Chermside Hills Reserves

Chermside Hills Reserves is a 129 hectare block of open eucalypt forest on Brisbane's northside, stitched together from three adjoining reserves and threaded with walking tracks. Dogs are welcome on every one of those tracks, on-lead, and the wallabies are the reason the lead is not negotiable.

The walk. The full circuit linking the three reserves runs about 7.6 kilometres and takes two to two and a half hours at a bushwalking pace, graded moderate. It is not one path but a network, so you can cut it to whatever your dog has in them: the Giwadha track is a 2 km circuit on its own, and the tracks range from wide easy fire trail to narrower single track with some gradient. The northern reserve has its own page here, Milne Hill Reservoir, if you want the shorter version. Surfaces are natural throughout, so after rain expect mud and after a dry spell expect loose gravel.

The rules. Brisbane City Council manages all three reserves and dogs must be on-lead at all times, everywhere in the reserves. There is no off-lead exception anywhere inside the bushland, and the reason is sitting in it: swamp wallabies, goannas, gliders and more than 115 recorded bird species. This is habitat first and a walking track second. Clean up immediately and use the bins provided. The reserves are open around the clock.

The three reserves. Chermside Hills Reserve is entered from Trouts Road, Raven Street Reserve from Rode Road, and Milne Hill Reserve from Hamilton Road. Raven Street is the developed one, with a playground, picnic tables and barbecues, and the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre sits at that entrance if you want to know what you are looking at. The other two entrances are plainer: a track, a sign, and bush.

Water and shade. The canopy is open eucalypt rather than closed rainforest, so shade is patchy and Brisbane heat gets through. There is no reliable water on the tracks themselves, which matters over seven kilometres. Carry enough for your dog and plan to refill at the Raven Street facilities.

Hazards. Mosquitoes are the constant one, worst in humid weather after rain. Heat is the serious one, because the full circuit is long enough that an overheating dog becomes a real problem a long way from the car. Tracks close occasionally for maintenance, including the Giwadha track, so check the signs at the trailhead. Snakes use this country too.

Getting there. Free on-street parking sits near the Trouts Road entrance at Chermside West. By bus, route 353 stops on Hamilton Road near Trouts Road. Bikeways run through the southern section of Raven Street Reserve.

Nearby with the dogs. For off-lead running afterwards, Chermside Dog Park is the big fenced option and Martindale Street Park is closer to the Trouts Road end. Routine is the local coffee, Nana and Da's at Kedron is worth the short drive, and Chermside Tavern and Quest Chermside cover the longer stay.

When to go. Mid-week mornings, early. Weekends and public holidays bring families to the Raven Street picnic areas, and Brisbane afternoons through summer are too hot for a seven kilometre bush circuit with a dog. Good for big runners with the stamina for a full morning out.

Sources

• Chermside Hills Reserves | Brisbane City Council · www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
• Chermside Hills Reserves Circuit, Queensland, Australia - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com
• Chermside Hills Reserves - Must Do Brisbane · www.mustdobrisbane.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.