Where the boardwalk leads
CLEAR Dog Training uses modern positive reinforcement methods combined with calm, practical household management. The philosophy remains simple: reward the behaviours you want so they increase, while calmly managing and blocking the behaviours you don’t want so they gradually decrease. That combination of positive reinforcement and sensible management helps owners build calmer, happier relationships with dogs that are easier and more enjoyable to live with.
Caroline finds helping owners through day-to-day challenges incredibly rewarding, particularly seeing the moment when training starts becoming fun rather than frustrating. As owners gain confidence and consistency, dogs naturally begin looking to them more and more for guidance, interaction and enjoyment.
Caroline is known for a training style that is both empathetic and direct. She enjoys helping owners understand not just what to do, but why they are doing it. She also understands that learning new skills can sometimes feel overwhelming. In fact, she jokes that ballroom dancing was never her natural talent, so she remembers very well how difficult learning and coordination can sometimes feel when you are outside your comfort zone.
That is one reason CLEAR places such a strong emphasis on making training enjoyable, achievable and rewarding for both dogs and owners. Where appropriate, training games are also designed to involve children and help the entire family become part of the dog’s learning journey. At CLEAR, the goal is simple: the best results happen when owners become fun, kind and calm leaders their dogs naturally want to follow. Caroline also holds a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training through the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF) and continues to regularly attend seminars and courses with leading trainers and behaviour specialists from around the world. The goal is to continually refine and improve CLEAR’s training methods using modern, reward-based techniques that work in real-life situations.
Elanora Park and the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk
Elanora Park has long been among CLEAR owner Caroline Strainig’s favourite places to walk her dogs. In fact, it’s one of the reasons she ended up living in Wynnum in the first place.
When Caroline was house-hunting after moving to Brisbane, she looked at a house in Wynnum North, just off Petersen Street. Partway along the street, she spotted a pathway and followed it down the hill.
At the bottom was Elanora Park: acres of green space, walking tracks, the waterfront and an enormous dog park. For someone whose life revolved around dogs, it seemed like doggy heaven. It was a major factor in deciding to buy the house.
All these years later, it’s still one of her favourite places — and a regular destination for all the CLEAR dogs.
Caroline particularly loves the boardwalk early in the morning. Stop at one of the lookouts across the bay as the sun is coming up over the water and it really is magic.
Better still is when the tide is in and there’s a little wind. Water laps beneath the boards, the mangroves close in around you and, for a moment, it can feel as though you’ve wandered back into some ancient, almost Jurassic landscape.
There’s something about this walk that really is balm for the soul.
Getting there
The main vehicle entrance to Elanora Park is from Granada Street, with other pedestrian access points around the park. You can find full directions on Google Maps.
Follow the internal park road towards the dog park. Near the dog park there is a map showing the boardwalk circuit and the longer option incorporating the Wynnum Wetlands Birdhide. The boardwalk itself begins just to the right of the dog park.
Along the boardwalk
The boardwalk itself is about 800 metres long, winding through the mangroves before emerging onto a gravel path at the northern end.
From there, the walk loops back along a gravel path through more mangroves. This is the section that can be flooded during king tides. The path then continues back through the trees, past the other end of the dog park and around to where you started.
The full circuit is easy and mostly flat.
One of its big advantages, particularly in Brisbane, is the shade. The mangroves form a canopy over virtually the entire boardwalk, so even on a hot day it can feel noticeably cooler than a more exposed walk along the Manly waterfront.
There is a short unshaded section when you leave the northern end of the boardwalk and join the gravel path, but it isn’t long before you’re back among the trees. So if an early-morning walk isn’t possible and you’re looking for somewhere a little cooler to take the dog, this is a good option.
There’s always something to look at, too.
Excellent signage along the boardwalk explains the mangrove environment and the wildlife you may encounter, so it’s worth stopping to read rather than simply marching past.
The area is particularly popular with birdwatchers. Kingfishers are among the regular sightings and, some years ago, an excited birdwatcher pointed out a nightjar to Caroline — apparently a rather special visitor.
Look down as well as up. At low tide, the mudflats and tangled mangrove roots are exposed; when the water is in, there’s plenty of marine life to watch below.
When the tide comes in
Then there are the king tides.
Part of the gravel return path is designed to cope with periodic inundation and, when the tide is high enough, water comes right across it.
This is possibly Caroline’s favourite version of the walk. When conditions are suitable and the water is shallow, you can splash your way through — something her dogs absolutely adore.
Summer, particularly around Christmas, can bring some impressive king tides, so if you happen to time your walk with one, you may get the full experience.
As always around tidal water, use common sense and judge the conditions on the day.
Add the bird hide
If you feel like wandering a little further, include the Wynnum Wetlands Birdhide.
The hide looks out across the saltmarsh and wetlands and is worth the detour even if you aren’t a dedicated birdwatcher. Sit quietly for a few minutes and see what turns up.
Allow roughly 2–2.5 km if you combine the boardwalk and bird hide, depending on exactly where you start and finish.
The mix of mangroves, mudflats, saltmarsh, grassland and bush makes this a surprisingly wild-feeling little pocket of Brisbane.
And then there’s the dog park
Elanora Park would have to be one of the largest dog parks in Brisbane.
There’s a huge open off-leash area, plus a separate small-dog section that has recently been extensively revamped and extended.
If your dog is social and enjoys dog parks, it makes Elanora Park an even better destination. As always, exercise a little care: have a look at who is already inside and make sure the situation looks right for your dog before going in.
And if dog parks aren’t your dog’s thing, just keep walking. There’s plenty more to enjoy.
The boardwalk itself is only a couple of metres wide in places, which is worth bearing in mind if your dog needs space from other dogs. There are a couple of wider viewing areas along the way where you can step off the main path and let another dog pass.
Coffee afterwards
Toasty Grinds Mobile Coffee Van is a familiar sight at Elanora Park on Tuesday to Saturday mornings, generally from around 6.30 am until 11 am and a little later on Saturday.
A sunrise walk through the mangroves followed by coffee while the dog has a rest is a pretty good way to start the day.
A couple of things worth knowing
There is only one public toilet, near the main Granada Street entrance to Elanora Park. Once you’re down at the boardwalk end, it’s a fair hike back — so plan ahead. Otherwise, it’s a case of hang on and hold it, or find a discreet bush.
A word of caution if nature does call: eastern brown snakes are occasionally seen in the park. Keep an eye on where you and your dog are walking and exercise the usual care around bushland, long grass and undergrowth.
And if you really do have to venture behind a bush, check carefully what’s on the other side before you do. Preferably no snake — and no audience.
This is mangrove and wetland country, so insect repellent is useful, and take water for your dog in warmer weather.
But those are minor considerations in a place that offers so much.
On an early morning when the sun is rising over the bay, the tide is lapping beneath the boardwalk and the mangroves are stirring in the breeze, it really is magic.
And with a dog beside you, so much the better.