Easy hikes and walks in Sergeant Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve

Ironbark Circuit loops through quieter sections of Karawatha Forest Park beneath tall ironbarks, gums, and native bushland typical of Brisbane’s sandstone forests. The track combines compact dirt trail and gentle rolling terrain, with birdsong and dense vegetation making it feel far removed from the surrounding suburbs. Sections of the circuit connect with nearby wetland and sandstone tracks deeper in the reserve.

Rocks Track winds through weathered sandstone outcrops, ridgelines, and native bushland in Karawatha Forest Park beneath gums and scattered grass trees. The trail combines dirt track, exposed rock, and short paved sections as it loops through one of Brisbane’s largest remaining bushland reserves.

Karawatha Forest Park protects one of the largest remaining areas of bushland within Brisbane, with more than 900 hectares of eucalypt forest, wetlands, sandstone ridges, and freshwater lagoons spread across the reserve. The park contains over 42 kilometres of walking tracks and supports significant wildlife including powerful owls, glossy black cockatoos, koalas, wallum froglets, and more than 120 bird species.

This lookout is reachable via a short side trail that leads off the main Wetlands Discovery Trail to a bench overlooking Blunder Creek. From this quiet spot, you can sit and look out over the creek as it winds through reeds and restored wetland vegetation. It’s a small but worthwhile detour that offers a more intimate view of the beautiful landscape shaped by ongoing ecological restoration, and a lovely spot for a break to watch for different species of birds in and around the water.

Wetlands Discovery Trail in Archerfield Wetlands Parkland is an easy multi-use path that loops through restored floodplain landscapes, including wetlands, open grasslands and patches of eucalypt forest along Oxley Creek. The trail is ideal for walking and cycling, with mostly flat, wide surfaces that make it suitable for all fitness levels, and it is a great route for a family outing. Along the way, you’re likely to spot a variety of birdlife, from Australian white ibis and ducks around the water to rainbow lorikeets in the trees and birds of prey like the whistling kite flying overhead.

Archerfield Wetlands Parkland spans 150 hectares in south-west Brisbane, and includes a mix of eucalypt forest, grasslands, wetlands, and creeks, and is home to over 170 species of birds. Once an industrial and wastewater site, it has been transformed into a beautiful public green space with trails, recreational areas, and facilities for environmental education. Here, you can follow the Wetlands Discovery Trail to walk or cycle along the floodplain and Oxley Creek, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching and enjoying nature.

Forest Lake is a large artificial lake at the centre of Lake Parklands, designed as both a stormwater system and a recreational feature. It is bordered by open grassed areas and playgrounds, with a designated swimming lagoon and sandy beach along one edge. The lake also supports birdlife and is a focal point for walking, picnicking, and community use.

This is a lovely, shared path encircling Forest Lake is a flat, well-maintained loop just under 3 kilometres, suitable for walking, running, and cycling. It closely follows the shoreline in sections, with regular access to picnic areas, playgrounds, and rest areas along the way. Wide and easy to navigate, it provides continuous views across the water and connects the surrounding parklands into a single, accessible circuit.