Dohles Rocks is located on the north bank of the
Pine River in the little town of Griffin; about 45 minutes drive north from Brisbane city. Follow the Gympie Arterial Road/ Bruce Highway until you reach the Murrumba Downs exit. Take this exit, turn right at the intersection and you'll be on your way to Griffin and the picturesque Dohles Rocks.
Dohles Rocks is a great place for the whole family. There are barbeque facilities, a playground and the river view. There are boat ramps for those who fish, wheelchair access, parking, a toilet block, picnic areas, drinking water, a bike pathway and the
Osprey House Environmental Centre is just up the road. The 'sea-breeze' from the Pine River is lovely and, walking, sitting or standing, gently buffets you like a sea-breeze should.
Dohles Rocks @ Griffin
The barbeque and play equipment available at Dohles Rocks isn't on par with the
Pine Rivers Park or
John Oxley Reserve, mammoth parks also in the
Moreton Bay Region, but Dohles Rocks presents decent-sized family areas with a children's playground, council-provided barbeque facilities and plenty of seating. It wouldn't be the place to go for a big family reunion, but it is a nice place for an afternoon play with the kids.
The playground at Dohles Rocks is mainly for the littlies. It's an unfenced playground on the far left side of the area, near the seating and barbeque facilities, situated within a sandpit. The playground features swings, slides, climbing frames and forts. As the playground is not under cover children will need to wear a hat and sunscreen at all times. The older children can bring books to read in the peaceful setting (if they're keen readers), play on the shore or even go fishing.
The barbeque and seating facilities available at Dohles Rocks, although not extensive, will suffice for your own little family. Bring the steak and sausages, salad and buns and make your own hamburgers for your own modest family barbeque. If you'd rather not bring food to cook, or are just planning a romantic day for two, pack yourselves a picnic basket (with pre-cooked meals of course), blankets, relax and enjoy the view.
Playground @ Dohles Rocks
One of the BBQ facilities
Dohles Rocks is an important habitat for shorebirds – birds that live primarily between the land and the sea. During summer, the number of shorebirds in the Moreton Bay area can swell to 50,000. Many of these birds travel between 25,000-60,000 kilometres per year to reach their breeding grounds and their time on the foreshore of the Moreton Bay area is known as their time to regain essential nutrients and weight that they have lost whilst travelling these long distances.
At Dohles Rocks, signs have been erected to drive home the importance of not disturbing the birds that can be seen along the foreshore for their health and comfort. The signs show what kinds of birds migrate to the area and express the penalties for disturbing these birds, whether on purpose or through neglect. The disturbance of shorebirds or their habitat can attract an on-the-spot fine.
Signage @ Dohles Rocks
Take some time out of your busy schedule to visit Dohles Rocks, Griffin. Look out over the Pine River, take a walk across the shore, have a barbeque or take your boat out - you'll love the atmosphere.
