Rafting Ground Reserve

Rafting Ground Reserve is a lush sprawling oasis of green with a creek winding through it on the edge of Brookfield and Kenmore.

The scenic reserve takes its name and its history back to when it was used by early settlers in the 1860s and 70s as a launching pad for timber that had been felled from the Sir Herbert Taylor Ranges forests and was transported to the site by bullock wagon.

From here the timber was floated downstream from here to the saw mills including Patterson’s Saw Mill in Toowong. By the 1880s, with an explosive population growth in the nearby inner west suburbs of Paddington, Bardon and Toowong the government declared it a recreation reserve for use by the people, which it has been since.

Today, as well as being one of Brisbane’s most picturesque nature reserves, just perfect for a leisurely stroll, it also makes a fantastic and unique old-fashioned adventure land for children. From the Moggill road entrance there’s a car park, amenities block, picnic shelters, BBQs and a great playground for young ones, with tunnels, ‘shops’, forts, climbing nets, slide and swings.

From here, there are literally acres of well-kept mowed grass dotted with groves of trees, from spindly gums to young figs, fir trees and, across the bridge, in an adjoining section, a glorious cluster of golden bamboo, all of it just made for a mega game of hide’n’seek.

And in keeping with the Rafting Ground Reserve history, there’s a smattering of log picnic tables and seats throughout. Need to know – There’s also a narrow path entrance off Rowena St (opposite the intersection of Melinda St).