Tannum Sands parkrun: Muggy Paths, Little Hills And Phoebe The Dog
After listening to the first-timers briefing at Tannum Sands parkrun, another visitor and I looked at each other. Surely brain surgery was less confusing than this 😂.
There were loops, turnarounds and sections we would be doing again. I decided I would include a picture of the course in this blog, because explaining it myself was looking ambitious.
The good news? Once we got moving, it made far more sense.
Our Tannum Sands parkrun Results – 65 parkrunners
Event #475, Saturday 24 October 2026.
🏃 Chooky — 44:56 | 52nd | 206th parkrun
🏃 Tearri — 46:16 | 53rd | 102nd parkrun
🏃 Kirraleigh — 47:58 | 56th | 70th parkrun
It was our first Tannum Sands parkrun, so all three of us left with a course PB.
Easiest PB we'll ever get. 😂
Tannum Sands parkrun At A Glance
Location: Canoe Point Park, at the end of Caledon Street, Tannum Sands, QLD
Start: 7:00 am, in the north-western corner of the park
Course: 5 km single-lap out-and-back with several turnarounds
Surface: Bitumen, concrete and grass, with mostly bitumen underfoot on our visit
Toilets: Beside the start/finish, plus another block about 600 m from the start
Parking: Around 60 spaces onsite, plus about 20 more around 400 m away
Public transport: None available
Prams: Prams and wheelchairs on course the day we went, but watch the uneven patches and debris
Coffee: Junction Cafe, 7/97 Hampton Drive
Bonus: Wood-fired barbecues, outdoor showers and bird sculptures in the bush
Stay: We stayed at Tannum Sands Hotel Motel, about 1.9 km away
Getting There From Our Hotel
Tannum Sands parkrun is a 5 km event at Canoe Point Park, starting in the north-western corner.
We were staying at Tannum Sands Hotel Motel, about 1.9 kilometres away. We drove down and parked directly out the front.
The official course page lists around 60 parking spaces onsite, plus parking for approximately another 20 vehicles about 400 metres away. Allow time to find a space. For drivers, the directions take you from Hampton Drive into Booth Avenue, then Caledon Street. Follow Caledon Street to the end. The event page says there is no public transport available.
The plan was a leisurely walk, take plenty of photos and get a proper look at the path.
That eventually became alternating 500 metres of walking with 500 metres of jogging.
Tearri is building her fitness for her first marathon next year. She is starting from scratch with the marathon distance, and she is doing amazing.
Making Sense Of The Course
The official description calls this a single-lap, out-and-back course, with the start and finish roughly in the middle.
You begin with 1.5 clockwise laps of the park pathway before heading out along sections with several turnarounds, passing back through the park along the way. There is a bridge on one section and a turnaround near the river mouth on another.
The general approach is to keep left, but listen to the briefing for the actual instructions. Marshals or signs help guide you around, and there are painted parkrun markings on the path at the turnarounds.
Once we were moving, it was easier to follow than it had sounded.
Toilets, Barbecues And A Very Handy Park
My first job was finding the toilets.
Initially I couldn't see any, but there were toilets just off to the side of the meeting area. The official page confirms toilets and water at the start and finish, plus another toilet block approximately 600 metres from the start. I also spotted outdoor showers during our outing.
The park had wood-fired barbecues, with wood available when we visited. I loved that. I wish we had the same setup at home.
The official course page lists Junction Cafe, 7/97 Hampton Drive, as the regular post-parkrun coffee spot, with everyone welcome to join. We didn't join them this time, so I can't give you a coffee verdict.
What The Path Was Actually Like
The official course information lists bitumen, concrete and grass. Most of what I noticed underfoot was bitumen, with a short concrete section before returning to bitumen.
Rain can leave mud, leaves and puddles on sections of the course. These are shared paths too, so give way to other park users.
Some parts were uneven. White paint highlighted several of those spots, which helped, but this wasn't a completely smooth path.
The bush turkeys had also been busy. In several places, their scratching had left debris across the path.
I saw people participating with prams and two men using wheelchairs, who appeared to be navigating the course well. That's what I observed on the day, rather than a guarantee that the surface will suit every pram or wheelchair.
