This walk is as close to circular as the topography of this district will allow. However, its achievement does require considerable changes in elevation with some steep inclines to be negotiated. Those who prefer a gentler walk can avoid the worst of these by taking a slightly longer alternate route for one section without missing any highlights.

Departing Government House, walk west and then up to the roundabout at the junction of Boundary Road, MacGregor Terrace, and Latrobe Terrace. Continue right on the latter until you pass the Paddington Shopping Centre and Post Office and come to the traffic island where you can proceed along Terrace Street if feeling energetic, or take Enoggera Terrace for less physical exertion. The latter route will bring you to Waterworks Road which you descend to take the slip road on the left just past Mornington Street, while the former will bring you to Kennedy Terrace which you ascend until you take the U-shaped Glassey Street to Arthur Terrace, thence descending to take Dover Street on the right which dips steeply before its challenging ascent to the slip road parallel to Waterworks.

Now walk down to St Barnabas Place where stands the charming timber building with steeply pitched roof and Gothic pointed windows so typical of early colonial Queensland churches. It and its hall have served the Ithaca community since 1888. Now, proceed down the hill away from the main road and follow Dyne Street to reach Arthur Terrace once more. Turning right, climb up to Kenwyn Road and follow it down to the pedestrian and bike path that will take you past Gilbert Park and the famous “Red Hill” home of the Brisbane Broncos. After crossing Ithaca Creek, go right on the narrow path with a railing and walk up to Betheden Terrace and then right again to Waterworks Road. After turning left, you will come upon St Finbar’s Catholic Church, Ashgrove. This picturesque church was consecrated on 17 March 1957 and was one of the last of many commissioned by Brisbane’s longest-serving Catholic Archbishop James Duhig and is typical of his preferred Romanesque style.

As you continue along Waterworks Road, you will see Stewart Place on the opposite side. The Ashgrove War Memorial is located on the western side of this small park while a series of informative storyboards provides some interesting local history. The park marks the eastern boundary of the estate that originally surrounded Glenlyon House, which we shall pass on another walk. This district was also the home of the 61st Battalion Queensland Cameron Highlanders, Royal Queensland Regiment, the first new militia battalion to be raised before World War II. The battalion provided an honour guard at Government House for the then Governor, Sir Leslie Wilson in 1939, and went on to fight at the Battle of Milne Bay (along with three other Queensland battalions) where the Japanese Imperial Forces suffered their first defeat on land.

As you walk further along Waterworks Road you are following a route used by the Turrbal people to reach Mt Coot-tha (Kuta)¹. The road was built in the 1860s to provide access to the Enoggera Reservoir, hence the name. Soon you will come upon St Paul’s Anglican Church consecrated in 1952 by Archbishop Reginald Halse, replacing a timber structure built on land purchased by Canon Garland, then rector of Ithaca. An interesting feature is a memorial gate dedicated to King George VI. The church itself is in a modern Gothic style. It also saw the christening of the author in 1953.

Turn into Jubilee Terrace and then immediately into Devonshire Street on the right (it is best to cross at the lights on Waterworks Road as Jubilee Terrace is very busy). You are now in a typical Ashgrove suburban street that will bring you back to Ithaca Creek and a steep path on the left that you follow down to a footbridge. On the other side of the bridge, you will find Fletcher Parade which you follow to the right eventually coming to a shady creek-side walk through Fletcher Parade Park and thence to Jubilee Park where you cross to ascend Empress Terrace and thence Lewin Street to reach the Coopers Camp Road. Now climb up to the junction with MacGregor Terrace and descend once more to Fernberg.

¹ J.G. Steele, Aboriginal Pathways, UQ Press, 1984.