Coolum beach run

This is a great run for anyone staying around the Coolum area. Timing is everything - to enjoy this run at it's best, optimally you need a morning low tide. Morning - just because it's the best time of the day and a low tide to keep a fairly firm flat base underfoot.

The run starts off with some small hills, then a 1 klm bush track with fantastic views followed by 20 kilometers of the best beaches that you can run along.

The starting point is the Coolum Surf Life Saving Club - right on the David Low Way in central Coolum. This is a good place to start/finish as there are public toilets/showers and also for the non-running family members shops, restaurants, beaches and playground facilities. There is plenty of parking at Tickle Park just north of the Life Savers.

At the Life Savers head south up the boardwalk to the top of the Point Perry hill, follow the path into Point Perry for a chance to see whales in August to October. Continue south past the Coolum Bays. After you crest the top of the hill the track moves away from the road past a picnic shelter and carpark (opposite Bay Terrace and The Point apartments) there is another path with signage to Point Arkwright. Follow that path - you will go down a wooden ramp and some small sets of stairs

From the stairs follow the bush track for about 1 klm – watch for tree roots and stump stubs. As you near the end there is a picnic table and then a picnic shelter (water available at the shelter) a little later, take the path to the left at the shelter down to the look out. In the early morning this can be spectacular especially at sunrise. You will have views from Noosa to Point Cartwright. Take the time to scan the ocean for whales during August to October and have a look around the rocks below – a good place for a snorkel on another day, I’ve seen Manta Rays cruising just off the rocks. Back track to the path and head left/south again down to the Point Arkwright car park. The distance so far has been a little over 2 klms. There are public toilets and water available here. If you look southeast you will see Mudjimba Island which you will run past and there are views through to Mooloolaba.

Cross the car park and follow the access ramp down to the beach. Down on the beach the first couple of kilometres may be a little undulating – subject to the shifting sand, thereafter it tends to flatten out really well. You may note the numbered yellow pyramid shaped markers up near the sand dunes – they are reference points for rescue services. They also serve to identify key resources for runners. They are generally spaced at 250 meters but sometimes vary to coincide with other Life Saver locations.

There is water at numbers 32, 38, 44, 53, 56 & 67. Toilets are located at 32, 44, 56 & 67. The water and the toilets are inland of the sand dunes – just follow the paths down the access tracks.

The run south from here extends to just on 11.5 klm so if it’s around 25 klm you are looking for just go the whole way! The run is just easy flat running – at low tide, enjoy the sand and the water as said previously you will run past Mudjimba Island and then onwards to the Maroochy River mouth. The turn around is a rock structure called the Pincushion. The Pincushion used to be on the south side of the river until Mother Nature had a change of heart; it was an island briefly before becoming a part of the north shore. You can run around the Pincushion.

Having reached the turnaround simply retrace your steps in the sand – you will have noted that there were not many turns along the way so you should have no trouble finding your way home!

Once back in Coolum you can then have a swim and a shower and go in search of some rehydration – the bar in the Life Savers is the best choice.