Between the uneven sections, debris and turnarounds, it is worth having a proper look at the course information and speaking with the team if you have specific access needs.
Say Hello To Tom The Turkey
The real bush turkeys were making a mess of the path. Their replica was much better behaved.
Keep an eye out for Tom the Turkey, a bush turkey replica tucked into the bush along the trail. Locals and Tannum Sands parkrun regulars christened him Tom, and he has become a bit of a Saturday morning landmark.
He's not the only artwork out there either. We spotted a pair of black cockatoos perched on a rail, and a bench with cockatoo-shaped ends right beside the path.
I may have slowed down for photos. More than once. 😂
Near The Water, Waiting For The Breeze
I had pictured more of an ocean parkrun.
For much of our outing, we were moving through bushland. It was still pretty, but being near the water hadn't delivered the ocean breeze I had been hoping for.
And I really wanted that breeze.
It was an extremely muggy morning. For some nearby context, the Bureau of Meteorology's Gladstone station recorded 22.8°C and 100% relative humidity at 8:20 am on 24 October 2026. That was a nearby station reading after our parkrun, rather than a measurement taken on the course.
At the last turnaround, we reached the river. It was beautiful. I went a little further than I needed to so I could have a proper look.
So there was a water view. I just had to wait for it.
Phoebe Had Her Own Turnaround
One of my favourite parts of the morning was a dog called Phoebe.
A few metres before the turnaround, she stopped and refused to go any further. Her owner had to turn around and come back for her.
I saw her do it twice.
When I spoke to her owner, she told me Phoebe does it every week.
Absolutely adorable. A regular who knows exactly where she wants to turn around.
Rain And A Debate About The Hills
With about 1.5 kilometres to go, it started raining. At first, I enjoyed it. A little rain to cool us down sounded lovely. Then it became rain and mug. I was wet and still felt hot. By the time we had about 700 metres left, it had moved beyond a sprinkle.
There was also some discussion about whether this course had hills.
My answer is yes.
Nothing dramatic, but there were little hills that I could feel in my glutes. There may have been disagreement about how much they deserved to be called hills, but I was the one going up them.
I wouldn't describe my experience as completely flat.
My Tips For Tannum Sands parkrun
Look at the course map before you arrive. The briefing makes more sense when you have a picture in your head.
Arrive early. Parking is limited to around 60 spaces onsite.
Toilets are just off to the side of the meeting area, plus another block about 600 metres along.
Keep left and follow the marshals and painted markings at the turnarounds.
Watch your feet. There are uneven patches and turkey debris on the path.
Dress for humidity. Being near the water doesn't guarantee a breeze.
Keep an eye out for Tom the Turkey and the cockatoos.
If you can, stay a while. The park has wood-fired barbecues and a lovely river view.
Where To Stay For Tannum Sands parkrun
We stayed at Tannum Sands Hotel Motel, about 1.9 kilometres from Canoe Point Park. It was an easy drive down on Saturday morning, and we parked directly out the front.
Planning your own Tannum Sands parkrun weekend? Compare places to stay around Tannum Sands and Boyne Island:
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My Verdict
The briefing made Tannum Sands parkrun sound more confusing than it felt once we were out there.
I liked the bushland, the park facilities and that beautiful river view at the final turnaround. The uneven sections and turkey debris are worth knowing about, and I wouldn't turn up expecting uninterrupted ocean views or a guaranteed sea breeze.
For us, it was a morning of walking, jogging, taking photos and debating the hills.
With Phoebe quietly sticking to her own course plan.
Before You Go...
Heading further down the Queensland coast? Read my 👉 Hervey Bay parkrun review or try the sand at 👉 Burrum Heads Beach parkrun.
Another walk-jog with the girls? 👉 I Finally Got My Z: Zillmere parkrun.
Come Chase Life With Me
Have you done Tannum Sands parkrun? Did the briefing make sense to you the first time? And are those hills or not? Tell me in the comments.
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Keep Chasing Life 🧡
Chooky xx
Embracing the slow. Chasing the now.
Quick update: Phoebe has officially become my favourite parkrun local. 😂 If you're a Tannum Sands regular, settle this for me. Are those little rises hills or not? And is Tom the Turkey still standing guard?