Ironbark Gully Loop

Ironbark Gully Loop is a 3.9 km circuit on the fire trails of Samford Conservation Park at Ferny Hills, about half an hour north-west of Brisbane under ironbarks and spotted gums. Queensland parks usually close the gate on dogs, and this one does not: leashed dogs are welcome on the shared trails, which makes it a rare proper bushwalk option for Brisbane dog owners.

The walk

The loop is wide, undulating management trail rather than singletrack, graded moderate, taking about an hour to an hour and a half. The surface is compacted gravel with some steep, loose sections where the trail drops into the gully, so it rewards dogs with a bit of engine.

Shade is decent for most of the way under red ironbark and spotted gum forest, and wallabies move through early and late in the day.

Leash status

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages the park, and its Samford Conservation Park page sets the rules: dogs on lead and under control at all times, permitted on the authorised shared trails and day use areas but not on trails signed as mountain bike only. The junction signage tells you which is which, so read it rather than following the first track out of the car park.

Bag your dog's droppings and carry them out, and keep the lead on through the picnic area too.

Water

There is a trough at the top car park that serves horses and dogs, and nothing reliable on the loop itself. Carry water for both of you, especially in summer when the exposed pitches cook.

Watch outs

Snakes are active in the warmer months and long grass runs either side of the trail, so give the edges a wide berth and check for ticks afterwards. The loose gravel on the steeper sections is slippery for dogs and humans alike.

This is a shared network with bikes and horses. Step off the trail on the downhill side for horses so the rider can see you, and keep the lead short on descents around blind corners.

Getting there

The Ironbark Gully car park is off Samford Road, on the right heading out from Ferny Hills towards Samford Village, with wood fire barbecues, picnic tables, shelter and toilets at the picnic area. Translink runs to Ferny Grove Station, but it is a long walk from there, so driving is the practical choice.

More walks nearby

The Samford Conservation Park trail covers the wider reserve network. For fenced off lead running, the Thomsett Park fenced dog park and the Ferny Grove Dog Park are both close, and Bloom & Bean in Samford Valley takes dogs outside for the after walk coffee.

More options are on the Queensland trail guide and the Ferny Hills destination page.

Max: this is shared with bikes and horses on blind corners, so step off the trail on the downhill side where the rider can see you.

When to go

Weekday mornings are best, when bike and horse traffic thins out. Weekend mornings, Sunday especially, are the busiest and the car park fills early. In summer, go at first light.