitness and enthusiasm levels. Run by volunteers, you have the option to time your runs/walks to give you a measurement to improve by – or you can just do your own thing. The Queens Park run is the most popular, held each Saturday from 7am, and people come from all over town to participate. But there is also a parkrun in Middle Ridge/South Toowoomba and Highfields.
