cityscape

Norman Creek

What to expect

A tranquil and sometimes intimate journey through some peoples backyards!

A healthy Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) and flying fox colonies were the highlights of the short tributary.

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Logistics

Norman Creek is downstream of the Story Bridge and separates the suburbs of East Brisbane and Norman Park.

This can be added as a short side trip when paddling the Brisbane River, otherwise the Heath Park pontoon and boat ramps are the only really easy public access points along the creek.

When you reach Turbo Drive Bridge, you should see the sign that states "No safe access to small craft beyond this point". About 50 m upstream, you will come across a rubbish boom across the entire creek under the Port of Brisbane rail bridges. This is 750 m short of Logan Rd at Stones Corner.

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Tides

Tidal flows is mostly mild since there is no significant tidal reach. While I had no real issues with the depth when I paddled the creek, it feels like it would be best on a higher tide.

Tidal info for Norman Creek Entrance
October
22
Tue
00:50
1.63 m
06:45
0.47 m
13:35
2.33 m
20:32
0.74 m
October
23
Wed
01:48
1.48 m
07:31
0.62 m
14:31
2.20 m
21:46
0.80 m
October
24
Thu
moon icon
03:07
1.40 m
08:33
0.76 m
15:38
2.09 m
22:58
0.79 m
October
25
Fri
04:37
1.43 m
10:01
0.84 m
16:49
2.04 m
23:59
0.73 m
Tide predictions are estimates only. Tide predictions are calculated from Brisbane Bar with times adjusted by 31 minutes for low tide and 31 minutes for high tide.
Please refer to the Bureau of Meteorology and Australian National Tide Tables for official tidal information.
© Commonwealth of Australia

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Distance Table

Location * Features † Distance Total
Brisbane River, East Brisbane / Norman Park 0 km 0 km
L Heath Park Pontoon, East Brisbane 0.7 km 0.7 km
Turbo Drive Bridge, Woolloongabba / Coorparoo
Close to the end of the navigable waterway, even when in a kayak.		 3.8 km 4.5 km
Source, Greenslopes
Norman Creek splits to form Ekibin and Glindemann creeks, rarely would water flow.		 4.9 km 9.4 km

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Bats in trees

Quick Stats

Length
9.4 km
Navigable
4.5 km
Council Areas
First Nations
Yuggera
Heath Park
Brisbane
19.9°C
Feels like 22.5°C
19.7°C
10:05pm
27.9°C
01:44pm
Calm
Strongest Gust: 20 kph ENE at 5:05pm
0.0 mm since 9am
Wed
Partly cloudy.
20% chance 0 mm
17°C
29°C
Thu
Partly cloudy.
30% chance 0 to 1 mm
19°C
32°C
Fri
Mostly sunny.
30% chance 0 to 1 mm
20°C
29°C
Sat
Possible shower.
40% chance 0 to 1 mm
17°C
25°C
Sun
Shower or two.
50% chance 0 to 4 mm
18°C
26°C
Mon
Shower or two.
60% chance 0 to 9 mm
19°C
26°C

Sun and Twilight Times

05:02—18:01 / 12hr 58m
Civil: 04:39—18:24 / 13hr 44m
Nautical: 04:11—18:52 / 14hr 41m

Moon Info

Waning Gibbous
▼ Wed 9:38am ▲ No Rise No Rise
Banner image is of Brisbane CBD

Map

Explore the key locations in the map below. Most locations will have a photograph that can be seen by clicking on the icon or number in the map itself.

  • Norman Creek
  • School Bridge
  • School Bridge
  • Stanley Street East Bridge
  • Bridge Turbo Drive
  • Kayak Ramp or Paths
  • Viewpoints

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What to take

Ensure electronic devices and gear have waterproof containers / dry bags if needed.

What to wear

  • Sunscreen / Chapstick *
  • Sunglasses *
  • Hat *
  • Swimwear or shorts †
  • Sun protective clothing (rashie) †
  • Water shoes †

What to take

  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Phone
  • Camera
  • Watch
  • Sponge
  • Rain jacket
  • Spare clothes / Towel

Safety

  • PDF (life jacket) *
  • Whistle
  • Paddle float ‡
  • Bilge pump ‡
  • Paddle lease
  • Spare paddle
  • Light (night paddling)

* Highly recommended (aka required)
† You should wear clothing and footwear that you can comfortably swim in.
‡ These are for self or assisted rescues where you can't easily reach the shore.

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Wildlife

There were two significant colonies of large White Ibis and Flying Foxes on the creek when I paddled up it.

Many birds on a nest in a tree
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus), the Bin Chicken, is also at home feeding in the Mangroves where it can form large colonies.
Bats hanging in the tree
Black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto) napping in the trees.
Bird on a tree
Australasian Darter (Gallirallus philippensis).

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