Short and scenic walks around Brisbane

18 JANUARY 2023

Make the most of Brisbane in the great outdoors and wander along some of the many trails and scenic walks in the region. These short walks in and around Brisbane are some of the best whether it’s a weekday or weekend, and a bit of fresh air never hurt anyone!

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

City scape

01. City loop via South Bank

Let’s start with an obvious one. This quick and easy loop takes you from the heart of The City over the old Victoria Bridge, through the Cultural Forecourt past the B-R-I-S-B-A-N-E sign (go on, stop for a selfie) and along the Clem Jones Promenade at South Bank. Take a moment to take in The City views from Streets Beach before meandering along. Just past River Quay Green South Bank, cross over the Goodwill Bridge towards the City Botanic Gardens and the Queensland University of Technology Garden’s Point campus. There’s a pedestrian path that follows along the riverfront at water level, past mangroves towards North Quay ferry stop. Catch the CityCat home or head to Queen Street Mall for a spot of shopping. 

Alternatively, you can skip the Story Bridge and take the free red CityHopper from either Thornton or Holman Ferry terminals over to The City’s Riverside station.

02. City loop from the Botanic Gardens via Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point

Park the car at the top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and walk down the infamous skinny stairs to the base. Follow the winding boardwalk along the riverfront towards Thornton Street Ferry Terminal. From here, cross the road to head over the Story Bridge, wander the riverfront path until you reach the City Botanic Gardens. Stop here and catch your breath before crossing back to the southside via the Goodwill Bridge and follow the path along Kangaroo Point back to your car.

03. Teneriffe to The City via Riverwalk

Start your journey wedged between Teneriffe’s historic wool stores. Wander along the wide riverside boardwalk that makes up the little-known Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail. There are facts, tributes and stories along that way that describe how Teneriffe was used as a dock for US submarines during WWII. If you keep walking past the Brisbane Powerhouse, around New Farm Park and along the raised Riverwalk you’ll reach The City in under 90 minutes.

A group of people talking happily while walking through the Grand Arbour of bougainvillea at South Bank.

South Bank Grand Arbour, Brisbane

04. The Arbour at South Bank

The iconic steel structure that snakes its way through South Bank Parklands is made up of 443 curvy steel posts that are covered in bougainvillea vines. Thanks to Brisbane’s stunning climate, the whole 1-kilometre walk is vibrant with bougainvillea blooms for most of the year.

05. West End to Queensland Gallery of Modern Art

Start your morning bright and early with a visit to the West End Markets, held every Saturday from 6am-2pm. Beside the park is the Jane St Community Garden, which grows more than 200 varieties of edible plants. Once you’ve stocked up on fresh fruit and veg, wander across to Plenty for breakfast – they use and celebrate locally-grown produce. From here, follow Riverside Drive along the curve of the river which will eventually bring you to the South Bank Boardwalk. The final stop is the beautiful Queensland Gallery of Modern Art – featuring stunning artworks and exhibitions.

Nature

06. Boondall Wetlands

The Boondall Wetlands offer a variety of walking and cycling tracks surrounded by hectares of tidal flats, mangroves, saltmarshes, melaleuca wetlands, grasslands and open forests. These wetlands are home to around 190 species of birds including rainbow bee-eaters, kingfishers, Australian kestrels and more. The tracks range from 100m to 13km and canoeing, walking and cycling paths and are mapped out for ease. 

07. Brighton to Shorncliffe

Wander the foreshore between the seaside villages on Brisbane’s northside. Taking in views over Bramble Bay, the shining star of this walk is wandering to the end of the historic Shorncliffe Pier. From here look down into the blue bay to spot jellyfish and marine life bobbing past. The walk takes an hour each way, so slice it in half by starting in Sandgate if you’d prefer a shorter walk. A favourite of ours, stop at the Sandgate Fishmonger for lunch or wander into the village square and refresh with a drink at Cardigan Bar in Sandgate.

