No matter what type of walk you’re looking for, there are plenty of dog-friendly walks to choose from in and around Brisbane in south east Queensland. From city walks to bushwalks and even board walks, I’ve rounded up a selection of excellent walks for your next outing with your pup.
#1 New Farm Riverwalk
Distance: 2km return (or longer)
Difficulty: Easy boardwalk
On-leash the entire length
One of my favourite dog-friendly walks in the heart of Brisbane is the New Farm Riverwalk, the suspended walkway that hangs above the Brisbane River in between New Farm and the city’s eastern edge. The walk is terrific for taking in views of the city skyline and the Story Bridge.
Also known simply as the Riverwalk, the walk starts at the end of Riverview Circuit in New Farm. It then curves above the river alongside its eastern bank until rejoining land at Howard Street Wharves, underneath the towering Story Bridge.
This section of the Riverwalk is just 1km long, but it’s possible to continue your walk on the boardwalk alongside the river even further, perhaps to the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens or the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. (Just note there is a detour in one section during 2025 while construction work takes place.)
Make sure you keep your dog leashed on this walk, plus also don’t block the popular path, which is shared with cyclists, joggers and regular walkers. At Howard Street Wharves, Felons Brewing Co and the adjacent Felons Barrel Hall are dog-friendly in outdoor areas and the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or a meal, at the many outdoor tables or on a comfy beanbag.
#2 Summit Track, Mt Coot-tha Forest
Distance: 5km return
Difficulty: Moderate paved bushwalk
On-leash the entire length
You don’t need to head far from the centre of Brisbane for some great bushwalks that you can enjoy with your dog, some also with great city views. A particularly popular spot is the Mt Coot-tha Forest, only 5km west and a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre, and home to plenty of bush walking tracks.
One of the most popular tracks is the popular Summit Track. Starting at the JC Slaughter Falls picnic area, the paved track ascends up to the summit of Mt Coot-tha. (Be ready for a work out!) When you reach the road, cross over and follow the footpath to the Summit Lookout. The lookout is also accessible by car and offers panoramic views of Brisbane.
Return by the same return or alternatively descend along the Mahogany Track, a slightly longer dirt fire trail that also returns to the same picnic area. Note that dogs need to stay leashed everywhere at Mt Coot-tha.
#3 Simpson Falls Track, Mt Coot-that Forest
Distance: 1.3km return
Difficulty: Easy-moderate bushwalk
On-leash the entire length
Mt Coot-tha is the largest conservation reserve in all of Brisbane, with more than 1600 hectares of open eucalypt forest and over 50 walking trails to choose from. If you’re pressed for time or want a shorter walk, another popular track is the Simpson Falls Track.
Starting from the Simpsons Falls picnic area, this track is just 650m long each way, ending at the falls of the same name. Unfortunately though, the falls were completely dry when we visited – it’s best to visit after heavy rain to see the falls flowing.
This walking track is a dirt track, with a mesh-floored lookout overhang at the end. While just a short track, it does ascend up to the floors and can be slippery during wet weather. If you want to extend your walk, you can continue on the Eugenia Circuit, that starts at the falls.
#4 Bribie Beach Walk
Distance: Up to 8km return
Difficulty: Moderate beach walk
Off-leash the entire length
My favourite beach in the Brisbane area that you don’t need a ferry to visit is the off-leash dog beach on Bribie Island, in between Woorim Beach and Red Beach. Stretching for about 4km, its golden sands also makes for an excellent beach walk you can enjoy with your dog, completely off-leash!
I recommend starting your walk from the access path at the end of Lowry Street in Woorim, where there’s a handy dog washing station with a hose that you can utilise after the end of your walk. Once you hit the sand turn to your right and start walking as far as you and your pup want.
When you get to Red Beach (or if you start at this point), note that the section for a few hundred metres nearest the carpark is on-leash – look out for the signs. There are clear maps at the access points, which are also available online.
I found the waters around Bribie Island to be quite calm, especially at Red Beach. Note however that Woorim Beach is technically a surf beach, but on the calm day that I visited the waves were minuscule.
After working up an aopetite on your long walk, a great spot for lunch is the Social Cafe at the Bribie Island RSL Club. This RSL Club has a dog-friendly outdoor dining area, complete with a water tap and bowls for dogs. I’ve even seen reports recently of a new dog menu – ask if it’s available.
