Runaway Bay Sports Precinct West Visual Story
Arrival
Runaway Bay Sports Precinct West on Morala Avenue is a large park with soccer fields, cricket pitches, and tennis and netball courts. Each facility has its own carpark, with accessible car parking spaces provided. Some carparks are surfaced with bitumen and shaded by gum trees, while others have gravel where the sound of footsteps is noticeable.
The main arrival area includes both step and step-free access points leading to the entrance, supporting different mobility needs. The open layout and size of the precinct can feel disorienting, with visitors moving in different directions towards their chosen activities. Groups are often seen preparing for soccer matches, cricket games, or tennis sessions, creating a lively and energetic environment across the grounds.
Indoor Stadium
The Runaway Bay Indoor Sports Stadium is a lowset building with a white corrugated façade. Inside are four basketball courts with polished wooden floors, producing loud, reverberating sound during use. Overhead spotlights brighten the space, though reflections on the floor can cause glare. A tiered seating area accommodates up to 250 spectators, supporting both games and training sessions.
The Indoor Stadium has its own reception and café area, located directly ahead of the entrance. An adjacent meeting room is available for quick discussions and meeting sessions. An accessible bathroom with a shower and grab bars is also located within. The environment is lively, with players training or competing, balls bouncing, and voices carrying through the stadium, while spectators gather in the seating area or relax in the nearby café.
A detailed Visual Story and Sensory Guide is available here.
Netball
The netball area is located to the left of the arrival zone and forms a busy section of the precinct. There are 9 hard courts with blue concrete surfaces and 12 grass courts, creating a strong contrast with the surrounding landscape. Large gum trees line part of the boundary, providing shade and defining the edge of the playing spaces.
Parents and spectators often stand along the sidelines. Flat grassed sections connect the courts, allowing easy movement between areas. A clubhouse and a publicly accessible bathroom fitted with grab bars are positioned across this link, offering convenience for both players and visitors. The layout supports clear viewing, efficient circulation, and straightforward access to facilities.
Tennis
A stepped entry from the carpark leads through a black security gate and along a brown brick path to the outdoor tennis courts. The courts have blue playing surfaces with green out-of-bounds areas, creating a clear distinction between play and surrounding space. Each court is enclosed by a high black fence, keeping balls within its playing areas.
Players are often seen moving quickly across the courts, with the sound of rackets striking balls carrying through the air. Spectators may stand near the fences, watching games unfold. Beyond the tennis area, cricket fields extend into the distance. The layout provides clear pathways, organised play areas, and a natural setting that supports both structured matches and casual games.
Cricket
The Sam Loxton Oval includes three full-size cricket fields with both turf and synthetic grass pitches, all enclosed by white picket fencing with sponsor signage. A step-free smooth pathway leads from the carpark through the grass to the clubhouse. The clubhouse is a lowset building with a blue roof and blue brick façade, its extended roofing providing shelter for spectators.
Clear signage assists with orientation, and well-maintained paths connect the grounds. Visitors are often seen playing cricket, practising in the nets, or watching games from shaded areas. The setting combines active play with spaces for viewing, creating an environment that supports both participation and community gatherings.
Oxley Drive Sports Fields
A second main entrance to Runaway Bay Sports West is from Oxley Drive, providing access to six sporting fields and a connecting cycle pathway. An accessible amenities facility is located near this entrance, supporting players and visitors. The carpark, which includes accessible car parking spaces, is adjacent to the amenities.
The sports grounds are elevated above the nearby cricket fields and tennis courts, a design that improves drainage after rain and helps maintain the quality of the playing surfaces. The higher position also gives clear views of the surrounding urban areas, with the scale of the fields adding to the sense of open space.

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