Easy hikes and walks in Enoggera Reservoir

Grey Gums Picnic Area is one of the quieter picnic spots in Mt Coot-tha Reserve, surrounded by tall eucalyptus forest and walking tracks leading deeper into the bushland. Picnic tables, open grassy space, toilets, and nearby trail access make it a common starting point for walks like the Eugenia Circuit and West Ithaca Creek trails. The surrounding forest canopy also provides more shade here than many of the exposed ridgeline areas elsewhere in the reserve.

Eugenia Circuit loops through quieter sections of Mt Coot-tha Reserve, combining narrow bush tracks, shaded gullies, and rolling forested terrain beneath spotted gums and ironbarks. The circuit passes through several creek crossings and denser vegetation around West Ithaca Creek, giving parts of the walk a cooler and more enclosed feel than the drier ridgelines elsewhere in the reserve. After rain, muddy patches and flowing water make this one of the more atmospheric circuits close to Brisbane.

West Ithaca Creek winds through shaded gullies and dense bushland on the lower slopes of Mt Coot-tha Reserve, flowing through one of the wetter creek corridors in Brisbane’s western suburbs. Along the Eugenia Circuit, the creek is crossed by small footbridges and drainage lines surrounded by palms, ferns, and thicker vegetation than the drier ridgelines above.

The Golden Boulder Track is a short, easy walking track that traces the legacy of the 1860s gold rush, passing fenced mineshafts and quartz remains from historic mining attempts that ultimately yielded little gold. It winds through open eucalypt forest, and if you’re here in the spring, there are beautiful wildflowers dotted on the forest floor. Birdlife is abundant here, so keep an eye out; you might even spot a kookaburra during your walk along the way.

Turrbal Circuit is a short, easy loop walk that winds through open eucalypt forest along Cedar Creek. The track crosses the creek several times via small bridges and follows an easy, family-friendly route through shaded bushland with opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Named after the Turrbal people, the traditional custodians of the land, the circuit is an important part of the area’s cultural heritage while remaining a popular, accessible nature walk.

Bellbird Grove is a popular picnic and recreation area within Brisbane Forest Park, nestled along Cedar Creek and surrounded by eucalypt forest. There are barbecues, shelters, toilets, and open grassy spaces, making it an ideal base for short walks and family outings. It’s also a trailhead for several walking tracks, with lots of birdlife, including whipbirds, cockatoos, and wonga pigeons. While you’re here, be sure to listen for the distinctive call of Bell Miners (or bellbirds), which call this area home.

This sandy swimming area at Enoggera Reservoir is a rare inland “beach” experience in Brisbane. A roped enclosure marks the designated swim zone, creating a safer space for cooling off while keeping paddlers and wildlife separate. The beach is open seven days a week, from 5.30 am to 6.30 pm between September and April, and from 6.00 am to 5.30 pm between May and August.

Enoggera Reservoir sits within D’Aguilar National Park on Brisbane’s north-western edge, offering a mix of bushwalking, mountain biking and non-motorised water activities. The reservoir is popular for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and designated swimming areas. Surrounding tracks wind through open eucalypt forest and shaded gullies. Carry water, and stay on marked tracks to protect surrounding bushland.