Dowse Lagoon is a tidal wetland reserve on the northern edge of Sandgate, a remnant of the mangrove and saltmarsh habitat that once fringed much of Bramble Bay. The lagoon is now managed as a wildlife sanctuary and is one of the better spots for birdwatching in the northern Brisbane suburbs: royal spoonbills, egrets, cormorants, and migratory shorebirds from Siberia use the mudflats on their annual journey down the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
The lagoon has a short walking path along its edge and can be reached on foot from the Sandgate foreshore. It's best visited in the early morning, when the bird activity is highest and the tide is moving in or out across the mudflats. The combination of the lagoon, the foreshore park, and the pier makes for a good two to three kilometre walk from the train station.