Since coming back from my sojourn in the forests and bush of northern Queensland, I’ve had a desire to maintain that connection with the earth I experienced on holiday. Just five kilometres away from where I live at the northern end of the Gold Coast lies Nerang State Forest Park, a beautiful national park offering a maze of eucalypt-nestled tracks varying in terrain.

Have you looked out your back door lately?

We are very lucky to have such an amazing park so close to suburbia, and since moving to my new share house four months ago I’ve found myself drawn to this forest where I can exercise, meditate, read and journal. I have used it as a place to sit in silence, an escape in times of confusion and sadness, a mental alcove when I’ve been under stress, and as a playground for trail running as a special treat on a Sunday morning when the whole world appears to be still for just a few hours.

Running Flow

Just this Saturday past I was going through some serious emotional turmoil and naturally felt magnetised to the forest. I embarked on what turned out to be a long and incredibly soothing jog – the beautiful native trees were my pillows and comforters and the sounds of morning birds and breeze-rustled leaves my meditation music. After shaking off some excess emotional energy and receiving a good dose of fresh air, I felt far better equipped to face the storm within.

I felt embraced and nurtured by the forest, not in an overwhelming way, but in the subtle, silent way that Mother Nature intended. She never fails to enhance my mood and caress my body in times of fear and despair.

Where to go?

There are similar spots all over the Gold Coast and in most Australian cities and remarkably most of them are free to enter at any time. Near the Gold Coast we have Mt Tamborine, Springbrook National Park, Natural Bridge, Binna Burra and Lamington National Park if you’re willing to venture a little further. Closer to home are the beautiful headlands at Burleigh, Tallebudgera Creek and Coolangatta.

These are incredibly beautiful places but often we don’t notice the treasures that are closest to us. If you’re craving a change of scenery but don’t have time to escape to a tropical paradise or take an extended weekend, give one of your local beaches, creeks or national parks a go and discover the beauty that lies on your back doorstep. It has certainly deepened my appreciation of where I live and given so much back to me at times when I need it, and simply at times when I want a little stillness.