Looking for leisurely waterside walks perfect for a peaceful stroll, jogging workout, park run session, or a family day out in nature? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve 9 great waterside walks taking you along bayside foreshores, over mudflats, around lakes, through gorges and by riverbanks.
For the best walks near Brisbane on Bribie Island head to Bongaree. The foreshore Bongaree Walkabout begins and ends at Bongaree Jetty, taking you past historical Bribie Island landmarks and buildings.
The Bribie Island Bongaree Walkabout is a fairly level stroll punctuated by a few inclines. Though the coastal route features 16 main landmarks, you’ll also come across other smaller landmarks and plaques.
On the mainland across from Bribie Island is the birdwatching haven of Godwin Beach Environmental Reserve, home to migratory seabird and resident shorebird feeding & roosting sites.
Here you can enjoy a leisurely walk by the Moreton Bay Marine Park waterside through vegetation including mangrove, melaleuca, woodlands and open forest.
Park at the eastern end of the Godwin Beach esplanade to access the main walking circuit which connects to a few other shorter tracks.
One of the best under-the-radar, bayside walking tracks Brisbane North is Deception Bay’s Cottonwood Walk & Heritage Trail (the 4km one-way Heritage Trail includes the 1.5km Cottonwood Walk).
The scenic stretch is perfect for families with younger children as the trail offers amply opportunity for beach wading/swimming and park play along the way. Viewing platforms, BBQ and picnic facilities, as well as parks, dog parks, a dog beach and fitness stations can be found dotted along its length.
The trail takes you over boardwalks and shared paths along the waterfront and through parklands from the Deception Bay Historic Bathing Pool in the north, to just past the Deception Bay Wetlands Reserve in the south.
The Redcliffe peninsula offers you a few overlapping best walks near Brisbane, each close to 2kms in length. These walks take you along shared pathways past modern art installations and former sites of demolished local tourist attractions & landmarks of days past, as well as former European penal colony sites.
The Redcliffe Foreshore Public Art Trail, Redcliffe Esplanade Walk and Redcliffe Convict Trail each cover part of the annual Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Route, taking in a small section of the Moreton Bay Cycleway.
The art trail takes you past modern art installations along the foreshore, from Rotary Park south to Charlish Park. The esplanade walk travels past locations which were once home to popular tourist attractions and local haunts, south from Rotary Park to Suttons Beach. While the convict trail features former European settlement sites, taking you south-west from Rotary Park, inland to Humpybong Creek and back towards the waterfront.
You can combine these 3 walking tracks Brisbane North for a day of leisurely family sightseeing in the vicinity of cafes & shops, or, if you’d prefer to work up a sweat, you can tackle the cycleway for a long, super scenic 11km one-way walk (jog, or cycle) from Scarborough Beach to the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, or visit the relic Hornibrook Bridge at Clontarf.
Aside from being a beautiful picnic and watercraft recreation spot, Lake Samsonvale near Petrie is also perfect for leisurely waterside walks. A fairly level, 4km one-way dirt track weaves along the lake’s edge, from the Bullocky Rest carpark to the Forgan Cove carpark.
As one of the best walks near Brisbane to spot native wildlife, bring a camera/smart phone along as you might spy koalas high-up in the trees and waterbirds out on the water.
The Bullocky Rest carpark is you’re best starting point if you’d like to enjoy a family picnic or BBQ after you return from your walk.
For a peaceful 1,676m lakeside walk within a major shopping and dining precinct visit Lake Eden in North Lakes.
Another great walk for families and fitness enthusiasts, the Lake Eden Trail curves around the entirety of the lake, through Town Park, past parklands, the new North Lakes Hotel development, and a section of the golf course.
The popular park run route featuring fitness stations is part of the 10,000 steps walking tracks Brisbane North, Moreton Bay Regional Council initiative.
You’ll find a scenic 10,000 step walking track complete with fitness stations wrapped around Centenary Lakes in Caboolture – a great walk for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The area is home to a great variety of waterbird species (as well as ducks and cockatoos) and features plenty of wide open grassy spaces, playgrounds, and picnic & BBQ facilities making it an ideal day out for families.
Bring your kids for a day filled with park play, walking and picnicking/barbecuing.
To discover another of the best walks near Brisbane for families head to Petrie. The Sweeney Reserve and Mungarra Reserve riverside walk is part of the Petrie park run which winds along the North Pine River.
Featuring dog parks and various areas perfect for park play and quiet reprieves beneath shade trees, these 2 reserves are simply a joy to explore at your own pace. With a basketball court, small skate park, electric BBQs, picnic tables, benches, water fountains, fitness stations and more, you’re family has everything you need for a fun family day out in nature.
The main path stretches for about 2.7km one-way from the Wyllie Park carpark entrance to Affleck Avenue.
Moreton Bay Region public transport is only available from Brisbane CBD to Redcliffe and areas between the CBD and Caboolture & Samford Village, however buses do run from Caboolture Station to Bribie Island Park 'n' Ride.
Tourists using public transport are encouraged to check the Translink Journey Planner and purchase a South-East Queensland seeQ card.
Private transport options include Black & White Cabs, Point to Point Express and RedAir Transfers.
Alternatively, you can opt for a Brisbane rental car to access the hinterland areas as public transport doesn’t directly service most hinterland locations.
Bunyaville State Forest & Conservation Park | Bunya
The Somerset Trail | Mount Mee
Hiking Mt Glorious & Mt Nebo
Overnight Hikes near Brisbane
Looking for more local hot spots? Pop into one of the region's Accredited Visitor Information Centres, the volunteers have a wealth on knowledge about things to do and see in the Moreton Bay Region.
Learn about the history of Moreton Bay region on a FREE tour through Woodford, Redcliffe and Samford guided by our local knowledgeable volunteers from Visitor Information Centres.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend hacker, Moreton Bay swings with opportunity for golfers of all stripes with championship golf courses, indoor golf simulators, driving ranges and mini golf courses.
While the Moreton Bay region is famous for its stunning marine park and hinterland activities, there’s also a thriving retail scene waiting to be explored.
Channel 7's Weekender Crew visit Moreton Bay's newest attraction Mathema Gallery and the stunning Ocean View Estate Winery and Accommodation that surround it. Watch SUNDAY MARCH 10 from 5.30pm.
Channel 7's Weekender Crew and Lee Carseldine embark on a brewery hop, exploring some of the region's finest breweries in Brendale. Watch SUNDAY MARCH 31 from 5.30pm.