WARREGO HIGHWAY, REDWOOD
Toowoomba's best-kept secret, Redwood Park is the sweeping ridge of forest opposite Picnic Point that greets travelers as they wind up the Range Crossing to Toowoomba. At 234 hectares, Redwood Park is one of our region's biggest bushland parks, with a rich blend of ecosystems including koala-attracting eucalypt woodlands, vine-curtained dry rainforest, fern-encrusted gullies, sandstone rock features and a healthy creek system. Redwood offers a great variety of walking trails, including the family-friendly Rainforest Circuit, a network of more challenging tracks for bushwalkers/trail-runners and a dedicated bridle trail along the top of the park for bikes/horses. A park for nature lovers and explorers, Redwood has plenty of secluded spots for birdwatching, at least two geocaches to track down, a hidden waterfall, an archaeological dig site, a fascinating geological history to study and even more secrets yet to be found.
About The Name... Ironically, there are no redwood trees in Redwood Park. The reserve was named for Vernon Redwood, who was the mayor of Toowoomba in 1910. Likewise, there are no tree-ferns growing along the trail marked 'Ferntree Gully'. Volunteers who work in the park refer to this track as Ferny Gully, and there are plans to update signage to match this name. The picnic area is named in honour of Edwin Bernays, a local solicitor and honorary ranger, whose advocacy led to the creation of a native bird and animal sanctuary in Redwood Park in the 1940's. Sections of the 'zoo fence' are still visible from the walking trails today. The Eagle's Nest Trail commemorates the Eagles Nest Swagman's Rest Camp, which provided safe housing, employment and independence for itinerant workers displaced from their jobs and cities by the Great Depression of the 1930's. Physical remains of the camp's dwellings led this area to become Heritage Listed in 2021, and the site is the subject of ongoing archaeological studies. Galloping Flats is the name passed down by oral tradition to describe the grassy plain near the Prince Henry Drive trailhead. This may be a reference to the period when sections of Redwood Park were used for grazing livestock, including cattle and horses.
BUSHWALKING GUIDE
| Rainforest Walking Circuit | Redwood Forest Walk | Redwood Bridle Trail |
Grade |  moderate |  hard | hard |
Distance | 400m | 2.7km | 2.6km |
Trail Type | circuit | one way | one way |
Walking Time | 20min | 90min | 1hr 25min |
| Grasstree Track | Eagles Nest Trail | Ferny Gully Circuit |
Grade | hard | hard | hard |
Distance | 1.9km | 0.9km | 1.2km+connecting trails |
Trail Type | one way | one way | circuit |
Walking Time | 70min | 40min | 20min or 1hr+ |
* There is no official grading recorded for Ferntree/Ferny Gully Circuit. Based on limited signage, and track damage due to recent weather events, Ferny Gully Circuit matches the criteria for Grade 4.
Amenities/Suitable For:
Location & Parking:
Redwood Park has two entrances. Most of the park's trails start from the picnic area at the bottom entrance to the park.
Driving down the range from Toowoomba to Withcott, Redwood's bottom entrance is on the left of the Warrego Highway, just after the 100km speed sign.
The gate at the entrance is usually locked. Use the small parking area provided, then enter through the pedestrian gate and walk approx. 100m along the gravel driveway to reach the picnic area/trailheads.
Redwood's top entrance is off Prince Henry Drive.
Use the carpark for Jubilee Park then cross the road on foot to the well- signed trailhead for Redwood Bridle Trail and Redwood Forest Walk.
Walk 1: Rainforest Walking Circuit (approx. 20min)
This trail is an ideal short walk for families and nature lovers - a welcome shady escape on a hot day, with the possibility of a paddle in the creek if conditions are suitable. Interpretive signs describe the flora and fauna of the park, and the path is easy to follow, (although there are a few natural stairs and tree-roots to navigate, and adults may have to stoop occasionally to avoid low hanging vines or encroaching shrubs). Quiet walkers will be rewarded with plenty of bird-sightings, and don't forget to check the forest floor for evidence of animal diggings, ground-dwelling birds and giant flat-coiled snails.
Starting from the Edwin Bernays Picnic Area, proceed to the green wooden signpost marked 'Redwood Forest Walk'.
Turn right at the sign and follow the short fence-line towards the creek. Note: The cement causeway can flood to ankle-depth after heavy rain - please supervise young children carefully.
Immediately after the causeway, you will see the entry to the Rainforest Circuit. I prefer to walk this circuit in a clockwise direction, which starts with a set of natural stone stairs before leading you on a short, winding walk through thick vine forest.
Halfway around the circuit, the trail crosses Redwood Forest Walk. Ignore this car-width trail (which leads to the top of the park) and continue straight ahead on the narrower trail to stay on Rainforest Circuit. This side of the circuit follows the path of Gatton Creek, which is a great place to explore if you have time.
Walk 2: Grasstree Track - Eagles Nest Trail Loop (approx. 1hr 50min)
This medium-hard grade walk combines manageable distances with some steeper slopes and long views out over the Lockyer Velley. The upper sections of these trails can be overgrown, with eroded or uneven surfaces and limited signage, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the map and carry plenty of water. Extend your walk by adding in the Ferny Gully Circuit to enjoy a shady, creek-side stroll/rest.
Starting from the Edwin Bernays Picnic Area, head left along Grasstree Track (clearly signed).
When you reach intersection at the cement causeway, take the left-hand fork up the hill to continue on Grasstree Track (look for the narrow orange signpost if you're unsure).
Follow this track through several steep uphill sections to the top of the range. Best views are when you get to the grass trees - not at the very top.
