Best Running Routes in Brisbane

Queensland is one of Australia's most underrated running destinations. Warm mornings, long waterfront paths, coastal headlands, and national-park trails make it ideal for endurance runs that feel scenic rather than repetitive. Brisbane provides the urban-river backbone, while the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast deliver iconic coastal mileage.

1. Brisbane River Loop (CBD–South Bank–New Farm) (15–22 km, customisable)

Brisbane's defining long run follows the river that shapes the city. Starting anywhere in the CBD or South Bank, runners can link riverside paths through Kangaroo Point, New Farm, and Howard Smith Wharves before looping back across bridges.

Highlights

• Distance: 15–22 km, easily adjusted by adding extra bridge crossings or pushing deeper into New Farm.
• Scenery: Continuous river views, South Bank's parklands and lagoon, Kangaroo Point's cliffs, and Howard Smith Wharves' riverside energy.
• Difficulty: Easy. Mostly flat, continuous paths ideal for steady pacing.

This route has become Brisbane's default long run because it stays almost entirely flat while still delivering genuine visual variety at every stage: the manicured lawns and man-made beach of South Bank, the dramatic sandstone cliffs at Kangaroo Point (popular with climbers as well as runners), and the buzzy dining precinct under the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves. Sunrise and sunset both work beautifully here, with the water reflecting the CBD skyline at either end of the day, which is a big part of why it's such a popular choice for visiting runners looking for a genuinely scenic session rather than a generic riverside path. Because you can add or subtract bridge crossings freely, it's one of the most flexible long runs in the country, scaling from a moderate loop to a serious marathon-training session on the same basic route. It's also one of the few capital-city long runs where riding alongside runners on e-scooters is completely normal, part of the city's relaxed, outdoor culture, and cafés and water stops are never far away along the whole loop.

2. Bicentennial Bikeway to Mount Coot-tha Extension (12–18 km)

The Bicentennial Bikeway runs west from the CBD along the river and is one of Brisbane's smoothest, most reliable endurance paths. For runners wanting elevation and a challenge, linking this route with trails up toward Mount Coot-tha turns a flat river run into a strength-building session.

Highlights

• Distance: 12–18 km depending on how far up Mount Coot-tha you extend.
• Scenery: Shaded riverside sections along the Bicentennial Bikeway, opening into forested climbing trails and lookout views over the city from higher ground.
• Difficulty: Easy on the flat river section; moderate to hard if you take the Mount Coot-tha extension.

This route exists to solve a problem most flat river paths share: the lack of any real elevation to train on. The Bicentennial Bikeway itself is one of Brisbane's most consistent surfaces, well-shaded and quieter than the busier South Bank stretch, which already makes it popular with locals doing steady base mileage. What sets it apart is the optional extension toward Mount Coot-tha, where the terrain shifts from flat riverside path to genuine forested climbing, rewarding the effort with sweeping lookout views back over the city and out toward Moreton Bay on a clear day. It's become a favourite among Brisbane locals training for trail events or simply wanting to break the monotony of flat city running, since you can treat the river section as a warm-up and the Coot-tha climb as the main session. The shade cover along most of the route also makes it one of the better options for managing Brisbane's heat and humidity on longer efforts.

3. Gold Coast: Burleigh Headland to Currumbin Loop (12–16 km)

The Gold Coast earns its place on this list because its coastal routes are genuinely world-class for runners. One of the most popular long runs links Burleigh Heads through Palm Beach toward Currumbin, combining beachfront paths, headland views, and calmer creek sections.

Highlights

• Distance: 12–16 km, with several exit points if conditions change.
• Scenery: Continuous ocean views and sea breezes, a genuine headland climb at Burleigh, and the calmer, more sheltered waters of Currumbin Creek.
• Difficulty: Moderate. The headland climbs test strength without being technical, while the beachfront sections stay flat and fast.

This is widely regarded as one of the best coastal long runs in the country, and it's easy to see why once you're on it: Burleigh Headland alone delivers some of the most photographed ocean views on the entire Gold Coast, and the run only builds from there through Palm Beach's quieter stretch of coast to the calmer, family-friendly waters around Currumbin. The headland climbs give the route a genuine physical test without ever tipping into technical trail running, which makes it popular with runners who want their legs worked but don't want to sacrifice pace entirely. Multiple exit points along the way mean you're never committed to the full distance if conditions turn, and the constant sea breeze makes it noticeably more comfortable than inland alternatives on a hot Queensland morning. Early mornings are best, when beaches are quiet and temperatures are manageable, and the combination of iconic scenery with genuinely practical distance makes this a favourite for half-marathon training specifically.

