Day 119: By the Brook

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Kedron Brook bikeway

THE Kedron Brook bikeway is a great little adventure to have at home, with a clear path to follow along the waterway, delightful parks and serene scenery.

Kedron Brook bikeway
Idyllic water scenes

A few years ago, I went to London bought a bike and cycled the Thames from its source to the Barrier, a 360km (including all the wrong turns) journey of green meadows, quaint bridges, fairytale paths and the streets of London.

OK, so the 10km of the Kedron Brook isn’t quite on the same scale, but it was nevertheless a great ride in perfect Queensland weather to discover some pretty parts of suburban Brisbane.

Bikes are allowed on trains outside of peak hour, so I set off from Central to Mitchelton Station.

Kedron Brook bikeway
Parks for a rest along the way.

Signs outside the station indicate the direction to the bikeway, which starts about 200m away heading past Brookside shopping centre before ducking closer to the brook and away from traffic and built-up areas.

From there it’s easy riding – no big hills – along sealed paths which, apart from a couple of areas using back roads, lead all the way to Kalinga Park at Nundah.

Kedron Brook bikeway
Enjoy the scenery

From there, it’s about another 300m along quiet suburban streets to the Toombul station.

Alternatively, you can head on towards Nudgee and ultimately the Boondall Wetlands.

Along the way, there are parks with water fountains and shelters, tree-lined avenues and bridges over the brook.

There are also a few surprises when the path emerges into open areas or goes under bridges that at first seem unfamiliar before realising it’s only a new angle of a well-travelled route.

Kedron Brook bikeway
A safe route for cyclists

For example the big intersection of Stafford Rd and Lutwyche Rd at Kedron takes a moment to recognise when emerging from the bikeway.

It’s a great way to see familiar places from a new angle.

Kedron Brook bikeway
A few bridges to cross

Kedron Brook is one of the largest catchment areas in Brisbane and there is water flowing in most places, some of them big enough to provide a swimming hole for the locals.

It’s safe and easy, well away from traffic, pretty, interesting and well worth the effort.

And once again it proves that there’s a lot worth to discover right here at home.

To learn more about the Kedron Brook catchment, the e-book read Kedron Brook Catchment the story so far by Anne Jones and Robert Whyte. It covers habitat; bird, frog, and reptile field guides; history; and guidance on catchment management.

“Our urban creeks make Brisbane a very special place providing habitat for wildlife, keeping Moreton Bay healthy and are magic places to relax on a sunny afternoon,” they say.

Kedron Brook bikeway

Bikes are no problem on trains outside of peak hour

Kedron Brook bikeway
A resident floats by