Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area (Billiau Rd Trailhead)

The Billiau Rd car park is the trailhead for the Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area, a steep fire trail climb to the Mount Cotton lookout with views over Moreton Bay and towards North Stradbroke Island. It stays quieter than most local walks because the gradient filters out casual visitors, which suits owners after a genuine workout rather than a flat stroll.

The walk

It is a there-and-back route of roughly 1.7km return, on a wide gravel fire trail that pitches sharply in sections, with grades that can hit 30 per cent. The track runs through open eucalypt forest and is exposed for most of the climb, and the summit lookout rewards you with bay views and a place to catch your breath.

Expect to share the trail with mountain bikers on the descents, so keep your dog on the uphill side and audible before corners.

Leash status

Dogs are permitted but must stay on lead the whole way. This is a conservation area with koala and native wildlife habitat, not an off-leash park, and the trail runs close to surrounding private land, so stick to the marked path.

Water and hazards

There is no water on the trail at all and no facilities at the trailhead, so carry enough for both of you, and more in warm weather. The exposed gravel gets hot and slippery after rain, and there are no bins, so pack your rubbish back out.

Max: there are no council bins here, so pack your own bags in and take your rubbish back out with you.

Getting there and parking

The car park sits on West Mount Cotton Road near the Billiau Road corner, about ten minutes' drive from Victoria Point or Redland Bay. It is gravel and small, and can fill on weekends, so arrive early. Public transport does not reach this far, so driving is the only realistic option.

When to go

Early morning or late afternoon beats the exposed midday heat, and cooler months make the climb far kinder. Even on busy Sunday mornings it rarely feels crowded. Afterwards, the Mount Cotton Community Park fenced dog park gives your dog an off-lead cool-down closer to the village, and Mt Cotton Retreat is a pet-friendly base if you are staying over.

More routes are on the Queensland trails guide and the Mount Cotton destination page.