In 1997, 2001 and 2007, residents of South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia were surveyed about their participation in 12 outdoor recreation
activities. The results of each of these surveys were published as a ‘South East Queensland Outdoor Recreation Demand Study’ (SEQORDS) in 1998, 2002 and 2008 respectively.
The Outdoor Recreation Trends in South East Queensland (1997 – 2007) (Trends Analysis), examines selected trends in outdoor recreation
participation by residents of SEQ that were noted in the 2007 SEQORDS. The selected trends include constraints; recreation setting preferences; gender, physically active forms of outdoor recreation and changes to participation.
A number of observations are pertinent to trends in outdoor recreations participation:
1. There is a peak in activity- events in 2001 for seven out of the 12 outdoor recreation activities surveyed.
2. In all activities except walking or nature study, participation (measured as activity events) for 2007 are higher than in 1997.
3. Participation rates (measured as the percentage of the population of SEQ which is participating) for walking or nature study and driving 2WD
vehicles have declined steadily over the three SEQORDS.
4. In some activities such as bicycle riding, riding other vehicles and camping there has been a steady increase in participation rates over the three SEQORDS.
5. For all 12 outdoor recreation activities, there has been a decrease in the percentage of SEQ residents who are non-participants but would
like to participate.