Question 1

I'm looking for a particular activity - why isn't in on your site?

Accepted Answer

Loose Outdoors isn't a comprehensive list of all activities you can do in south-east Queensland (yet!). I'm just one guy, slowing ticking things off an ever-expanding to-do list.
I'll update the site with new activities frequently as I do them, but if you want to see something in particular, let me know and I'll see what I can do about getting it done.
There are some activities you will not find on Loose Outdoors, such as Mount Beerwah, Mount Tibrogargan and Mount Warning. This is out of respect for the request from local indigenous peoples not to climb these mountains due to their cultural and spiritual significance.
There are also some locations that have been closed for safety reasons (such as Killarney Glen), which I will also not visit unless things change.
Various off-track adventures, that require considerable navigation skills and/or exposed rock scrambling, will also not be featured on the activities pages of this website. I may produce a blog post showcasing these adventures, but they will not include details on how to undertake the activity, due to safety considerations.

Question 2

What do the metrics on the activities pages mean and how were they measured?

Accepted Answer

The list below describes what the metrics on each activity page mean, as well as how they are measured.
 • Distance (kms): this is the length of the hike, walk or kayak in kilometres and is measured via my Garmin Fenix 5 GPS smartwatch. These distances may differ slightly from signs, especially in national parks, as changes to track conditions (such as following fallen trees in storms) are sometimes not reflected on signs.
 • Walking time (hrs): this is a rough estimate of the time required for an average person to complete the activity, not including rests and other stops, based on track length and difficulty. Some people will require less time than this, but this figure is conservative to ensure people don’t underestimate the time they need, which can be dangerous (such as when not leaving enough time to finish before dusk).
 • Elevation gain (m): this is the total amount of ascent over the course of the entire activity, or number of metres the track goes in an upward direction. This will not necessarily occur at once. This metric is measured via my Garmin Fenix 5 GPS smartwatch.
 • Max. elevation (m): this is the highest point reached during an activity, in terms of metres above sea level. A higher maximum elevation does not necessarily mean more elevation gain, as it is largely relative to the elevation of your starting point. This metric is measured via my Garmin Fenix 5 GPS smartwatch.
 • Difficulty (Grade): this is an assessment of the difficulty of the activity. For most national park walks, this assessment is taken from the difficulty grade given by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (as defined below). For other, walks and hikes, these definitions are applied to give the activity a difficulty grading. For kayaking, the difficulty is assessed based on length, typical paddling conditions and width of the watercourse.
    • Grade 1: Flat, well-formed track, no steps, 5 kms or less. Clearly signposted. Suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
    • Grade 2: Formed track. May have gentle hills and some steps. Clearly signposted. No experience required.
    • Grade 3: Formed track, some obstacles, 20 kms or less. May have short steep hills and many steps. Some experience recommended.
    • Grade 4: Rough track. May be long and very steep with few directional signs. For experienced bushwalkers.
    • Grade 5: Unformed track. Likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. For very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills.
 • Route type: this is the type of route taken as part of the activity and can include one of the following:
    • Out-and-back: this is a track that returns the same way that you came.
    • Loop: this is a track that forms a circuit by looping around and finishing at the same point (or very near) to where you started.
    • One-way: this is a track where the start and end points are in different places. You may not be required to return to the start point (such as some 4WD tracks or lengthy kayaking trips), or you may be required to double-back on the same track (making it an out-and-back) or find an alternative route back (making it a loop track) – the description of the activity will provide more specific details in such instances.
 • Traffic: this is an assessment of how busy the activity typically is with regards to other people. This metric is typically estimated for weekends, so as not to provide a false expectation, and as such is likely to be an overestimate on weekdays.
 • Access: this refers to whether a high-clearance 4WD is required to reach the starting point of an activity or if a standard 2WD vehicle is sufficient. Be sure to always read the full description for the track though, as sometimes there is an extended alternative option that allows 2WD access.

Question 3

Can I contribute content to your website?

Accepted Answer

Other websites have far more comprehensive coverage of activities because they rely on user-generated content.
While this has obvious advantages, I created this site to address some of the shortcomings of this approach, namely inconsistent presentation of information and photos.
I really want to create a place where people can look at any page for any activity and get exactly the information they need, quickly and easily.
At this stage, I'm treating this site like a visual scrapbook for my adventures and it is a bit of a personal journey for me to tick off all the places on my list, so I'm not taking content from other people.

Question 4

What should I do if I'd like to collaborate with you?

Accepted Answer

I'm open to collaborating or partnering with people or organisations. Just send me a message using the contact form below and we can discuss further from there.

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