The best traffic-free bike rides in Gold Creek Reservoir

Cabbage Tree Creek Bikeway is a lovely, sealed shared pathway that follows Cabbage Tree Creek through a mix of bushland reserves, parkland, and open green space. It’s a mostly flat route that crosses a series of bridges and boardwalks as it runs along local parks, playgrounds, and neighbouring suburbs, making it popular for walking, running, and cycling. This creekside path is a great way to enjoy a peaceful stroll and is a nice escape from the urban hustle.

Devils Break is a wide, multi-use doubletrack, climbing through thick eucalyptus forests. After heavy rain the track can become a bit washed out with some loose stones, but it's easy to follow even with a lack of signage. If tackling the track from south to north, there is a steep climb in the beginning, but take the track the opposite way, and there will be a steep descent.

Ring Road is the main access route through Bunyaville Conservation Park, linking picnic areas, trailheads, and shared forest tracks beneath a canopy of tall eucalypts. The unsealed road winds through dry woodland and shaded gullies, with regular access to walking trails, mountain bike routes, and picnic facilities along the way. Around The Gully picnic area, you’ll find toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and easy access to several short bush tracks through the forest.

Samford Conservation Park includes a network of shared and specialised trails, with the main walking route being the Crebra Circuit—a short 900-metre Grade 3 loop that winds through ironbark forest from the Ironbark Gully picnic area. Beyond this, a more expansive system of multi-use trails (shared by walkers, horse riders, and cyclists) connects fire roads and forest tracks across the park, ideal for an extended walk with plenty of varied route options. There are also multiple designated mountain-bike-only trails, including Kombi, Bandicoot, and Sunset, offering purpose-built downhill and intermediate-to-difficult riding experiences within the park’s wider trail network.

Samford Conservation Park is a beautiful bushland reserve near the rural township of Samford Valley northwest of Brisbane. The park protects eucalypt forest and creek habitats that support native wildlife, including wallabies, koalas, and a variety of bird species, while also preserving part of the area’s natural catchment. There is a network of walking and cycling tracks and fire trails throughout the grounds, where you can explore the park’s ridgelines and gullies, making it an ideal location for quiet nature-based recreation close to the city.

Ironbark Gully picnic area is a popular day-use facility within Samford Conservation Park, set among open eucalypt forest near the park’s main access point at Samford Valley. There are picnic tables, shelters, and a trailhead for the short Crebra Circuit walking track, making it a convenient start or end point for exploring the park. Surrounded by ironbark woodland and native wildlife habitat, it’s a quiet bush setting ideal for a lovely picnic with access to the park’s wider trail network.

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.

A very stunning pathway with so many different beautiful aspects.