Sherwood, Brisbane: Things to Do, Parks and River Walks

Sherwood is a riverside suburb in Brisbane’s south-west, and the things to do in Sherwood are mostly parks: a famous arboretum on the Brisbane River, creek-side reserves and an off-leash dog area. It is about 20 minutes by car from the CBD, and it has its own railway station on the Ipswich line.

The suburb is quiet and green rather than busy, so it suits a slow morning outdoors with a picnic, a dog or a bike. You can link it with nearby Graceville, Chelmer and Indooroopilly for a longer river day.

Sherwood Arboretum

Sherwood Arboretum is the main attraction, a heritage-listed park on the western side of the suburb beside the Brisbane River. It has its own full guide, including walks, playgrounds and parking, in the Sherwood Arboretum guide.

Cactoblastis Corner

Cactoblastis Corner is a small riverfront park at the end of Ferry Street, a short way from the Arboretum. It sits on the site of the former Prickly Pear Research Board, later the Alan Fletcher Research Station, which was central to Australia’s fight against the prickly pear weed.

Local residents and former research staff voted on the name, which honours the cactus moths reared at the site and released into prickly pear country. It is a quiet spot to stop by the river.

Parks for dogs and barbecues

Erna Brazier Park (Thomas Street)

Erna Brazier Park at 18 Egmont Street has an unfenced dog off-leash area, called the Thomas Street Park off-leash area by the council. The off-leash area covers about 0.45 hectares, with no lighting, no small dog enclosure and no agility equipment. Because it is unfenced, keep your dog under control near the road.

Strickland Terrace Park

Strickland Terrace Park at 11 Strickland Terrace is about five hectares on the eastern side of the suburb. It has a wood-fired single barbecue and three drinking fountains, each with two taps, so bring your own wood and firelighters.

Hives Park

Hives Park on Primrose Street is a smaller park near the rail line. It has a drinking fountain with a tap and a dog bowl, which makes it a handy stop on a dog walk.

Barbecues at the Arboretum

If you want more than one barbecue, the council lists six at Sherwood Arboretum: four electric and two wood-fired. The Sherwood Arboretum guide has the details.

Shops and heritage on Sherwood Road

The retail strip is centred on Sherwood Road, where the Sherwood Central shops are. The suburb also has several heritage-listed places, including Sherwood State School, St Matthew’s Anglican Church and the Berry and MacFarlane Monument. The Arboretum itself is heritage listed.

A river day out around Sherwood

Sherwood works best as one stop in a longer loop. Start with a walk in the Arboretum, then stop at Cactoblastis Corner for the river view and its research-station story. After that, take the dog to Erna Brazier Park, or head north to Graceville and across the river to Chelmer.

If you have the whole day, Indooroopilly and the Walter Taylor Bridge are a short drive away, and Oxley Creek Common is the place to go for birds and flat walking tracks.

Planning your visit

• How long: Half a day for the Arboretum plus Cactoblastis Corner and a park.
• Best time: Morning or late afternoon, when the river parks are cooler.
• What to bring: Water, a picnic, sun protection and wood and firelighters if you want the barbecue.
• Dogs: On a leash except in the signed off-leash area at Erna Brazier Park.
• Flooding: The suburb flooded in 2011 and 2022, so check conditions before visiting river parks after heavy rain.

Getting to Sherwood and parking

Sherwood is about 20 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. Park on the street near the park you are visiting, and check signs for time limits.

By train, Sherwood station is served by T1 trains towards Ipswich and Rosewood and T2 trains towards Springfield Central. Check the Translink Sherwood station page for times.

Nearby

• Sherwood Arboretum – river walks and playgrounds in the suburb.
• Graceville Memorial Park – playground, war memorial and honour avenue just north.
• Chelmer – the riverside village across the water.
• Indooroopilly – river bridges, parks and shops.
• Walter Taylor Bridge – a heritage suspension bridge walk.
• Oxley Creek Common – flat walks and birdwatching to the south-east.
• Rocks Riverside Park – playgrounds and water play on the river.
• More ideas: parks, dog parks and everything in Brisbane.

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