Wickham Timber Reserve

Wickham Timber Reserve is a slice of Plunkett Conservation Park in Cedar Creek, and it is the local answer for dog owners wanting to swap suburban streets for dirt trails and eucalypt bush. Dogs are welcome on the formed trails on a leash, and the mix of easy bushwalking and rocky scrambling makes it one of the more interesting dog walks in the Logan region.

The walk

Wide dirt and gravel paths wind through open woodland and eucalypt forest, with options from a quick 3 km return walk to longer loops at mostly easy to moderate difficulty. The ground gets steeper and rockier towards Wickham Peak lookout, a popular casual bouldering spot, where the reward is sweeping views over the Cedar Creek valley and towards Mount Barney.

Leash status

Dogs must stay on leash at all times in Plunkett Conservation Park and the reserve, under effective control throughout. Bag and remove all waste, because there are no bins on site. The critical boundary point: dogs are strictly prohibited in the adjoining Wickham National Park, so watch the signage and stay on the conservation park side of the line.

Watch-outs

Max: the tracks are shared with horse riders and mountain bikers, and the rocky descents get slippery. Keep your dog in close on blind corners and take the steep gravel sections slow.

This is undeveloped bushland, so it is a self-sufficient walk: no toilets, no drinking water and no bins anywhere in the reserve. Carry plenty for both of you, and expect muddy sections after rain. The rough, rocky ground makes it unsuitable for wheelchairs and a poor fit for dogs with joint issues.

Getting there

Informal roadside parking sits near the entrances via Flesser Road or Steele Road in Cedar Creek, south of Logan Village. There is nothing in the way of facilities, so set up everything from the car.

Close by with the dogs

If your dog still has energy, the Buxton Park Fenced Dog Park at Yarrabilba and the Noyer Park Fenced Dog Park at Bahrs Scrub are the nearby enclosed options, and the Logan Village to Yarrabilba rail trail makes a flatter follow-up walk. Cornerstone Cafe at Jimboomba covers coffee on the way home.

When to go

Early morning, especially in summer, when the exposed sections heat up fast. Weekdays are quietest, and weekends bring mountain bikers and horse riders through the shared network. Good for sure-footed dogs who like a scramble rather than a flat stroll.

More options are on the Queensland dog walks guide and the Cedar Creek destination page.