#5 Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk
Distance: 2.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy boardwalk and paved path
On-leash the entire length (off-leash park nearby)
Much of the shoreline around Brisbane consists of mudflats and mangroves. A great spot to view these up close with your dog (and keep your feet dry and clean) is the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk, in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.
The boardwalk starts next to the carpark and runs for a few hundred metres through the mangroves. For the best views of the mudflats and a chance to spot critters, visit at or close to low tide. Signs along the way provide information about this important part of the local environment.
After the boardwalk ends, it’s possible to simply retrace your footsteps for a short walk, but for a 2.1km loop walk continue on the paved path towards the Wynnum Wetlands bird hide and return by the paved path on land. The full loop is shown in this route on AllTrails.
There’s also a fenced dog park back next to the carpark, if your dog is eager for an off-leash run. Dogs need to be kept leashed on the rest of the walk. I also recommend spraying for insects beforehand!
#6 Sandstone Circuit, Toohey Forest
Distance: 1.3km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate paved and bush walk
On-leash the entire length
Toohey Forest is a surprisingly large area of natural bushland, just 10km south of the centre of Brisbane, adjacent to two campuses of Griffith University. One of the best short walking trails to follow is the Sandstone Circuit, starting at the Toohey Picnic Area on Toohey Road.
Rather than follow the sign along the unpaved track, I recommend firstly heading straight ahead along the paved shared path. After a few hundred metres, you’ll come to a short section of elevated boardwalk, a great chance to look out for the resident koalas in the treetops. I hope you have better luck than me!
Shortly after, you’ll come to the turnoff for the Western Overlook. Follow the sealed walking path both to the Sandstone Overlook and the Western Overlook, the latter offering views of Brisbane past the trees.Finally, backtrack a little way and take the dirt track on your left, that leads you back to the main picnic area and carpark. With these extensions your route is about 1.3km.
For a longer walk, there’s plenty more options in the forest. The paved shared use path continues all the way to the Nathan Campus, 2.3km long. There’s also lots of dirt tracks branching off each side. It’s best to track your position on a map, as there’s so many options. Plus note that no dogs are allowed at the university campuses.
#7 Rocks Track, Karawatha Forest
Distance: 2.5km loop
Difficulty: Moderate bush walk
On-leash the entire length
Karawatha Forest is a large tract of bushland further south of the Brisbane city centre, preserved thanks to the bushland levy. One of the most popular tracks in the reserve is the Rocks Track.
This 2.5km circuit is a gravel and dirt track that passes through countless towering grey gums and ironbarks. Gradually meandering uphill, it passes through sandstone outcrops that give the track its name, including a short section of boardwalk.
Koalas can be spotted in the forest (look up the smooth barked grey gums), so always keep your dog leashed. While I didn’t spot any, a kangaroo bounded across the path ahead at one point.
The 1.2km-long Ironbark Circuit can be tacked onto the end of the Rocks Track, as shown in this route on AllTrails, for a longer 3.4km loop. Or walk the shorter paved path as an easier alternative. There are also countless wider shared gravel trails that criss-cross the rest of the reserve.
Note: The bridge near the end of the Rocks Track is currently closed for repairs until July 2025. A longer detour is currently in place.
#8 Paperbark & Tree Discovery Trails, Daisy Hill Conservation Park
Distance: 2km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate paved and bush walk
On-leash the entire length
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is best known for its free koala centre. Not surprisingly, pet dogs can’t visit the centre – there’s a sign forbidding pets at the start of the walkway to it. However, they are allowed on most walking trails in the reserve, plus the beautiful sprawling picnic grounds, where you may spot a wallaby or two.
The picnic ground is also the starting point of two short dog-friendly walks. The Tree Discovery Trail is the longer of the two, a meandering dirt path under the tall gum trees. Signs along the way provide more information about eucalypts and the reserve’s former life as a state forest – logging only finished in 1991.
My pick though of the two short walks is the Paperbark Trail. This short circuit loops through a small wetland, home to water loving melaleucas or paperbark trees. Part of the walk is a gorgeous boardwalk.
It’s easy to combine the two walks. The Paperbark Trail felt shorter than the listed 450m, while the Tree Discovery Trail seemed longer then the 1.2km length given. They are separated by about 200m of footpath. It’s requested that you pick up after your dog and take it home, as well as always keep your dogs leashed.
