About the Walking Route

Enjoy a family-friendly walk or wander through Carisbrooke Park, Harry Bowey Reserve and Jenkins Reserve. With plenty of wide open spaces, picnic areas and playgrounds, it’s a nice shaded walk down by the creek line in summer.

We’ve detailed a 5.7km loop with two sections:

1. Carisbrooke Park to Jenkins Reserve (along northern side of river), 2.8km 35mins
2. Jenkins Reserve to Carisbrooke Park (along southern side of river), 2.9km 35mins

Start from, either:

1. Carisbrooke Park, walking along the northern side to Jenkins Reserve and returning on the southern side
2. Jenkins Reserve, walking along the southern side to Carisbrooke Park and returning on the northern side

The walk is following the Little Para River Trail, and the network of trails in the three parks. The loop we are detailing is not marked with signpost arrows, but rather a suggested route for you to find your own way. There are a few intersections where it can be easy to follow the intuitive path and miss the turn off for the suggested route. You really do need to follow the map, but if you stray, there are plenty of alternative routes. You can’t really get lost and will still end up back at the carpark but on a different path. If you always keep the river to your left you can’t get lost.

The north of the river walk from Carisbrooke Park to Jenkins Reserve takes you up a steep incline and along a ridge top walk which borders on suburbia but has great views of the park below.

The section from Jenkins Reserve going east takes you up a hill past old pine trees and looks over some residential houses but continues back down into the park proper and follows the river which is more picturesque with native gums and beautiful dappled sun light.

There are plenty of picnic tables and public BBQs, play equipment and tennis courts.

Parts of the park are accessible to wheelchairs, however sections of this recommended loop would be difficult as the terrain is steep in places with debris on the path, some muddy patches after rain, and loose gravel. There are always alternative routes to stay on the lower, flatter sections of the park.

Three large carparks make it easy to bring the whole family, but you can also walk the trail all the way from Parabanks Shopping Centre at Salisbury. Some carpark gates are closed at sunset.

You can also access the walk by public transport:

• By train, a 1.6km walk from Salisbury Station along the Little Para River Trail to Jenkins Reserve
• By bus, from Stop 54 Fenden Rd, walking 300m to Jenkins Reserve, or
• By bus, from Stop 52 Main North Rd, at Carisbrooke Park

Pedestrians, cyclists and pets on leashes are all welcome to use the trails. Please allow space for all users.

Download the excellent map from the City of Salisbury, that shows all the trails within the Little Para Trail network, including access points, trail reserves and facilities.

Explore more of the Little Para River Trail on the Happy Home Reserve to Port Wakefield Road loop, or the whole Little Para River Trail.