Science has found countless benefits, both physical and mental, to walking. And fortunately, if you live in Brisbane or are there for a visit, you’ll find plenty of stunning settings to do so. The Queensland capital city is packed with scenic walks both within the city and on its outskirts, running along rivers, over mountains and through gardens and bushland.
Ahead, from a walk that wanders through the city’s beautiful botanic gardens, to another on a steep bushland path that’ll see you panting, and another on Brisbane’s closest island where you can spot turtles and dolphins, there are our picks for the best Brisbane walks to add to your hit list this year.
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Circuit
This 2km loop trail is relatively flat and takes roughly 30 minutes to complete. It winds through the 20-hectare Brisbane Botanic Gardens, home to many rare and unusual botanic species. Take photos at ornamental ponds, pass by a lagoon built for irrigation and drainage and admire Anzac pines, planted in 1979 with seeds collected at Gallipoli where ANZACs fought during World War I.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
At 161km-long, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) is Australia’s longest rail trail. It follows a disused rail trail that started construction in 1884 and was completed in 1913. The BVRT winds its way up the Brisbane Valley, traversing farmland, forests and country towns. The trail officially starts near Wulkuraka Station and finishes in Yarraman Station Park in Yarraman.
Keperra Bushland Reserve Walk
Among Brisbane walks, those in this area will make you feel most ‘in nature’. Keperra Bushland Reserve is a 150-hectare bush reserve, home to a handful of walking paths, lookouts and rest tops. The most popular circuit is 2.8km and takes roughly 75 minutes to complete. It starts from the car park on Levitt Road in Keperra, and runs along a partially bitumen track, with views of The Gap, Mt Glorious and Mt Coot-tha along the way.
Gorge Walk North Stradbroke Island
North Stradbroke Island is 30km from Brisbane mainland, and connected to it via driving, ferry ride or water taxi. Gorge Walk on the northeastern tip of island is a 1.2-km boardwalk that follows the headland of Point Lookout, providing breathtaking views. Spot turtles, dolphins and manta rays in the clear waters below.
Enoggera Creek Bikeway
Enogerra Creek Bikeway is a shared-use trail that weaves through Brisbane’s northern suburbs of Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket. If you start at Windsor and continue to The Gap, the path is 13km-long one way, though there are numerous entry and exit points along the way. The path is generally flat and follows alongside the Enoggera Creek. You can easily catch a public train or bus back to your parked car at the end.
Kangaroo Point River Walk
For a city option, walk or cycle 7km-return Kangaroo Point River Walk. The path along Brisbane River passes Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves, and riverfront cafés where you can stop for a coffee, drink or lunch. The path also passes sculptures, historic relics and botanic gardens.
Wynnum to Manly Walk
This walk packs a lot of variety into its 10km-return length, including the calm waters of Oyster Point, the jetty and beach at Wyunnum and the yacht marina at Manly. The walk starts at Elanora Park and runs to the Lota Creek Boardwalk, but you can join the track wherever you’d like. Make even more of a day of it stopping at Pandanus Beach, which has a water park.
Related: Grab Your Hiking Boots and Hit One of These 10 Best Walks in and Around Melbourne
Related: 10 of the Best Greater Sydney Walks You Can Do in a Day
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