Samford Conservation Park

Samford Conservation Park is six hundred hectares of ironbark and spotted gum forest between Ferny Hills and Samford Village, about 20 km north west of Brisbane. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service allows dogs on leash here, which is unusual for a Queensland conservation park and the reason most dog owners put it on the list. The catch worth understanding before you park: the permission covers shared trails, not every track in the park.

Leash status

Dogs are permitted on leash at all times, in the day-use areas, on designated walking tracks and on the shared trails used by walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Dogs are not permitted on the mountain-bike-only trails. The park map splits the network by classification and the categories interleave, so read the junction markers before turning or you will drift onto a bike trail without noticing. Bag waste and carry it out, since the bins live at the picnic areas.

The walk

There is no single Samford walk; a dozen named trails run off two entry points and you build the day yourself. The short ones are Bergin Creek at 143 m, Mopoke at 240 m, Water Tank at 423 m and Sunrise at 430 m. Middle distances include Pipeline at 700 m, Lorikeet at 893 m and the 1.7 km Fitness Trail. The long ones are Sunset at 2.2 km one way, Whipsnake at 2.3 km, Bandicoot at 2.5 km and Kombi at 2.7 km. For a bigger circuit, AllTrails logs PMG Road via Lomandra Road at 6.3 km with steady climbs and views over Samford Valley.

Water and terrain

Most of the network is rough fire trail and single track over ironbark ridges, so expect uneven ground rather than groomed path. Water is at the trailhead facilities rather than on the trails; carry what the dog will drink. The canopy is patchy on the higher sections, which matters in summer.

Getting there and parking

Two entries serve the park: the Ironbark Gully picnic area off Samford Road in Ferny Hills, with parking, toilets and picnic tables, and the Lomandra Road day-use area for the quieter eastern tracks. Trail bikes are prohibited throughout.

While you're out there

For a signed and gentler start, the Ironbark Gully Loop runs from the main picnic area. After the walk, Thomsett Park Fenced Dog Park and Samford Parklands Fenced Dog Park both cover the off-lead run the conservation park cannot.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly trails guide and the Ferny Hills destination page.

Max: a rare QPWS park that says yes to dogs, on a lead, on the shared trails only. Learn the trail classifications at the junctions and this is a full-day bushwalk factory on Brisbane's doorstep.