Red Hill To Newmarket

This scenic 6-7km family friendly return walk/ride from Woolcock Park cuts a green swathe through the inner west and north, taking in wooded glades, parklands, a little kids trail bike circuit, picnic spots, historic plaques and playgrounds on its way to the bushland of Banks St Reserve. Along the way are a few gentle slopes and a couple of quiet on-road streets for cyclists.

The walk commences at Woolcock Park on Hawthorn Tce and leads to Banks St Reserve in Newmarket. Car arrivals can park in the streets around Hawthorn Tce, which becomes a vehicular hot spot on weekends. Public transport takers will need to catch one of the buses en route along Waterworks Road and alight near the Red Hill Special School. From here a path on either side of the road heads down under Ithaca Bridge to the edge of Woolcock Park. 

Starting the walk/ride in the leafy hollow of Woolcock Park, follow the reflexology path across the little wooden bridge then around underneath the Ithaca Bridge, the original section of which was built in 1899 and first opened to traffic in 1900. After a short distance, there’s a dirt jump bike circuit for young aspiring Evel Knievels to hone their skills.

Just along a little further is a bench for resting and some display boards showcasing the history of the area. Ithaca Creek was once a place of recreation where, in the 1800's, locals picnicked and swam in the creek. The Enoggera Creek and Three Mile Scrub (as it was called then) was immortalised in a poem, which was published in the Moreton Bay Courier in 1851 and can be read on the signage, which also features black and white photographs from the past.

From here continue along the lush green strip until Glenrosa Rd then turn left and then right onto Todd St which loops around to the exclusive playground, barbecue and picnic spots fronting Tennis Avenue. A narrow bridge on the right crosses over into yet another verdant creek side reserve which leads to the next bridge over the creek. (Ignore the Davidson St offshoot).

Here you'll find shady green McCorbie Park and nearby is the chance to grab an Italian pastry and coffee or gelato at Gerbino's Italian Pascicceria and Bakery on Ashgrove Avenue, which runs parallel to parkside Corbie St.

3. Further along after the path passes under the Ashgrove Avenue bridge, take a sharp left immediately after the bridge underpass and swing up to Ashgrove Avenue and head towards Enoggera Rd. 

4. Continue along the creek with the backs of houses on either side until the path veers inwards and arrives at Quandong St. At the end of this street is the entrance to Banks St Reserve, which itself has walking and bike tracks and is well worth exploring.

Good to know - there is limited opportunity for sustenance along the way save for a couple of detours to cafes and Gerbino's Italian pasticceria (Local Red Hill cafe Steam Train Espresso, a block away on Arthur Tce is a good spot for a pre-or-post trail caffeine hit and delicious bite to eat).