Prohibited and restricted activities in parks

Use this page to find out about prohibited and restricted activities in Brisbane City Council parks, including bushland reserves.

For more information, download the following document:

Prohibited activities

Prohibited activities in parks are activities that are not allowed in any park because they are highly likely to be dangerous or cause significant impact on park assets, park users or adjoining properties.

Some common prohibited activities in parks include:

  • riding e-bikes or personal mobility devices (e.g. e-scooters, e-skateboards, etc) at a speed of more than 25 km/h
  • off-road cycling on high-powered motorised bicycles (i.e. >250 watts) in natural area parks
  • playing golf, other than at a designated golf facility or with a whiffle ball
  • motorbike or trail bike riding
  • four wheel driving
  • activities generating audible noise before 7am or after 10pm Monday to Saturday, or before 8am or after 6pm on Sundays and public holidays (unless otherwise approved)
  • fireworks, other than unrestricted fireworks (e.g. sparklers) or fireworks authorised under the Explosives Regulation 2017.

Restricted activities 

Restricted activities in parks are activities that could be dangerous or cause impact but can be managed by restricted them to specially designated areas or facilities. Restricted activities can occur without a park use consent in designated areas.

Some common restricted activities in parks include:

  • walking dogs off leash
  • riding bicycles, scooters, e-scooters, skateboards, other personal mobility devices
  • bushwalking, trail running, orienteering
  • off-road cycling
  • horse riding
  • launching canoes and kayaks
  • recreational fishing in any water body
  • launching drones
  • operating remotely controlled model cars or boats
  • lighting fires, including campfires.

Some restricted activities undertaken in designated areas by large groups (i.e. 30 or more participants) require a park use consent, as larger groups present increased risk of impact.

Restricted activities may be allowed in park areas other than designated areas with a park use consent.

You can apply for Council consent by submitting an online park consent/booking application form.

Off-road cycling in natural areas

Off-road cycling is allowed without a park use consent on designated mountain bike single trails and shared use trails. 

You can use electric off-road bicycles on these facilities if the pedals are the primary source of power and the motor is a maximum of 250 watts. Remember to take care and give way to others.

If you are riding with a group of 30 or more, you must apply for Council consent.

Horse riding

Horse riding is allowed without a park use consent on designated horse riding trails in the following Council natural area parks:

More information

You can phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to find out if your activity is:

  • prohibited
  • restricted, or 
  • requires an application for Council consent.
Last updated:
Topics: park

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.