Best Brisbane Walks To Explore The Great Outdoors

Soak up that year-round sunshine and legendary vistas along the greatest Brisbane walks.

Lush parklands, Zen-inducing trails and one heck of an inner-city river—the best Brisbane walks showcase the city’s prettiest characteristics. From sweeping views of the water-fronting CBD to secret strolls through incredible native bushland, there’s a tailored expedition for every pace. Grab your sunscreen and lace up tight as we share the city’s well-trodden standouts.

1. The Brisbane Riverwalk

strolling along the Brisbane Riverwalk in the New Farm section — The Brisbane Riverwalk stretches from New Farm to Howard Smith Wharves.

A floating pedestrian (and cycle-friendly) footbridge right over the Brisbane River, the Brisbane Riverwalk is a man-made marvel. Stretching 870 metres from New Farm to Howard Smith Wharves, it’s split into a people and a bike lane, making for seamless scooting, whatever your movement mode.

Expect uninterrupted views of Story Bridge and smooth terrain from start to finish, and don’t forget your hat. Jutting far beyond the riverbank’s trees, this glorious Brisbane walk isn’t sheltered.

Address: Enter at Riverview Court in New Farm or at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane City

2. Mount Coot-tha Summit Circuit

a family admiring views from Mount Coot-tha Lookout — Be rewarded with breathtaking views from Mount Coot-tha Lookout. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Get your sweat on at the Mount Coot-tha Summit Circuit. A sealed trail that rewards guests with extraordinary views from Mount Coot-tha Lookout, the Brisbane walk is challenging so you’ll need to be reasonably fit to get involved.

A 12-kilometre loop that’s largely uphill with one particularly steep and seemingly never-ending incline, you’ll be marching alongside a stream of exercisers and bikers.

Address: Enter via the JC Slaughter Falls carpark at the Mount Coot-tha Reserve, 200 Mount Coot-tha Road, Mount Coot-tha.

3. West End River Walk

the West End River Walk in Brisbane — Be hypnotised by tranquil waters along the West End River Walk. (Image: Brisbane Marketing)

Be hypnotised by tranquil waters along the West End River Walk. A Brisbane walk that’s popular with families, it’s dotted with several playgrounds as it extends four kilometres to the gallery-speckled cultural precinct of South Bank.

There are also picnic areas and plenty of grassy expanses to seize, as well as an off-leash dog park. And while the footpath is flat and easy to navigate (with one portion split into cycling and pedestrian lanes), you’ll be tempted to halt your adventure when you spy the sloped picnic benches that angle out towards the river.

Address: Enter via the Orleigh Park ferry terminal, corner Orleigh and Hoogley Streets, West End

4. Brisbane City Loop

people tackling the Brisbane City Loop — The Brisbane City Loop includes walking over the Victoria Bridge from the CBD to South Bank.

An always-bustling trail, the Brisbane City Loop stretches over the Victoria Bridge from the CBD to South Bank, providing great views of the cultural precinct and easy access to the famous, brightly hued BRISBANE sign out the front of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Wander along the river at South Bank, past Streets Beach, one of the best kid-friendly things to experience in Brisbane, and along the Goodwill Bridge before returning to the CBD at Gardens Point Road.

Address: Enter via the Victoria Bridge at William Street, Brisbane City

5. Banks Street Reserve

For a total bushland immersion, head towards the Bank Street Reserve, a 30-odd-hectare forest that flows with beautiful flora and fauna. Wander the cooling oasis’ zigzagging pathways as the natural playground sings with diverse wildlife, including owls, rosellas, water dragons and kingfishers. Spotted gums run rife, as do big open grass patches perfect for kicking a ball or spreading a picnic across. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash.

