The Redlands is a bush walker's paradise
A variety of fabulous trails to suit everyone
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for healthy exercise or just a gentle stroll through natural bushland – The Redlands has a variety of fabulous trails that will suit you.
That’s the magic of bushwalking in The Redlands. It’s not just about exercise; it’s about connecting with nature, discovering hidden beauty spots, and enjoying nature at its best.
There are numerous places to walk and hike, so we have listed some of the most popular and diverse conservation bushwalking opportunities.


Venman Bushland National Park - Mt Cotton
Escape from the bustle of everyday life
Venman Bushland National Park located in Mount Cotton, offers a welcome escape from the bustle of everyday life. The 415-hectare park is a haven for nature lovers, attracting bushwalkers with its diverse landscapes and tranquil surroundings. There are picnic tables and toilets available.
How to get there: From the Pacific Motorway, take exit 30 and turn onto Beenleigh–Redland Bay Road, then left onto California Creek Road and left onto West Mount Cotton Road. The main entrance to the park is signposted.
The AllTrails website has a list of all of the trails in this park, with reviews from other hikers.
The park’s two main trails are the Tingalpa Creek Circuit and the Venman Circuit. In addition to these two main trails, there are also a number of shorter tracks that branch off from the main circuit. These tracks are a great way to explore different parts of the park and find some hidden gems


Don and Christine Burnett Conservation Area: Sheldon
Passionate advocates for The Redland Coast's environment
This 4.17ha bushland Conservation Area is a reserve in The Redlands named after local couple Don and Christine Burnett, who were passionate advocates for the Redland Coast’s environment. Their dedication is reflected in the area’s protected bushland and the diverse wildlife it supports.
How to get there: The Don and Christine Burnett Conservation Area is located in Sheldon, south of Avalon Road and Ford Road. You can enter the park from the access point along Avalon Road, where there’s a bitumen car park with space for about 20 cars. Look for the trailhead shelter with a map, seat, water tank, and amenities for horses and bikes. There are currently no toilets in the park, so plan accordingly. Park hours are from 4am to 10pm daily.
The AllTrails website has a list of the trails in the conservation park, with reviews from other hikers.


Bayview Conservation Area: Redland Bay
A diverse range of tracks to suit any pace and fitness
Many consider The Redland Coast’s hidden gem for bushwalkers is Bayview Conservation Area. It offers a diverse range of tracks to suit any pace and fitness level including easy walking tracks which are perfect for introducing kids to the wonders of the bush.
How to get there: There are two main ways to reach Bayview Conservation Area
Main Entry and Day Use Area: 487-503 German Church Road, Redland Bay. This is the most popular access point and offers the closest parking to the main facilities like picnic tables, toilets, and BBQs.
Days Road, Redland Bay Entry: If you’re arriving in a larger group or with a trailer, this entry point might be a better option due to the wider parking area.
The Bayview Conservation Area is open from sunrise to sunset, but the main German Church Road entry with the day use facilities has slightly stricter hours (generally 6am to dusk).
The AllTrails website lists some of the best trails in Bayview Conservation Area
Bayview caters for easy family friendly bushwalks, and for those looking for a bit more of a challenge there is a selection of moderate tracks that take you deeper into the heart of the conservation area. These tracks might involve some inclines and uneven terrain, but the rewards are well worth it.
Beyond these suggestions, there are numerous other tracks to explore in Bayview, catering to a range of interests. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, consider tackling some of the longer fire access trails that wind through the conservation area. These wider tracks, like Days Road Main Trail, are also popular with mountain bikers and horse riders, so be sure to be mindful of other users.
No matter your experience level, Bayview Conservation Area offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Redland Coast.


Redlands Track Park - Scribbly Gums Conservation Park - Cleveland
A network of multi-use trails in The Redlands
If you’re in Cleveland, this is your backyard bushwalking haven. Redland Track Park (also known as Scribbly Gums Conservation Park) is a network of multi-use trails, so you can choose between a leisurely stroll or a more energetic hike. This park has a whopping 25 km of trails, winding through stunning natural bushland, perfect for a day trip or a relaxing stroll.
All the trails are colour coded to show difficulty levels. “easy” trails are marked with a Green bollard, and the more “difficult” or challenging trails are marked with a Blue bollard. So, as you ride through the park you can pick your trails depending on the level you feel comfortable with.
It’s quite easy to get a little lost whilst in the park so it is a good idea to download the map app here so that you don’t walk for longer than you intended!
How to get there:
The beauty of Scribbly Gums Conservation Area, also known as Redlands Track Park, is that it has multiple entry points, making it convenient to access from different areas of The Redlands.
From Cleveland: Go to Clarke Street car park, located opposite the Cleveland Cemetery. This entry point allows you to access the park through the Clarke Street Reserve Tracks and then connect to the main trails via the Flinders Street Pathway.
From Alexandra Hills: Park at the corner of McDonald Road and Flinders Street. There’s a car park and shelter right there, offering easy access to the park’s trails directly from Flinders Street.
From Thornlands: Head to Brindabella Circuit Park on Teesdale Road. You’ll find the park entrance next to the playground, across the dam wall. Parking is available on Brindabella Circuit (via Kinross Road) next to Brindabella Park. This entry lets you jump right onto the trails from the other side of the park.
Congreve Crescent, Thornlands: There’s a new car park on Congreve Crescent where you can park your car and enter the trails from the path next to the new trail hut.


Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area - Mt Cotton
A bushwalker's challenge with a view
The Eastern Escarpment Conservation Area is where you’ll find some of The Redland’s most exciting (and leg-burning) bushwalking trails. This area covers around 186 hectares and offers 29 kms of bushwalking trails that cater to experienced walkers looking for a challenge.
Steeper Terrain and Elevation Gain: Unlike some of the other conservation areas in the Redlands, the Eastern Escarpment throws some steeper climbs and more rugged terrain your way. This means you’ll get a good workout and be rewarded with those epic panoramic views we mentioned earlier.
Variety of Trails: While the overall difficulty leans towards moderate to challenging, there’s still some variation within the trail network. You can choose from shorter loops or longer treks, depending on your fitness level and how much time you have.
Panoramic Vistas: The sweat and effort put into conquering these climbs is totally worth it. From the summit, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views that stretch all the way out to Moreton Island.
Diverse Bushland: As you navigate the trails, you’ll pass through a variety of bushland environments, from eucalyptus forests to pockets of rainforest.
How to Get There: The main trailhead for the Eastern Escarpment is located on West Mount Cotton Road. Head east on West Mount Cotton Road until you see the signage for the park entrance at the intersection with Schoek Road (approximately 950 metres from the Mount Cotton Road/West Mount Cotton Road junction).
And the reliable AllTrails website provides a list of these challenging trails.