At the top of the trail, there is an unsigned intersection where you should see a large water-tank. Turn right onto the Bridle Trail (turning left takes you out onto the highway) and stay on this wide, undulating track until you reach the next fork in the trail.
Take the right fork onto Eagles Nest Trail, which is wide and often very grassy, and with a steep downhill section.
When the trail bends sharply to the right, you will see a narrow yellow signpost on your left marked 'Ferntree Gully Circuit' that leads to Ferny Gully. This side-track is well worth the effort and will take approx. 20mins return to the waterfall or 1hr return to cross the creek and complete the whole circuit.
Continue downhill along Eagles Nest Trail until you rejoin Grasstree Track at the cement causeway. Take the left fork to follow this track back to the picnic area.
Walk 3: Ferny Gully Circuit (20mins return to the waterfall, or approx. 1hr to complete the whole circuit)
This circuit is a side-track off Eagles Nest Trail, with a small waterfall, sandstone caves, a creek crossing and additional paths connecting to Redwood Forest Walk. While it is an official council trail, it is not marked on the park map and has only recently been sign-posted. Best visited after rain to see the waterfall and creek in full flow. This area is a roosting place for powerful owls, so please move quietly on the trail. Having seen some recent, intentional damage to one of the sandstone caves, it is a timely reminder to please be respectful of the natural environment and leave it pristine for other users to enjoy.
Starting from the Edwin Bernays picnic area, head left along Grasstree Track.
When you reach the intersection at the cement causeway, take the right-hand fork up the hill onto Eagles Nest Trail (look for the narrow orange signpost).
Eagles Nest Trail is mostly wide, grassy and flat. When you reach a sharp bend to the left, look straight ahead and you should see a yellow signpost marked 'Ferntree Gully Circuit'. You may need to bash through long grass for a few meters before you can see the trail - a narrow dirt path that is densely shaded and easy to follow. There are sandstone caves on your left, then the path follows a trickling creek to your right. If conditions are suitable, there is an easy access point to get down to the creek and dip your feet in the water.
Navigating the short, natural rock stairway then you will reach the waterfall. Note: The trail surface around the waterfall has been severely damaged in recent floods, so please take extra caution here.
The waterfall appears to be the end of the trail, but the path continues in a loop on the other side of the creek/gully. The creek crossing was washed away in floods at the start of 2022 but, if you are sure-footed and creek conditions are suitable, it is possible to climb into the creek bed and pick your way across to the other side.
The loop around the high side of the creek is fairly gentle and clear to follow, however there are two faint side-tracks to the left that you should avoid. (These lead away from Ferny Gully and eventually join up with Redwood Forest Walk. Only attempt these side-tracks if you are an experienced bushwalker with GPS, as this section is unsigned and one pathway is impassable due to a madeira vine infestation.) Point of interest: there is an old Geocache within view of the creek marked 'Are there yabbies down there'.
Walk 4: The Big One - Redwood Forest Walk + Grasstree Track OR Eagles Nest Trail + Redwood Bridle Trail (approx. 4hr)
This 7.2km walk is a whirlwind tour of Redwood Park. Signage is sketchy on the upper trails, which are often overgrown, so be sure to use a map/GPS on your first attempt and carry plenty of water. The hills are not for the faint-hearted (you are literally descending and ascending the elevation of the Toowoomba Range), and extra care should be taken after rain when the trail surfaces may be slick, boggy or badly eroded. Despite the challenges, this is a rewarding walk that passes through a variety of forest types and offers some beautiful (though often partially obscured) views out over the Lockyer Valley. I usually walk this circuit in a clockwise direction, starting from the upper trailhead to get the benefit of more gradual uphills on Grasstree Track.
Starting from the Prince Henry Heights trailhead, look to your left and take the shady, narrow path that is the start of Redwood Forest Trail (a slower but much nicer option than the steep, slippery gravel driveway). Note some interesting, signed geological features along this section of the walk.
This narrow path comes to a wide T-intersection, which is often overgrown and the signage is unclear. Turn left to continue along Redwood Forest Trail, which leads downhill past high, eroded banks on your left and occasional views toward Mt Meewah (Tabletop Mountain) on your right. This section of the trail can be very boggy after rain.
There is a good vantage point for photos at the next (unsigned) intersection. Take the right-hand fork, which continues down the escarpment to the picnic area. (Avoid continuing straight ahead at the intersection as this leads to a dead end and will add considerably to your walk-time.)
After a very steep descent, the path narrows and begins to zig-zag. This section is shadier and passes around a small rockfall.
The trail soon widens again and is well-maintained from here to the picnic area, passing by a wide firebreak trail marked 'no public access' and signs for the Rainforest Circuit. Just before the picnic area there is a causeway over Gatton Creek, which is usually dry but floods to ankle-depth after rain.
Follow the signs near the picnic area to turn onto Grasstree Track. This section undulates gently, passing through partly shaded eucalypt forest.
At the next causeway there is a poorly signed intersection - choose your own adventure. Take Grasstree Track to the left for the longer, steeper, dryer option OR the Eagle's Nest Trail to the right for a slight shortcut. Both join to the Bridle Trail at the top of the range.
Turn right onto the Bridle Trail (unsigned) and stay on this wide, hilly track, which crosses a few causeways before leveling out at a wide, grassy field known as Galloping Flats. From there, you can see the very steep, gravel driveway that leads you out of the park.
Discover More...
Have you been on this bushwalk? Contact me via email or Facebook to share your favourite aspects of the trail, or suggest an update to this page.
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