#9 Giwadha Track, Chermside Hills Reserve
Distance: 2km loop
Difficulty: Moderate bush walk
On-leash the entire length (off-leash park nearby)
Chermside Hills Reserve is one of the many bushland reserves in the north of Brisbane. One of the best dog-friendly walking tracks is the 2km-long Giwadha Track. Giwadha means lace monitor (goanna) in the local Aboriginal language – not that I saw any of my walk!
To access the track, park at the start of Trouts Road (South), then take the bridge over the creek. The track is most often walked in a clockwise direction, firstly running through the forest alongside the creek. The second half of the walk is more open, with many beautiful grass trees dotting the hillside.
Towards the end of the circuit, you can take a detour up Spider Hill, the highest point in the reserve. I don’t recommend it – the trees have obscured the views and it’s treacherous walking back down the gravel path. This walking track is mainly a dirt and gravel track, with a few short sections of roughly asphalted track and boardwalk.
Many of the signs still request you to leave your dog at home. Ignore this – dogs are now allowed, but keep them leashed and on the track. For some off-leash fun, it’s just a short walk along a paved shared path to the Martindale Street Park Off-Leash Dog Area, a medium-size fenced dog park under shady trees.
#10 Banksia and Xanthorrhoea Loop, Raven Street Reserve
Distance: 1.75km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate paved walk
On-leash the entire length (off-leash park nearby)
Chermside Hills Reserves actually encompassed threes reserves, including Raven Street Reserve, home to the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and a picnic area off Rode Road. All of the tracks I followed in this park were sealed, not just the bikeway passing through it, making this reserve a good option for wet days.
A great loop option is to start at the bushland centre and follow the Banksia Track, then return by the Xanthorrhoea Track (the scientific name of the grass trees found throughout the reserve). I also recommend adding on the Creek Track, with its viewing deck above the creek.
On the other side of Rode Road is the Rode Road Dog Park. Combine a walk through the bush with an off-leash run at the park. The main area is quite long, with agility equipment and plenty of space for running. At the far end is a small area for small dogs and puppies.
#11 Kangaroo Point Cliffs Boardwalk
Distance: 4km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate paved walk
On-leash the entire length
Since the opening of the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge in late 2024, it’s now possible to do a great loop walk taking in the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Boardwalk and the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, linked by the new bridge and the existing Goodwill Bridge.
The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is a spectacular new car-free bridge, with separate sides for cyclist and pedestrians – the latter shaded by a roof! Once you reach the other side of the river, take the lift down to meet the path along the river.
Although it’s often called the Cliffs Boardwalk, note that most of it isn’t boardwalk, just some short sections. When I recently walked this route in early 2025, sections of the boardwalk were being renovated and were soon to re-open. Hopefully some other fenced off sections are also renovated.
Walking south towards Southbank and the Goodwill Bridge, you’ll pass by the colourful Man and Matter Sculptures, that were relocated here after the Brisbane Expo in 1988. Much of the pedestrian walkway is separated from the bike path that follows the same route.
After the Maritime Museum, head up over the Goodwill Bridge to the southern end of the City Botanic Gardens. Follow the Bunya Walk or another footpath of your choosing to the other end of the gardens, at the Edward Street Gates, and loop up onto the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.
There are multiple places that you can park along the route, including the carpark in the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, near the picnic area. Dogs need to be kept leashed along the walk, although there is a small fenced dog park just north of the route, near the Holman Street ferry terminal.
#12 Gorge Walk, North Stradbroke Island
Distance: 1.2km loop
Difficulty: Easy-moderate unpaved walk and boardwalk
On-leash the entire length
For this final walk, you’ll need to take a ferry across to North Stradbroke Island; unlike Bribie Island this island isn’t connected by a bridge. A popular destination for beach camping and 4WDing, one of the other population attractions on the island is the Gorge Walk.
The so-called gorges are located in Point Lookout, near the start of Main Beach. For spectacular coastal views, and the chance to spot whales during the winter months, follow the Gorge Walk that starts near the end of Mooloomba Road.
This 1.2km loop is predominantly a wooden boardwalk, that beautifully clings to the cliff sides of the rocky terrain. Note that there are quite a few stairways. There are also sections of dirt and gravel path at the beginning and end, with the final link of the loop provided by the paved footpath alongside the road.
Dogs are welcome to join you on this walk, that is located outside of the national parks on the island. Just remember to leash your dog, with extra signs at the start of the walk to remind you. The walk can be quite busy, plus there are some side detours onto rock platforms that can be dangerous during rough seas.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.