BEDWELL STREET, CRANLEY
The Cranley Escarpment is a large, 45 hectare bushland reserve, located on the north-western outskirts of Toowoomba City. This network of wide, hilly trails follows a borderline of semi-rural properties before cutting deeper into the gully, where the eucalypt forest is home to wallabies and teeming with birdlife.
About The Name... The suburb of Cranley, from which the Cranley Escarpment takes its name, was originally named after Cranley's Gate, a farming property of 110 acres close to Gowrie Creek. The property was owned by Mr James Cranley, a landholder and farmer of Irish descent, who served as a Toowoomba councillor from 1864 to 1866.
BUSHWALKING GUIDE
Grade |  Moderate |
Distance | 3km+ |
Trail Type | combined - multiple loops |
Walking Time | up to 2h 30min |
Amenities/Suitable For:
Parking:
The northern, Bedwell Street entrance has a small parking area at the end of the quiet suburban cul-de-sac. This is located on the lower side of the reserve, so park here if you want to avoid walking up the steepest hill in the reserve.
The southern, Reserve Road entrance is located on a bitumen service road, near the construction site of a new housing estate. The pathway down the escarpment is very steep, and the loosely-compacted surface can be slippery, so sturdy footwear is essential. Of course, the views are 100% worth the effort!
The Walk: Cranley's 'Best Bits' Circuit
This park is completely unsigned. For a first-time walker, I recommend starting from the Bedwell entrance and completing a combination of the northern loop + main loop. (This is the clearest path to follow, and it also gives you a nice variety of terrain/scenery.) Approx. 1 hour total walking time.
Starting from the grassy field at the Bedwell St entrance, head north/left towards the tree-line until you see the start of the trail. The path dips downwards briefly as it passes a small, fenced dam (watch your step as this area can be muddy).
Follow the fence-line of a private farming property as the trail turns east and heads uphill. With paddocks on your left and bushland on your right, continue up the moderately-steep slope until it kicks up sharply at the crest then plunges downhill again into the bush.
At the bottom of the gully you will reach an unsigned intersection. Ignore the right fork, which will lead you straight back towards the Bedwell St entrance. Take the left fork, which leads you around the main walking loop. This is hilly in sections, and the surface of the trail is often uneven. The bushland here is much thicker and follows a creek system that attracts pretty-faced wallabies and abundant birdlife. About halfway around the loop, the track comes within sight of a few private properties, where you might spot a horse or two. The track crosses the (probably dry) creek a few times before heading south-east along the base of the escarpment, with eucalypt bushland on your right, and a forest of prickly pear trees overlooking you from the ridge on your left.
One more short kick upwards brings you to the next unmarked intersection. For the fastest route back to your car from the main circuit, turn right and follow the wide, grassy path down the hill. When you reach the field at the bottom, a water catchment area, you should be in sight of the Bedwell St entrance.
Note: If you have the time/energy, turn left at the intersection in Step 4 and follow the very steep track up to the Reserve Road entrance for beautiful views out over the reserve, including Gowrie Mountain to the north-west. Alternately, you can walk straight ahead if you prefer to return to your vehicle via the flattest path, following the western boundary of the reserve along a fence-line of semi-rural properties. (If you get to a rocky construction area you've gone too far. Turn back and look again for the fence.)
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