Brisbane's Secret Walking Trails

Along with its many well-trodden bush, bay and river walks, Brisbane’s suburbs and surrounds are also awash with hidden walking trails that only the locals know about.

From rail trails to secret lagoons, wetlands to remnant forests, here are 10 of the paths less travelled that are worth taking time out to explore:

Tingalpa Creek Reserve

Starting at the scenic and secluded banks of Tingalpa Creek, this 2 km return walk passes fishing outposts and canoe launching ramp before taking in a paperbark and eucalypt forest...more 

Fig Tree Pocket River Reserve

Only the locals know about the walking path that starts at a picturesque park and playground in the leafy western suburb and hugs the river all the way around to face off with Rocks Riverside Park...more

Sheep Station Gully Algester

This short well paved walk of roughly 2.5km return cuts a swathe through a secret lush forest complete with remnant lilypad covered billabongs and the odd tiny playground in a clearing...more

Springfield Lakes Promenade

The master built community of Springfield Lakes comes complete with walking tracks connecting the housing pockets via artificial lakes and this quirky walk features sculptures and giant sun lounges...more

Karawatha Forest Wild May Trail

This trail of a little over an hour’s walk starts at the splendid green Illaweena Picnic Area and meanders through a dense lost world of ancient-looking lagoons and wispy yellow tea tree...more

Bunyaville Conservation Park

This wildlife sanctuary right in the middle of Brisbane suburbia features the Bunyaville Conservation Track which meanders 1.7km through bushland with an offshoot Tree Discovery Circuit...more

Purga Nature Reserve

Outside of Ipswich CBD is this secluded other worldly reserve that is the largest remnant of Swamp Tea Tree in Australia, with boardwalks traversing it and wallabies and Easter Grey kangaroos to spot...more

Cornubia Forest Park

A wide easy grade path cuts through a lush green oasis of fig and gum trees on the suburban outskirts south of Brisbane, with quaint wooden bridges, benches and wildlife habitats...more

Point Halloran Reserve

The short Wet’n’Wild Circuit of 1.25km takes in a stunning and wildly varying landscape including lunar red claypan flats, she oaks and a red gum forest with contemplation benches along the way...more

Ferny Grove Rail Trail

Connecting Ferny Grrove and Samford is this secret walking trail that was once a railway track until the Camp Mountain train disaster, after which the tracks were removed.... more