08. Clontarf to Redcliffe

Another walk along the northern coastline, the stretch from Clontarf to Redcliffe in Moreton Bay Region comes with history spice. It will take you about 90 minutes to walk the length and it passes by the historic 19th century shipwreck of the HMQS Gayundah

09. Daisy Hill

Koala sightings are guaranteed at Daisy Hill at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. See these gorgeous mammals at the dedicated koala education facility from two different viewing levels – it’s free to visit and makes the perfect start or end to one of Daisy Hill’s bush trails. Most of the walks are less than 2km, leaving plenty of time to visit the Koala Centre. Pack a picnic and find a shady spot on the grass for lunch near the Koala Centre. 

10. Green Falls Track

Drive north of Brisbane through the quaint village of Samford and up into the hills of Mt Glorious. Glorious indeed – pop on those walking shoes and wander the one-hour Greenes Falls Track. When we’ve done it there hasn’t been much water, but the views at the end are more than worth it. 

11. Gold Creek Reservoir

Not too far north-west of The City, there’s a 5.5km track that circles the circumference of the Gold Creek Reservoir. This dam is the second oldest in Queensland - built in 1882 – with the world’s first concrete stepped spillway added in 1890. It’s pretty quiet here so you may have to make your way through some thick bush – we suggest you head counter-clockwise to tackle the steep part first. 

12. Mt Coot-Tha

Sure, it’s super easy to drive to the top of Mt Coot-Tha, park and take in the views. But did you know it only takes 30 minutes to walk up from the base? Drop the car at one of the carparks and wander through the eucalyptus bush to the lookout. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the hill before heading back down. Discover activities to do at Mt Coot-Tha and enjoy ticking them off. 

An image of a mature couple having a drink at Jollys Lookout at Moreton Bay Region.
Jollys Lookout, Moreton Bay Region

13. Mt Nebo Hiking Trails

From the carpark head on the 8km return Thylogale Walking Track which reaches Brisbane’s famous picnic spot, Jollys Lookout. The walk weaves through the gorgeous rainforest terrain and is a relatively level walk. Choose the Pitta Circuit, and you’ll tread along a 1km circuit exploring a eucalyptus and subtropical rainforest. Its boardwalk surrounds a giant 300-year-old strangler fig tree.

14. Pumicestone Passage

Drive the bridge over to Bribie Island, about 65km north of Brisbane, and leave your worries on the mainland. There’s a scenic walk from Bongaree to Bellara that follows the waterfront along Pumicestone Passage. The crystal clear, white sandy passage is home to tonnes of pelicans and other bird varieties. Cool off with a dip when you’re done or explore the Bribie Island Seaside Museum

15. Tree Top Walk

Nine suspension bridges swing high above in the trees through ancient Gondwana rainforest. The 180m long walkway at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat plateau sits approximately 15m above the ground, leading towards a bird’s eye lookout. Climb ladders a further 15m higher up an old tree and pop your head out at the top above the canopy. For a few moments it’s just you, the birds and the sprawling green mountains and valleys of the Lamington National Park. 

16. Walkabout Creek

Wander through a wet eucalyptus forest gully on the 45-minute Corymbia Circuit at Walkabout Creek. Or take the two-hour Araucaria track past giant hoop pines, along the shores of Enoggera Reservoir and back. Best of all, post-walk you can cool off with a dip in Enoggera Reservoir, hire kayaks from Walkabout Creek Adventures and grab a snack at the onsite café. If you’ve got time, stay for a ranger talk and platypus feeding at the Wildlife Centre

The sun rises with boats in the foreground at Manly Marina.
Manly Marina, Brisbane

17. Wynnum to Manly

Breathe in, breathe out. Salty, fresh air is good for the mind. Take the chance to walk along Brisbane’s southern bayside promenade starting at Wynnum’s 1930-built tidal pool and finishing at Manly Boat Harbour, a gorgeous backdrop for sunset photos. Time your visit to match up with the Jan Power Farmers Market in Manly. The walk is about 10km return.

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