Ford Road Conservation Area

Signposted as the Ford Road Conservation Area, this 134-hectare stretch of bush off Avalon Road in Sheldon gives you proper dirt tracks without leaving the Redlands. Dogs are welcome, but they stay on a lead the whole way.

The walk

The tracks are natural dirt, a mix of narrow bush trails and wide fire trails, including a gravel vehicle track along the powerline easement. Expect to share them with mountain bikers and horse riders.

The scenery is regrowth eucalypt forest and thick creekside vegetation along Buhot Creek. The reserve joins the wider Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area, and walkers regularly spot wallabies, goannas and koalas.

Leads and wildlife

Redland City Council manages the reserve, and the rule is simple: dogs on a lead at all times. With koalas in the trees and bikes on the trails, it is the rule you would want anyway.

Getting started

Parking is next door at the Don and Christine Burnett Conservation Area on Avalon Road. The trailhead shelter has a horse and dog water trough plus tank water.

There are no public toilets, and bins can be scarce in the conservation area, so carry your bags out.

Max: Bikes and horses use these trails too. Keep the lead short on the single track and step aside early when you hear someone coming.

When to go

Weekdays are quietest, which suits dogs that prefer a calm walk. The canopy gives plenty of shade, so it works on warmer mornings too.

For an off-lead run afterwards, Gundagai Drive Park Fenced Dog Park in Capalaba is a fenced option.