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Brisbane walks – five of the best

One of the great things about being an international students is exploring your new home – and what better way to do it than on foot?

One of the great things about being an international students is exploring your new home – and what better way to do it than on foot? From urban strolls to mountain trails, when it comes to walking in Brisbane, there’s truly something for everyone. Get to know the city and surrounds with these five great walks.

1. Kangaroo Point City Walk

   Want to get to know Brisbane in a hurry? This popular walk will take you through some of the city’s most notable green spaces and urban environments, all in a brief 5 kilometres. You’ll start at the Maritime Museum and make your way along the path towards Kangaroo Point. Cross the Story Bridge and then head back to the city along the riverfront, passing parks and mangrove swamps as you go. You’ll also find yourself in close proximity to the City Botanic Gardens – it’s worth a detour to explore the gardens if you have time. The best bit? With the exception of the steps up and down from the bridge, this walk is almost entirely flat, making it an easy stroll for people of all fitness levels.

2. Teneriffe to New Farm walk

   The Teneriffe to New Farm walk is one of Brisbane’s better-known strolls – this easy walking/cycling trail starts at Teneriffe’s historic wool stores before meandering along the riverfront to the Brisbane Powerhouse. The second half of the walk is a tour of nearby green spaces – cut through New Farm Park and down to Merther Park before ending at the Sydney Street Ferry Terminal. If that hasn’t sated your energy, you can continue along the riverfront until you hit the Story Bridge – here, you can pick up the Kangaroo Point City Walk (see above) and morph two walks into one. Or, keep on keeping on to the QUT Campus, Milton or all the way to Toowong (~10kms) for a truly spectacular urban experience.

3. Tabbil Ban Dhagun Mangrove Boardwalk (Nudgee Beach)

   If you’re looking for a scenic walk right near campus, the Tabbil Ban Dhagun Mangrove Boardwalk is just a short drive away. The name means ‘place of salt water’ in the local Aboriginal language – and it’s not hard to see why. The walk traverses Nudgee Creek across for an easy 2km. You’ll walk along a raised boardwalk through a vast mangrove swamp – keep your eyes peeled for crabs and other aquatic lifeforms that call the tidal flats home and take a moment (or more!) to admire the stunning views out over Moreton Bay.

4. Mt Coo-tha Lookout

   The Mt Coo-tha lookout is one of Brisbane’s best known but getting all the way up there is easier than you think – in fact, you can do it in about 30 minutes. Start at the JC Slaughter Falls picnic area and walk through bushland past Aboriginal art, picnic areas, waterfalls and city skyline views that increase in their intensity the higher you get. From the top, you’ll be able to see Brisbane in all its glory – bonus points if you can get there for sunrise or sunset.

5. Wynnum to Manly shoreline walk

   This 10km walk (or ride!) isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a great way to get familiar with the local coastline. Start at Oyster Point and walk along the esplanade to Pandanus beach, a great little place to dip your toes in the water, have a splash in the huge tidal pool or wander down the Wynnum jetty for more ocean views. From there, you’ll wander past parks and war memorials, cafes and bars until you reach the beautiful Manly Marina, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Staying safe

Australia is a stunning country, but when it’s time to get out in the great outdoors, it’s important to do it safely. Before you set off on a walk, pack plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen (even if it’s cloudy!), snacks and comfortable shoes. Read up on the walks and track conditions before you set out and choose a walk that’s a good match for your fitness level and experience.