New Farm Riverwalk

The New Farm Riverwalk is the boardwalk that carries the riverside path out over the Brisbane River between New Farm and Howard Smith Wharves, about 870 metres of it clear of the bank. The full catalogued route runs 5.3 km and it is flat the entire way, which makes it one of the easiest long walks in Brisbane to do with a dog on a lead.

The walk

AllTrails rates the 5.3 km route easy, around an hour. It starts near Riverview Court in New Farm, crosses the boardwalk under the Story Bridge and lands at Howard Smith Wharves, with the CBD skyline in front of you most of the way. The path is fully sealed and accessible for prams and wheelchairs.

Leash status

Brisbane City Council manages the walkway and dogs must be on a hand held lead the whole length. The path is formally split into lanes, roughly 3.5 metres for bikes and 2.5 metres for people, so keep your dog on the pedestrian side. New Farm Park at the eastern end has a designated off lead area under the big figs near the Powerhouse. That is where the lead comes off, not before.

Max: The boardwalk has almost no shade and the deck sits in full sun. Put the back of your hand on it before you commit to the crossing on a hot afternoon.

Water

Drinking fountains and bubblers with dog bowls sit along the route, and there are shaded rest shelters with seating. Toilets are at the New Farm Park end. Bins and bags are provided, though carrying your own is safer.

Getting there and parking

Around 200 free car spaces line the internal ring road at New Farm Park, with signed time limits, and there is paid parking at the Brisbane Powerhouse. The better move is the CityCat: both the New Farm Park and Sydney Street terminals put you straight onto the route.

While you're out there

Powerhouse Park to Newstead Gardens and Teneriffe to Howard Smith Wharves pick up either end. Kangaroo Point and Story Bridge Loop makes a longer circuit across the river, Waterfront Dog Park is the fenced run nearby, and Spicers Balfour Brisbane takes dogs in New Farm. More are listed on the QLD trails page and around New Farm.

When to go

Early morning or the hour before sunset. Midday at the weekend is the worst of it, with cyclists, runners and a narrow deck, and that combination is a lot for a nervous dog. Good for seniors otherwise: flat, sealed and shaded in patches.