Maddock Park on Ewen Maddock Dam

Maddock Park sits on the northern shore of Ewen Maddock Dam in Mooloolah Valley, a Seqwater recreation area where dogs are genuinely catered for rather than grudgingly tolerated: a signposted dog on leash area with forest trails, picnic ground and views across the water to the Glass House Mountains. The trade off for a drinking water supply dam is strict leash rules and no swimming for the dog.

Leash status

Dogs stay on leash at all times, in the park and on every connecting trail, with a maximum of two dogs per person. They are not permitted in the lake, on the foreshore, on the designated swimming beach or near the boat ramps, because this is a drinking water catchment. Bring your own bags and use the bins provided. This is enforced signage territory, not a loose understanding, so keep the lead clipped from the car park onward.

The walk

The headline route is the Ewen Maddock Dam Main Track, about 9 kilometres one way from Maddock Park to the Gympie Street North entrance near Landsborough, or roughly 15 kilometres return if you retrace your steps. The surface mixes dirt track, boardwalk sections over the paperbark wetland and short undulating climbs through gum forest and pine plantation. The track is shared with mountain bikers and horse riders, and shorter loop options near the recreation area keep the outing to a few kilometres if that suits your dog better.

Water and hazards

The lower, forested sections turn to mud after rain, so expect muddy paws and skip the lowest tracks in wet weather. Bring drinking water for both of you; the dam water is off limits. Summer heat on the exposed sections builds quickly and the park gates close by early evening.

Max: two dog limit and leash only, no exceptions here since it's a drinking water catchment. Keep well back from the swimming beach and boat ramp even for a photo.

Getting there and parking

From Landsborough follow Mooloolah Connection Road; the Maddock Park entrance is well signposted and the large unsealed car park sits at the entrance. Public toilets, free electric BBQs, shaded picnic shelters and a playground stand near the trailhead. The park generally opens 5:30am to 6:30pm from September to April and 6am to 5:30pm from May to August, and the car park fills on weekends, so arrive early.

When to go

Early weekday mornings are the quietest and best for wildlife, with wallabies and birdlife along the forest edges. Weekends draw mountain bikers and picnic crowds from mid morning onward.

While you're out there

The Ewen Maddock Dam Main Track from the Gympie Street North entrance covers the other end of the same route, Pioneer Park Fenced Dog Park in Landsborough gives the dog an off leash session to balance the leashed bushwalk, and Jones Street Kitchen in Mooloolah Valley is a short drive for lunch. Landsborough Holiday Park is the nearest pet friendly stay if you want a weekend of it.

More routes are on the Queensland dog trails guide and the Mooloolah Valley destination page.