Overview
- Features: Rainforest with walking tracks, lookouts, scenic drives & wildlife centre
- Opening Times: 24 hours, daily
- Best Time to Visit: Spring (September to November)
- Duration: Half to full day
- Transport Options: Car, bus
- Cost: Free
- Address: D’Aguilar National Park, Queensland, Australia
- Type: Forest
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Summary
Wondering what to do while in Brisbane? Do what the locals do and head to Brisbane Forest Park for a breath of fresh air and to get away from the noise and humdrum of the city. Located in the D’Aguilar Range, 10km north of the city centre, Brisbane Forest Park is a 50,000-hectare park that is great for bushwalking, cycling, horse riding, camping and taking scenic drives. Read this article for top things to see and do in Brisbane Forest Park.
Top Things to See & Do in Brisbane Forest Park
Top Things to See & Do in Brisbane Forest Park
- Take a scenic drive through the surrounding areas of Brisbane Forest Park
- Stretch your legs on one of the walking trails through the forest
- Pack a picnic or a barbecue and make a day trip out of it
- Visit the native animals at Walkabout Creek
Brisbane Forest Park Scenic Drives
One of the best ways to see Brisbane Forest Park is on a scenic drive that provides you with breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. Below are three of the best scenic driving routes in the area.
- Along Mount Nebo Road – This is the most scenic driving route in the area as the road winds its way through the lush mountains providing you with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside
- From Samford – Take the road from Samford up to the charming mountain village of Mount Glorious and down the other side for spectacular views. It is worth stopping from time to time along the way to hear the distinctive calls of bellbirds and whipbirds
- Westridge Outlook – Six km (3.5 miles) past Mount Glorious is the Westridge Outlook, with spectacular views down to Lake Wivenhoe, an artificial lake created to prevent the Brisbane River from flooding the city
Brisbane Forest Park Walks
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Whether you’re an avid hiker or someone who’s out for a short walk in the forest, there’s a walking trail in Brisbane Forest Park to meet everyone’s needs. Ranging from short walks to longer, 8-km (5-mile) treks, you’re sure to find a trail that meets your needs. These trails pass through the rainforest, which abounds with animal life. Because the park is so big, most walks depart from one of the seven regional centres, which are up to a 20-minute drive from headquarters. (You will need a car.) Make a day of it and pack a picnic.
Below are the best walking trails in Brisbane Forest Park. For more walking tracks, see Queensland Parks.
1. Morelia Track
Distance: 6 km return
Time: 2 hours
Grade: Class 4
Access point: Manorina
The Morelia Track is one of the most popular tracks in Brisbane Forest Park because it takes walkers from the Manorina car park to the Mount Nebo lookout. As you trek through the wet eucalypt forest look out for groves of cabbage tree palms, recognised by their huge, fan-shaped leaves. At Mount Nebo lookout, enjoy spectacular views over Samford Valley and Moreton Bay.
The Morelia walking track is mostly a gently-sloping, well-defined track but it is quite steep in some places. Return along the same track.
2. Greene’s Falls Track
Distance: 4.3 km return
Time: 2 hours
Grade: Class 3
Access point: Maiala
The Greenes Falls track is another popular walking track which passes over rainforest pools and ends at a lookout above Greenes Falls. This track is an extra 1 km walk branching off the Rainforest circuit. Be prepared for an uphill walk on the return trip. Parking is available at Maiala car park.
3. Thylogale Track
Distance: 8 km
Time: 2-3 hours
Grade: Class 3
Access point: Jolly Lookout
The Thylogale walking track connects Jollys Lookout to Boombana. Walk through pockets of dry rainforest, a vegetation type well known for its diversity and abundance of twisting vines. During spring, look on the forest floor for the dainty purple and white pea-like flowers that fall off the native wisteria vine.
Brisbane Forest Park Picnic Areas
Because the park is so big, most walks depart from one of the seven regional centres, which are up to a 20-minute drive from headquarters. (You will need a car.) Make a day of it and pack a picnic. Below are the best picnic spots in Brisbane Forest Park.
- Maiala Recreation Area – One of the best picnic areas in Brisbane Forest Park is located at Maiala Recreation Area, one km (0.6 miles) north of Mount Glorious. There are toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues and water (treat before drinking)
- Jollys Lookout – This is the oldest formal lookout in the park which also has a good picnic area. Enjoy a picnic or wood barbecue at the picnic area here
- Bellbird Grove – Just a 10-minute drive from Walkabout Creek is Bellbird Grove. Stop here and enjoy a picnic or barbecue at the large, open picnic area before taking a short walk along one of the walking tracks
- Wivenhoe Outlook – Only a short walk from the viewing platform at the Wivenhoe Outlook are toilets and picnic facilities
Walkabout Creek Brisbane Forest Park
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One of the tourist attractions in Brisbane Forest Park is Walkabout Creek, a wildlife centre located beside the visitors centre. It’s a recreated large freshwater environment used to showcase the region’s wildlife. It’s an outstanding alternative to a zoo. Here, you can see a resident platypus up close, as well as turtles, green tree frogs, lizards, pythons and gliders. Water dragons, water rats, catfish and tiny rainbow fish also flourish within these natural surroundings. Visitors also have the chance to see the extraordinary lungfish, a unique species which is equipped with both gills and lungs. There’s also a small but wonderful walk-through aviary.
The on-site café and restaurant looks out over the beautiful bush landscape.
Walkabout Creek is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm.
Brisbane Forest Park Map
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Tell us what you think. What are you planning to do at Brisbane Forest Park? If you’ve been here before, what things did you do and see? Please share your experiences with us.
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