Greater Wetland Walk

The Greater Wetland Walk is a 2.8 km concrete circuit through Berrinba Wetlands at Marsden, and the thing to know is that it runs through a declared nature refuge, so the lead stays on for all of it.

The walk. Flat, wide and fully sealed, about forty minutes at an easy pace, and it is the largest of several marked circuits in a park holding around 8.5 km of walkways and bike tracks in total. The shorter Wetland Outlook Circuit runs 900 metres and the Billabong Outlook Circuit about 600, so you can size the walk to the dog. Five substantial bridges carry the route across the water, the biggest an 80 metre span sitting 28 metres above the Scrubby Creek floodplain.

The rules. Logan City Council requires dogs to be under effective control at all times, which means verbal control inside a designated off leash park and a lead everywhere else. Berrinba Wetlands is not one of Logan's off leash parks, so a lead it is. The reason is on the map: part of the site is the Berrinba Wetlands Nature Refuge, a 39 hectare conservation area declared under Queensland legislation, and the wider park sets aside roughly 80 of its 120 hectares for protection and rehabilitation.

Water. The lagoons are habitat, not a swimming spot, so bring a bottle. Wheelchair accessible toilets are on site, along with six electric barbecues across three picnic shelters, and an interpretive centre with a viewing platform if the weather turns.

Hazards. The low lying sections stay wet after heavy rain and the softer paths turn boggy, so stick to the concrete circuits when the creek has been up.

Getting there. The park address is Wayne Goss Drive, and buses run along Browns Plains Road with a short walk in. It is a few minutes from central Marsden.

Nearby with the dogs. Brandon Park fenced dog park is the closest place to let them off properly, with Oakdale Park at Browns Plains and Underwood Park both a short drive. V's Viet Cafe at Marsden is the nearest coffee with outdoor seating.

When to go. Early morning or late afternoon, and weekdays if you can, because Saturday mornings are busy. The concrete gets hot underfoot in a Logan summer, so aim for the cooler ends of the day between November and March. Good for seniors and for dogs who do better on a flat, predictable surface.

Sources

• Berrinba Wetlands Park, Logan City Council · logan.qld.gov.au
• Dog off-leash parks, Logan City Council · logan.qld.gov.au
• Berrinba Wetlands walkways map, Logan City Council · logan.qld.gov.au
• Berrinba Wetlands Nature Refuge, Queensland Government · wetlandinfo.detsi.qld.gov.au

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