Address: Enter via Banks Street, Alderley

6. Shorncliffe Walk

the Shorncliffe Pier in Brisbane — Stretch your legs all the way up to the Shorncliffe Pier. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Strapped for time? The 2.5-kilometre-return Shorncliffe Walk in Sandgate packs a punch for such a little stretch, boasting spectacular Moreton Bay views and proximity to coastal cafe culture. You’ll hug the Moreton Bay foreshore as it wraps around to Shorncliffe Parade and then Park Parade, home to a string of eateries and great coffee, before stretching your legs all the way up to the Shorncliffe Pier for even more sensational views.

Address: Enter where Sinbad Street turns into Allpass Parade, Sandgate

7. Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail

Paying tribute to the Aussie and American submariners who were based in Teneriffe during World War II, the Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail is a lovely river-fronting Brisbane walk steeped in history. While the water views are instantly soothing, there are also a handful of plaques and seating in the shape of navy vessels to take in. Cyclists are also welcome.

Address: Enter at the Teneriffe ferry terminal on Commercial Road, Newstead

8. Kangaroo Point River Walk

biking along the Kangaroo Point River Walk — Pedal your way along the scenic Kangaroo Point River Walk. (Image: Martin K Jacobsen)

Sheltered by overhanging trees, the Kangaroo Point River Walk is a scenic path to Brisbane’s CBD from one of the city’s most prestigious locales and best lookout spots.

You’ll wrap the Brisbane River all the way down as views of the Goodwill Bridge, South Bank, and the city skyline glisten from afar. This Brisbane walk is further beautified by a scattering of thought-provoking sculptures and a picnic area with a public barbecue.

Address: Enter at the Queensland Maritime Museum, 412 Stanley Street, South Brisbane

9. Boondall Wetlands’ Tabbil-ban dhagun Boardwalk

Be transported to another world inside the Boondall Wetlands in the city’s north-east, filled with mangroves, tidal flats, grasslands, eucalypt forest and salt marshes. There are several walking trails to choose but we love the Tabbil-ban dhagun Boardwalk for its deep immersion into mangrove central as it winds around Moreton Bay and Nudgee Creek. Bird life is strong in this sanctuary, so keep your eyes peeled for varieties in trees and stalking the tidal flats for their next meal.

Address: 31 Paperbark Drive, Boondall

10. Rocks Riverside Park Promenade

Located about 25 minutes from the CBD, Rocks Riverside Park is a hidden gem with one beautifully positioned promenade. Stretching out about 800 metres in length, the serene Brisbane walk provides glistening water views amid natural splendour, and once you’re done, there’s a water play area and barbecue facilities to help you lose complete track of time.

Address: 531 Seventeen Mile Rocks Road, Seventeen Mile Rocks

11. Daisy Hill Conservation Park’s Discovery Trail

a woman touching a koala at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre — Daisy Hill Conservation Park’s Discovery Trail protects the habitat of koalas.

A short but sweet Brisbane walk, the Discovery Trail in Daisy Hill Conservation Park snakes through a eucalypt forest to provide instant natural cooling on a hot day.

But best of all, you’ll bump into the Daisy Hill Koala Centre on the way, home to a handful of koalas and plenty of educational displays to remind you how timid and special our little bears truly are.

Address: Enter Daisy Hill Conservation Park’s Car Park 4, Daisy Hill Road, Daisy Hill

12. Gateway Bridge Walk

the Eat Street Northshore during the day — The Gateway Bridge Walk includes a stop at the buzzy entertainment precinct, Eat Street Northshore. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

You mightn’t think anything of the Gateway Bridge in Hamilton, a suburb famed for housing the buzzy entertainment precinct Eat Street Northshore, but if you venture out there one day, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind Brisbane walk.

A five-kilometre return stretch that’s best tackled if you’re quite fit, it features a steep incline dressed with mountainous views before returning you to ground level. If you’re pushing a pram, give this one a miss (or stay put at Queensport Rocks Park where the walk begins); however, cyclists tend to adore it.

Address: Enter at Queensport Rocks Park, at the end of Administration Road, Murarrie

Discover the best things to do in Brisbane.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Notch up steps in style on the 12 best Brisbane walks