Before we all had to go into isolation, I had had grand plans of getting my family into walking as soon as the weather got a little milder. Now, my husband and I aren't the fittest, and my children (like most) lack endurance, so I wanted to start with some small walks that were interesting to build our walking muscle. Isolation gave me the time to research some different walks around Brisbane and restrictions have meant we can't go too far afield. Isolation has been turning into a great opportunity to experience parts of Brisbane that I have never seen in 40 years and exposed how, as a local, you can take so much for granted around you, expecting everything to be out of your locality.
Signage at the start of the Captain Doug Hislop Park (it has been renamed recently)
This walk is one that surprised me -
Captain Doug Hislop Park, Murarrie. If you have lived in Brisbane all of your life, Murarrie doesn't conger up an image of a grand walk. You might remember the foul smell as you crossed the Gateway Bridge many years ago and as you look down from the bridge, all you can see in light industrial…..but, it is just under the bridge that this secret gem is revealed. As a local it is hard to break the habit of calling the bridge, 'The Gateway' but the two bridges are now known as the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges.
View from under the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges
This park joins up with the Queensport Rocks Park directly under the bridges and between the 2 parks and the adjoining walkway/bike path, you can get a decent 3.5 km walk with a small incline under the bridges. Lots of points of interest along the walk such as the seating, memorials and historical plaques about the area. You can even walk out over the water into a newly built pontoon called the
Murarrie Recreation Hub.
Positives
1. Easy to find a park in Metroplex Avenue and there is a gravel car park at the end of Metroplex Avenue. There is also plenty of parking at the other end of the path, either in Queensport Road or just under the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges via Administration Road off Lytton Road.
2. The kids were kept busy reading the memorial and historical plaques.
3. The path was wide and great for walking and cycling on.
Captain Doug Hislop Park has picnic tables, shelter and BBQs
right next door to the
Brew Dog Craft Beer and Restaurant, so after your walk you could pop in.
4. Great river views
Negatives
1. No toilets. This is a real let down to such a great location if you wanted to stay and enjoy the facilities such as the BBQs and pontoon for fishing. So make sure the kids have used the loo before you go!
Captain Doug Hislop Park/Murarrie Recreation Hub
Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives. We will be back to walk this one again!
If you are interested in seeing video footage go to my Walking with Kids link:
https://youtu.be/ruOZG9G8l2k
