Carbrook is a quiet Logan River suburb south-east of Brisbane with two riverside parks, a cable wake park and some of the oldest German-settler buildings in the region. If you are looking for things to do in Carbrook, the river is the draw: you can launch a kayak, fish from a pontoon, have a picnic or watch boats on the water.
Skinners Park is the easiest place to start, and Riedel Park, nearer the river mouth, suits anglers and anyone curious about the saltmarsh. Bayside Wake Park adds something for teenagers and anyone who wants to try wakeboarding.
Skinners Park
Skinners Park is at the end of Skinners Road, on the Logan River. Logan City Council lists a playground, toilets (including wheelchair-accessible toilets), a wood barbecue, a picnic area, a bike track and waterfront access.
There is also a boat ramp, canoe and kayak access, and a fishing pontoon. The park has two off-leash dog areas, one large and one small.
Paddling from Skinners Park
Paddlers get in and out from the platform on the pontoon closest to the boat ramp. Council’s Logan River Trail signs here describe the aquatic life beneath the surface, and the canoe and kayak trail invites paddlers to drop in a line as they go.
Riedel Park and the saltmarsh
Riedel Park is near the mouth of the Logan River, where fresh water meets salt water. River access is from the boat ramp. Council’s trail signs explain the saltmarsh here, which is some of the largest saltmarsh in South East Queensland and is described as vulnerable. There is also a fishing pontoon.
Fishing in Carbrook
Both Skinners Park and Riedel Park have a fishing pontoon and a tackle bin for unwanted line and tackle. Council asks anglers not to leave baited tackle unattended and to use a bait box. Check Queensland’s recreational fishing rules before you cast a line.
Bayside Wake Park
Bayside Wake Park, at 80 Ferry Road, is a cable wakeboarding park with jumps, rails and kickers, plus lessons, adaptive wakeboarding, a pro shop that sells and hires gear, and a cafe.
It is not open every day. It opens 11 am to 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, and it is closed on Tuesday and Thursday. Bookings are essential, so book on the park’s website or call (07) 3287 7777. Pass prices are on the website, so check there before you go.
Heritage in Carbrook
German settlers arrived in 1867 and called the area Gramzow, and the name changed to Carbrook in 1916. Two places remain on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Fachwerk Farmhouse on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road was built beside the Logan River in the early 1870s for German farmer Christian Kruger and is listed as the only known surviving example of fachwerk (timber-framed brick) in Queensland. The Old Carbrook State School, also on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road, opened in 1877 as Gramzow Provisional School. Look from the road and respect the owners’ privacy.
Planning your visit
- How long: an hour or two for a picnic and a look at the river; a half day with a paddle; a full day at the wake park.
- Cost: the wake park sells hourly and day passes and lessons; see its website for prices.
- What to bring: a lifejacket and water if you are paddling, a bait box if you are angling, sunscreen and a hat for the open riverbank.
- Dogs: Skinners Park has a large and a small off-leash area.
- Opening hours and parking: Council does not list park opening hours or parking details, so check signs on arrival.
Getting there and parking
Carbrook is south-east of Brisbane, on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road. Skinners Park is about 35 km from the Brisbane CBD and about 35 minutes by car. Riedel Park is about 40 km and about 40 minutes by car. Both are driving trips.
To plan a public transport trip, use the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. See Logan City Council’s pages for Skinners Park and the canoe and kayak trail, and the Bayside Wake Park website. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Logan River – the full guide to paddling, fishing and boat ramps along the river.
- Albert River Park – a riverside playground and dog park on the next river along the canoe trail.
- Loganholme – more Logan River parks, playgrounds and dog areas.
- Beenleigh – the historical village and rum distillery.
- Mount Cotton – bushland trails and a lookout just to the north-east.
- Redland Bay – foreshore, markets and the ferry to the islands.
- Kingston Butter Factory – a heritage cultural precinct elsewhere in Logan.
Browse more paddling spots, fishing spots and things to do in Logan.
You might also like
- Maroochy River (Sunshine Coast)
- Pumicestone Passage (Bribie Island)
- Dreamworld (Coomera)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Carbrook?
You can paddle or fish on the Logan River from Skinners Park and Riedel Park, picnic at Skinners Park, try cable wakeboarding at Bayside Wake Park and see heritage buildings from the German-settler era.
Is Skinners Park good for kids?
Yes. Council lists a playground, toilets, a picnic area and a wood barbecue.
Can you take a dog to Skinners Park?
Yes. The park has a large and a small off-leash area.
Can you launch a kayak at Carbrook?
Yes. Use the pontoon platform nearest the boat ramp at Skinners Park, or the boat ramp at Riedel Park.
Is Bayside Wake Park open every day?
No. It is closed on Tuesday and Thursday, and bookings are essential.
Can you swim in the Logan River at Carbrook?
Council warns against swimming near estuary mouths because of bull sharks, and to avoid the water for up to five days after heavy rain.
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