4. Gold Coast: The Spit & Federation Walk (10–14 km)

For runners who want distance without crowds, The Spit delivers. Federation Walk runs through protected coastal reserve, linking dunes, bushland, and open paths before rejoining waterfront promenades near the Seaway.

Highlights

• Distance: 10–14 km, often extended with a water-side return leg.
• Scenery: Protected coastal reserve, dune systems, pockets of native bushland, and open water views near the Seaway.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Wide, runnable paths with only light elevation, but softer sand sections in places.

The Spit stands apart from the Gold Coast's more famous beachfront strips precisely because it feels like an escape rather than a destination run. Federation Walk protects a genuine stretch of coastal reserve, meaning long sections pass through dune systems and native bushland with far less urban noise and foot traffic than Burleigh or Surfers Paradise. That sense of separation, despite being minutes from the Gold Coast's busiest tourist strip, is what locals rate it for most: wide, runnable paths, light elevation, and a real feeling of having the trail to yourself even on a weekend morning. It's common to pair the walk with a return run along the water for extra kilometres, watching boats move through the Seaway, which makes it one of the Gold Coast's most adaptable endurance routes for runners who want to control their own distance rather than follow a fixed loop.

5. Sunshine Coast: Noosa Coastal Track to Sunrise Beach (11–15 km)

If you want your long run to feel like a mini-adventure, Noosa delivers. Starting near Noosa Heads, runners follow the coastal track through national park terrain before extending onto Sunrise Beach for sustained mileage.

Highlights

• Distance: 11–15 km, blending national park trail with beach-adjacent paths.
• Scenery: Headlands, ocean cliffs and pockets of coastal forest inside Noosa National Park, opening onto Sunrise Beach.
• Difficulty: Moderate. Natural surface changes between forest trail and firmer sand-adjacent paths add genuine variety underfoot.

This route is not about speed, it's about experience, and that's exactly why it's developed such a loyal following among visiting runners. Noosa National Park delivers a genuine change in terrain and atmosphere within a single run: dense coastal forest gives way to open headland views over the Pacific, before the trail eventually settles into the firmer, sand-adjacent paths near Sunrise Beach. Wildlife sightings are common enough that many runners treat the route as much as a wildlife walk as a training session, koalas have been spotted along sections of the park trail, and the cooler morning air near the water makes it genuinely pleasant even in Queensland's warmer months. Because the terrain constantly shifts rather than holding one flat rhythm, it's particularly popular with trail-leaning runners who find pure road or beachfront paths a bit monotonous, and it consistently ranks as one of Queensland's most rewarding long runs for exactly that reason.

6. Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba–Caloundra Coastal Path (12–20 km)

This is one of the Sunshine Coast's most runnable long routes, connecting multiple beachside suburbs via shared coastal paths. It's flatter than Noosa and better suited to runners maintaining a steady pace over distance.

Highlights

• Distance: 12–20 km, linking several beachside suburbs along a continuous shared path.
• Scenery: Ocean views for almost the entire run, passing through Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Bokarina and toward Caloundra.
• Difficulty: Easy. Continuous, well-paved paths with minimal elevation, ideal for holding a steady pace.

Where the Noosa route trades on adventure, this path trades on pure runnability, and that's precisely its appeal for anyone building serious base mileage. The route connects a string of beachside suburbs on a continuous, well-maintained shared path, meaning you rarely lose the ocean from view and almost never have to break stride for a road crossing. That consistency is exactly what makes it popular with runners in genuine half-marathon or marathon preparation: predictable footing, steady sea breezes, and enough distance on offer to build a proper long-run week without needing to drive out to a national park trail. Easy access to cafés and recovery spots at multiple points along the route also means you can break the run into manageable stages if needed. For visitors staying near Mooloolaba specifically, this is the most practical long run on the Sunshine Coast, requiring minimal logistics to get started straight from most accommodation in the area.

When and How to Run in Queensland

Best time of day: Early morning (before 7:00 am) is essential in the warmer months. Coastal routes benefit from sea breezes, while river paths heat up quickly once the sun is fully up.

Hydration: Carry water or plan routes with refill points. Queensland's humidity can surprise visitors, even on relatively short runs, so don't rely on tolerance built up in drier climates.

Transport tips: Brisbane routes are easily accessed on foot or via short rideshares from the CBD. Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast runs are best paired with car access or accommodation nearby, since the coastal paths stretch well beyond easy walking distance from any single base.

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