Barney’s Pond

Barney's Pond is a natural, unfenced freshwater swimming hole for dogs inside Rainbow Forest Park in Fig Tree Pocket, a leafy riverside suburb a short drive west of the Brisbane CBD. This is bushland rather than a manicured park: dirt tracks, trees, and a pond that locals treat as their quiet go-to for a dog paddle.

The walk

An easy loop trail winds around the pond through the surrounding bush, roughly half a kilometre to a kilometre depending on how much you wander off the main track. Surfaces are natural dirt and leaf litter rather than pavement, and sections can turn muddy and slippery after rain, so expect boots rather than sneakers if it has been wet. It is a casual stroll, not a hike, and the pond is the destination as much as the walk.

Leash status

Off-leash exercise is permitted here, but under Brisbane City Council rules dogs must stay under effective control at all times and return reliably on command. That matters more than usual at Barney's Pond: the area is unfenced and sits close to Jesmond Road, so recall needs to be solid before you unclip. Carry a lead and use it on the way in and out.

Water and terrain

The pond is the drawcard: a freshwater swim spot that is inland and not tide-affected. Water levels can rise or drop noticeably after heavy rain, so have a look at conditions before you commit, and skip the swim if the water is running or murky after a storm. The banks are natural and uneven, and dogs that are confident swimmers get the most out of it.

Worth knowing

Amenities are minimal. There are no formal signs, no paved car park and no reliable bag bins, so it is strictly carry-in, carry-out: bring your own waste bags and take rubbish home with you. Bring drinking water for both ends of the lead as well.

Pepsi: a freshwater pond with a proper loop trail around it and barely anyone around on a weekday. Towel the dog off before the car ride home though, the seats will thank you.

Getting there and parking

The entrance is off Jesmond Road, roughly opposite the Rainbow Forest Park signage, and street parking along Jesmond Road is the easiest option. Bus stops on Jesmond Road and Hourihan Road get you close, but driving is by far the simplest way in.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings through early afternoons are the quiet window; Sunday afternoons draw the biggest crowd. If you want a fenced alternative for a dog still working on recall, the Fig Tree Pocket Off-Leash Dog Park on Botticelli Street has fully fenced runs for large and small dogs, and Faulkner Park in Graceville adds a riverside walk just across the river. For a post-walk coffee, Ananas Espresso is a short drive away.

More dog walks in Queensland and other spots around Fig Tree Pocket are worth a look if you are in the area for a weekend.