Sergeant Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve

South East Queensland

This reserve runs along Oxley Creek. The series of freshwater lakes in Dan Stiller Reserve are the result of sand mining which has now ceased. This memorial park is named after Sergeant Dan Stiller who was killed by a car accident on duty. The southern section of the reserve is well known for its diverse range of bird species in the area. Note after heavy rain some sections may be closed due to flooding.

Bird Watching
Dogs Permitted
Swamp or Wetland
Eucalypt Forest
52m
Maximum Elevation
143m
Total Climb

Getting there

Start at either: end of Wadeville St, Heathwood QLD 4110 or Corner of Forestdale Dr and Paradise Rd, Forestdale QLD 4118.

Maps

Which maps cover the area?

Route/Trail notes

The walk is not clearly signed.  See GPS track for guidance.

Permits/Costs

NIL

Other References

Family Bushwalks in South East Queensland (ISBN 9780646946092) p158 & 159

Comments

Can be done in three stages. Presently road works near the Johnson Rd bridge. Will there be a safe Oxley Creek crossing one day?

Wanderlust on 19 Jun, 2023

Overall this was a very pleasant route, with some issues. I completed the route as set out on the map in about 2.5 hours. With some modifications, see below, it’s very enjoyable.

The route can be broken up into three section:

Memorial reserve north of the Logan Motorway

Not much to see here, it’s really only necessary for those who start at Wadeville Street. You have to jump the fence to enter the crossing area of Oxley Creek. The crossing at and under the motorway seems to be essential. I could see the crossing being difficult when the creek will rise later in the year so prepare for some wading if it’s been raining.

Memorial Reserve and Warril Parkland trails

Definitely the place to start as per a number of peoples advice. Warril parklands begins off of Paradise road. Large day use area with full amenities. I would suggest taking the Sea Eagle Lake trail along the east side of the lakes and work counter clockwise. Follow the map and cross to the west side of the lakes, following the path south. A very nice walk through, although poor signage beyond the Sea Eagle Lake trail. Very little shade on the eastern side of the lakes. This altered route will cut out a portion of the eastern trail, leading down from Warril day area to Johnson Road, however this is far more ideal as you no longer need to walk along the road and bridge. Its unprotected and really unsafe.

Greenwood Lakes area

A gorgeous, temperate and green area that hugs the lower lakes with boardwalks and well shaded paths. Worth visiting this area on its own for a quick walk. No real signage, just remember where you come onto the cement paths after exiting the open areas when entering from Johnson Road.

Mike on 2 Oct, 2021

Came back to do this walk in reverse and to do the bottom section that was closed the weekend before. We also walked up between the lakes and river. Very enjoyable walk. We started and ended our walk at Warrill Park.

Brian on 28 Aug, 2020

Quite a relaxing walk. The eastern side of the lakes is in full sun with little shade so it gets hot. No track signage, which is disappointing. Luckily there were a few locals on the walk that could direct us, because without their input we would have definitely not found all of the track. Warrill Parkland is quite new and a good place to start and end the walk.

Brian on 21 Aug, 2020

Parked at Warril Parkland as suggested by Scherzo.con.brio and started the route clockwise. Felt very much like we weren't supposed to be there with all the gates we had to climb. Not a fan of the bridge run. A miscommunication meant we missed out the south section so after completing the Dan Stiller Memorial Reserve loop we drove to the end of Paradise Rd and did the southern section at Greenwood Lakes. This last section was completely separate to the first and it's a lovely walk through the wetlands.

sarasvati on 16 Aug, 2020

Like many others, I walked from the roundabout at the southern end of paradise road and skipped the top section. Wide paths all the way except for a 200m section and creek crossing near the new Warril Park. Dont attempt this route after significant rain. I'd walk again, clockwise direction and park at the newly built Warril Parkland. If you walked counter-clockwise it would be very difficult to find the narrow section of trail after the creek crossing. Warril Parkland would be an excellent end for a picnic lunch and adventure playground for children.

Scherzo.con.brio on 9 Aug, 2020

Did this walk from the southern part starting in Forestdale and went North to the Logan Motorway then back south again. All up it was 10 Kms.
The southern part is pretty with large waterholes in Oxley Creek attracting lots of birds. Even an Osprey and a White Bellied Sea Eagle.
I was disappointed with the poor signage, actually there was zero signs and there were plenty of intersections, thankfully we had this site on our phone.
The tracks were well maintained and wide, we enjoyed the day even thought we took some wrong turns and track maintenance also stopped us on one occasion.
One thing I should mention is the walk has you crossing Oxley Creek on Johnson Road, across the bridge with no footpath. This was extremely dangerous and we didn't attempt it. The traffic is heavy on that road so I don't recommend it to anyone. So we came back to the car on the footpath beside Paradise Road in Forestdale.
Also theres no designated car parking space at the Southern end so we parked on the footpath at a roundabout.

Mustangdude on 8 Jul, 2020

Great walk. Some of it was closed due to maintenance so we had to back track and then run along a busy bridge. Def try and do it early as it gets super hot.

Suzanne on 14 Oct, 2019

Not too difficult. More to see on the southern end of the reserve. Plenty of birds to see. As there is not much shade this would be a good walk for the morning or afternoon (better bird ops too).

rob.bushman on 17 Dec, 2016

Where

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