Kalinga Park is a large council park on Kedron Brook in Brisbane’s inner north, with a fenced dog park, playgrounds, electric BBQs, shady bikeway paths and a World War I memorial avenue. It sits in Kalinga, on the edge of Clayfield, about 15 minutes by car from the CBD.
The park is big enough to spend a whole morning in, and it suits a mix of ages: kids to the playground, dogs to their own fenced area, riders onto the Kedron Brook paths and everyone else to a picnic table under the trees. This guide covers what is where, plus toilets, parking and getting there by train.
Playgrounds at Kalinga Park
Brisbane City Council lists three playgrounds in the park: on Lewis Street, in the section called The Vines, and on Bertha Street. The Bertha Street side is also where you will find the car park, the BBQs, the toilets and the dog park, so it is the easiest place to base a family outing.
Drinking fountains with taps are spread right through the park, so you are rarely far from water for the kids.
Picnics and electric BBQs
There are four double electric BBQs in the park: three clustered on the Bertha Street side near the playground and toilets, and one at the southern end near Kalinga Street. They are mains-powered, so there is nothing to bring but the food. Bring your own tongs and something to wipe the plates.
Is Kalinga Park dog friendly?
Yes. The Bertha Street dog off-leash area is fully fenced and has lighting, a separate small dog enclosure and agility equipment. There is a drinking fountain with a dog bowl beside it.
Outside that area, dogs must be on a lead, as everywhere in Brisbane except signed off-leash areas. Brisbane City Council’s dog rules have the details. For another fenced dog park with a river walk, see Alexander Clark Park at Loganholme. Browse more on the dog parks page.
Walking and riding the Kedron Brook bikeway
The Kedron Brook Bikeway runs through the park beside the brook, with separate bike and walking paths under mature trees. Mature trees shade parts of the route, and you can join it from the park.
The brook itself is a natural creek lined with bushland along the park’s northern edge, a good place to look out for water dragons and birds. For more routes, see the bike trails page.
Diggers Drive and the memorial gates
Kalinga Park is also a heritage-listed memorial. The tree-lined Diggers Drive was built by returned soldiers after World War I and opened in 1924 as a memorial to local soldiers who died in the war. Queensland’s heritage register lists it as the only known example in the state of a memorial avenue built by returned soldiers as relief work. The park itself was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register in 2007.
Council also lists the memorial gates and Diggers Drive as a cultural heritage site. The drive is a pleasant shaded walk, and the stone gate piers at the entrance are worth a look. For another war memorial in Brisbane, visit Anzac Square.
Sport and open space
The park has large open fields and ovals for cricket and football, a pétanque area, a kids’ bike roadway, plus two tennis courts on Kalinga Street that you book through Kalinga Park Tennis (see the council’s park facilities page).
Planning your visit
- How long: One to two hours for the playground, a picnic and a short walk; longer if you add a ride along the brook.
- Toilets: Two blocks, one on Bertha Street (unisex, accessible) and one on Kalinga Street (male and female, accessible). Both are open daylight hours.
- Water: Bubblers and taps throughout, with dog bowls at several.
- Shade: Plenty of mature trees along the brook and Diggers Drive; the open fields are exposed, so bring a hat.
- What to bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, picnic rug, lead for your dog, bikes or scooters.
Getting there and parking
Kalinga Park is at 48 Kalinga Street, Kalinga, bounded by Kalinga, Bertha and Lewis Streets, about 9 km from Brisbane CBD. Allow about 15 minutes by car without traffic.
There is off-street parking on the Bertha Street side, near the toilets and dog park, including accessible spaces. Brisbane City Council’s parking meter map shows no paid parking in or around the park.
By public transport, Toombul railway station is on the Shorncliffe line and is about 750 metres (roughly a 10 minute walk) from the Diggers Drive memorial gates. Toombul bus interchange is beside the station. Plan your trip on the Translink website.
Nearby
- Nudgee Beach – a tidal bayside beach with mangroves and a boardwalk, further north on Moreton Bay.
- Shorncliffe Pier – a bayside pier for fishing and a stroll.
- Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe – playground, beach and the pier in one spot.
- New Farm Park – jacarandas, a playground and riverside lawns closer to the city.
- More green spaces on the parks page and across Brisbane.
Quick answers
Is there a dog off-leash area at Kalinga Park?
Yes. The Bertha Street dog park is fully fenced and lit, with a small dog enclosure and agility equipment. Dogs must be on a lead everywhere else in the park.
Is parking free at Kalinga Park?
Council’s meter map shows no paid parking in or around the park. There is off-street parking on the Bertha Street side, including accessible spaces.
Are there toilets at Kalinga Park?
Yes, on Bertha Street and Kalinga Street. Both are accessible and open during daylight hours.
Does Kalinga Park have BBQs?
Yes. There are four double electric BBQs, three on the Bertha Street side and one near Kalinga Street.
How do I get to Kalinga Park by train?
Take the Shorncliffe line to Toombul station, then walk about 750 metres (around 10 minutes) to the Diggers Drive memorial gates.
How far is Kalinga Park from Brisbane CBD?
About 9 km, or about 15 minutes by car without traffic.
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