Elanora Park and the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk
One of Brisbane’s biggest dog parks, a mangrove boardwalk and beautiful views across Moreton Bay make Elanora Park a great place to explore with your dog.
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 — and it was a major factor in deciding to buy the house.
All these years later, it’s still a regular destination for the CLEAR dogs. Caroline particularly loves the boardwalk early in the morning, when the sun is coming up over the bay. When the tide is in and there’s a little wind, water laps beneath the boards and the mangroves close in around you. It can feel surprisingly wild for somewhere so close to suburbia.
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. 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 begins just to the right of the dog park.
Along the boardwalk
The boardwalk 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 through more mangroves, 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 at the northern end, but it isn’t long before you’re back among the trees.
There’s plenty to look at along the way. Signage explains the mangrove environment and the wildlife you may encounter, and the area is popular with birdwatchers. Kingfishers are regular visitors and, some years ago, an excited birdwatcher pointed out a nightjar to Caroline — apparently a rather special sighting.
Look down as well as up. At low tide, the mudflats and tangled mangrove roots are exposed; when the tide is in, there’s plenty of marine life to watch below.
When the tide comes in
Part of the gravel return path is designed to cope with periodic inundation and, during king tides, water can come 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.
As always around tidal water, use common sense and judge the conditions on the day.
Add the bird hide
If you feel like walking a little further, include the Wynnum Wetlands Birdhide. It looks out across the saltmarsh and wetlands and is worth the detour even if you aren’t a dedicated birdwatcher.
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, with 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, 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, so bear that in mind if your dog needs space from other dogs. There are a couple of wider viewing areas where you can step aside 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. 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 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.
