Ewan Maddock Dam Main Track - Full Trail

Ewan Maddock Dam Main Track is a long gravel multi-use trail around Ewen Maddock Dam at Glenview, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The one fact that decides the day for dog owners: dogs are on leash at all times and are banned from the lake, the foreshore and the boat ramps, so this is a walking track only, never a swimming spot.

The walk. The full trail logs 15.3 km, graded moderate at 3 of 5, taking 4 to 4.5 hours. The land manager and regional tourism sources describe the main track itself as roughly 9 km one way, with smaller loops branching off it, so the total distance you cover depends on which loops you add. The surface is wide, well-maintained gravel, shared with cyclists and horse riders, and largely flat with a few short steeper pitches near the main car park. Expect a shaded canopy of tall eucalypts, palms and paperbarks, with stretches that run right along the lake edge. If you want a shorter version of the same country, see Ewan Maddock Dam Main Track, Yellow and Blue, the approach from the Gympie Street North entrance, or Maddock Park on Ewen Maddock Dam itself.

The rules. Seqwater manages Ewen Maddock Dam and requires dogs to be leashed at all times, with a maximum of two dogs per handler. Dogs and other pets are not permitted to enter the lake under any circumstances, and they are prohibited from all foreshore areas and boat ramps. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are exempt from these restrictions. Clean up after your dog and bin the waste, and keep dogs under control to protect the native birdlife and goannas along the track. The full conditions sit on the Seqwater site.

Water. There is no dog swimming here at all. The lake and its foreshore are closed to dogs, so treat this as a walk-only water body and plan around it. Carry your own water. Maddock Park has a wash-bay for horses, but there is no dedicated water station for dogs.

Hazards. The trail is shared with mountain bikers and horse riders, so a short lead helps you react when one comes through. After rain the track turns muddy and slippery in spots, boggiest near Mooloolah Road, so proper walking shoes are worth having.

Getting there. The main entry is Maddock Park, 221 Connection Road, Mooloolah Valley, with ample parking including space for horse floats. From Brisbane, take the Bruce Highway north to exit 163, then Steve Irwin Way and on to Mooloolah Valley Connection Road. From the Sunshine Coast, follow Steve Irwin Way to Mooloolah Valley Connection Road. A second entry sits at Gympie Street North, near Landsborough. Landsborough is the nearest train station, but it is not connected to the trailhead, so you will need a taxi or rideshare from there. Maddock Park itself has upgraded toilets, undercover picnic shelters, electric barbecues and a playground.

Nearby with the dogs. Landsborough is the natural stop afterwards, for a coffee at Didi's Coffee Haus or a meal at the Landsborough Pub. If your dog has earned a proper run off the lead, Pioneer Park Fenced Dog Park is close by, and Landsborough Holiday Park makes a handy base if you are staying overnight.

When to go. Weekday mornings and afternoons are usually quiet, while weekends get busy and Sunday mornings are busiest around the playground and main picnic areas. Tuesday or Thursday are the best days to miss both the mountain bikers and the crowds. The trail works year round, and spring brings red dragonflies along the lake-edge sections. Good for big runners who do not need a swim at the end.

Sources

• Dog leash area - Maddock Park, Seqwater · seqwater.com.au

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