Welcome to Bushwalking in Brisbane Forest Park


This blog is devoted to the different walks I have completed in Brisbane Forest Park. Here I will share my photos and personal experiences, explaining the many different walks within the Park and some of the interesting features of each walk. Brisbane Forest Park is now known as the region of South D'Aguilar National Park, but for the purpose of this blog and my own connection and history with the Park, I still refer to it as Brisbane Forest Park.

Brisbane Forest Park lies northwest of Brisbane, at most an hour's drive from the CBD. The entire Park encompasses approximately 36,000 hectares of natural land and forest consisting of national park, recreational areas and tourist spots that attract day trippers, motorcyclists and those wishing to experience the magic of a rainforest retreat or just enjoy a getaway in the mountains.

The Park is full of interesting features such as creeks, rocky outcrops, mountains, waterfalls, plants, birds and other wildlife which makes it such a diverse and natural place to visit and enjoy.

The walks I will share in this Blog range from easy to quite challenging, but above all are fun to do. Please feel free to send me any of your comments.

Hope you like these as much as I did.

Happy walking :)

Wayne

Please note: The walks described within should be used as a guide only and carrying a topographic map, compass, water, food and a first aid kit is highly recommended when bushwalking. Only undertake walks within your own limits and fitness levels. Please be responsible by notifying a friend or family member before beginning any walk.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Gold Creek Dam via Payne Road


This walk begins overlooking Enoggera Dam, off the Payne Road/Gap Creek Road roundabout at the Gap. It is about a 5 hour leisurely walk and access is via South Boundary Road, an unsealed management road which runs along a southerly ridge all the way to Mount Nebo. Being situated adjacent to a residential area, South Boundary Road is very popular with cyclists, runners, bushwalkers and those even riding on horseback. The road is mostly flat but has some hilly sections to negotiate along the way, however only moderate fitness is required. To access the Dam, simply walk along South Boundary Road for about 2 hours, then take the left turn off South Boundary Road immediately after reaching the overhead electricity pylons. It is then about a half hour walk down to the Dam.


The Dam has an unusual spillway which was damaged during floods in early 1890. It was replaced by an un-reinforced concrete stepped spillway, the first of its type in the world. Most of the 1890 concrete stepped spillway cascade is still in use.


The Dam is a great place to explore, with a number of footworn tracks to the right of and above the spillway. There are grassy areas below the Dam to sit and relax and just take it all in. Gold Creek Dam is very peaceful and scenic place to visit and enjoy and if travelling by car, vehicle access to the Dam is via Gold Creek Road from Brookfield.


It is also possible to walk all the way to Mount Nebo Road, or even undertake an overnight walk, camping at South Boundary Road at the corner of Scrub Road, then returning the following day. South Boundary Road is one of the main management roads in the Park and is an excellent access route for other bushwalking pursuits in D'Aguilar National Park.

For more information please go to the relevant postings on this site.