Moreton Bay Cycleway: Wynnum to Manly

The Moreton Bay Cycleway runs the length of the Wynnum and Manly foreshore on Brisbane's bayside, a flat sealed path with the water on one side and parkland on the other. AllTrails logs the Wynnum to Manly stretch at 14.8 km, but it is a linear path with car parks every kilometre or so, so most dogs walk a slice of it rather than the lot.

The walk. Sealed, level and wide the whole way, graded easy, roughly three hours if you do the full 14.8 km. It runs point to point rather than as a loop. The landmarks in order are Pandanus Beach, the Wynnum Wading Pool, George Clayton Park and the Manly Boat Harbour at the southern end. Shade comes in clumps of fig and pandanus rather than a continuous canopy.

The rules. Brisbane City Council manages the path and dogs must be on lead on it at all times, unless you are standing inside a signed off-leash area. The cycleway is shared with commuters on bikes and scooters moving at speed, so a short lead does more for you here than a long one. Dogs stay out of the playgrounds and the wading pool.

Water. Bubblers and dog bowls are spaced along the Esplanade and there are taps at the main park nodes. Carry your own for the middle sections anyway, because the gaps between them are longer than they look on a map.

Getting there. Free parking at Elanora Park, near the Wynnum Wading Pool and around Manly Harbour, all of which fill early on weekend mornings. Wynnum Central and Manly stations are both a short walk inland if you would rather walk one way and take the train back.

Nearby with the dogs. The fenced Elanora Park Fenced Dog Park sits at the northern end, so you can finish with a proper run. Stannard Road Park is the backup a few minutes inland. For coffee, Frenchies Cafe at the Wynnum end and First Coffee Co at Manly both seat dogs outside.

When to go. Early morning or the last two hours of light, especially between November and March when the sealed path holds heat well into the evening. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Good for big runners who want distance without a hill in sight.

Sources

• Owning a dog in Brisbane - Brisbane City Council · www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
• A guide to Brisbane's best bike rides - Brisbane City Council · www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
• Moreton Bay Cycleway: Wynnum to Manly - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com
• Wynnum To Manly Walk Or Cycle - 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.