When Covid first hit and we were confined to within a few kilometres of our homes, I Googled bushwalks near me and found my new, near daily routine: Seven Hills Bushland Reserve.
When I first walked this track I did it with Google Maps open on my phone, consulting various signposts as I went. I now know the track so well, I have no need for my phone (except to listen to podcasts) and can even provide directions to others.
There are many entry points to this city-bush spot. I sometimes park on Richmond Road, Cannon Hill, but really any street nearby that is easy to park and not a nuisance to locals is fine. Within the 50 hectare reserve, there are essentially two loops and it’s up to you whether you want to do it as a figure-eight or a letter B, or you can just start with a single loop.
Despite the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve being in the middle of southern Brisbane suburbia, I’ve seen a koala up a gum tree, the most incredible black cockatoo holding still on a tree stump, a fluorescent green tree snake and in the Perrin Creek gully there are often blue-winged butterflies.
A friend, who I had cajoled into walking with me, asked if I get scared walking on my own? Not at all. I walk the track so much I know many of the regular walkers by sight. Am actually in debt to the Seven Hills bushwalking community as one time I lost my car keys and so I asked everyone I saw, if they found my keys to leave them on the wooden post at a particular junction spot. When I had completed the track, my car keys were on the wooden post. Thank you bushwalkers of Seven Hills!
A single loop takes 25 minutes and to complete both loops can take 40 minutes. The track is dry and rocky with ups and downs. The path is wide enough for council vehicles and is fairly shaded throughout so even on a scorching Brisbane day, it can be quite pleasant, especially in the gully parts.
The track isn’t suitable for strollers, although I’ve seen many families carrying small ones in Baby Bjorns and backpacks. There are no toilets or water bubblers at the Seven Hills bushland. However, there are park benches throughout to sit and catch your breath.
On public holidays and Mother’s Day, the track can get quite busy with lots of families walking together. But most mornings, it’s such a treat to do a loop or two, listen to a podcast, look up at the bright blue sky and feel so lucky to be able to appreciate grey-trunked eucalypts and flowering grass trees in suburbia.