Churchbank Weir Reserve is south of Ipswich along the east branch of Warrill Creek. The weir is at the junction of Mutdapilly Churchbank Weir Rd and Peak Crossing Churchbank Weir Rd, with access to the reserve about a kilometre back towards Peak Crossing.
The reserve is upstream from the weir of Warrill Creek. The entrance is away from the creek, leading down a narrow section towards it. The reserve then follows along the bank with plenty of riverside space.
Update 2024: before reading too much further, we dropped by in 2024 because of the potential of permanent homeless taking residence, as it was happening in our local area of Redcliffe. We found permanent campers and the area generally not as nice as what it used to be. Beside the creek we found rubbish, some of it recent. It is a shame, as Churchbank Weir Reserve is usually in the top 10 brown sign destinations viewed on our website. It isn’t somewhere we would recommend going to for a relaxing weekend in its current condition and situation.
The water along the reserve is a long slow running section before the weir, and fish can be caught here. Some weirs require a SIPS permit, but Churchbank Weir is not mentioned as one of them. The creek is downstream from Lake Moogerah, which is a stocked impoundment where a SIPS permit is required, so it may get some fish from time to time come down from the dam.
A kayak or canoe would be great to use here also, whether it is for some fun paddling around or to fish from the water instead of from the banks of the creek. The bank is steep but not too high to get a paddle craft into the water. There is a spot at the far end of the reserve that is easier to get in and out from.
The bank of the creek looks perfect for catching yabbies. Dad would correct me saying they are called lobbies in Queensland, or blueclaw crayfish. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries call them Yabby but also acknowledge Lobby and blueclaw crayfish names also.
A couple of campers were at the reserve and I spoke to one of them. He has been using the reserve for many years, camping while visiting the local areas. He tidies up the area every time he is there, as rubbish is often left.
The nicest spot is at the far end where it is less exposed, hidden from the road. There are signs of deep ruts in dried up mud showing it could be interesting to get out if there has been plenty of rain but was well and truly dry when I was there.
The ground appears to be more solid immediately on reaching the bank of the creek, which may be a better option to avoid getting stuck or damaging the area further trying to get through the soft mud.
The tall grass around the reserve used to be kept short like the rest of the area but there has been illegal dumping of concrete and metal in the past which foul up the grass cutters when they go through, so the grass is now left long.
There are no facilities at the reserve, so you need to be self-sufficient. It is disappointing when areas like this are abused by leaving rubbish which can so easily be taken back out with you. On the positive side, it is great to see there are those who will take the initiative to look after the areas we are given the privilege to be able to utilise.
The weir itself is not directly accessible from the reserve. There was a path through the tall grass cut through that you can walk to it, although I didn’t walk along it so I can’t say what it is like. You can stop near the weir along the roadway on the eastern side with a grassy section next to the weir.