Want to de-stress from your busy work life and disconnect for a while? Bush walks are the perfect solution, and in Brisbane you don’t have to travel far to get a nature hit.
There are lots of walking trails within a 30-minute drive of the city. Here are a selection of walks ranging from easy and moderate treks, to those that provide a slightly more of a challenge.
Summit Track, Mt Coot-tha – easy
Mt Coot-tha is just a 15 minute drive from the city and offers 1,500 hectares of eucalypt forest and natural parkland to explore. There are several short easy walks flowing through the park which can be joined up to create longer treks. Popular ones include the Summit Track to the lookout, Honeyeater Track, Simpsons Falls and Eugenia Circuit. Mountain bikers and runners also use the paths so keep an eye out.
Crebra Circuit, Samford Regional Park – easy
The Samford Park is 624 hectares in total and is a 20 minute drive north of Brisbane. The Crebra Circuit is an easy 900 metre loop within the park, and just one of the shared use trails available (bikes and horses also use the trails). There are lots of options for longer walks if you wish, check out the Samford map.
Bunyaville Track, Bunyaville Regional Park – easy
Situated 15km north-west of Brisbane city, Bunyaville is a popular spot for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. There are two easy walking tracks and the longer of the two, the Bunyaville Track, is 1.6km return and takes around 30 minutes to complete.
Northbrook Gorges, Brisbane Forest Park – moderate
This trail is just 6km, but features two freshwater gorges. From the car park at Mt Glorious, it’s a 30 minute hike to the first gorge which you can swim through, or you can head up the steep trail on the left. After another 30 minute hike you’ll reach the second gorge, from here a small trail leads to Wivenhoe Lookout. You can return the same way you came.
Lake Manchester Loop, Lake Manchester – moderate / hard
Lake Manchester is 25km west of Brisbane, and this walk heads around the lake edge, up past the dam wall and up into the hills. The clockwise loop is 17km and features creek crossings (mostly dry). There is a campsite at Blue Gum Flat which has no facilities. Bring plenty of water.
Holmans Break, Walkabout Creek – hard
Goannas, birdlife and turtles feature on this 14 km trek through Enoggera Reservoir. It takes four hours to complete and starts at the bottom car park at Walkabout Creek. Take the small track to the far right that follows Mt Nebo Rd. After around 2km the track splits, stay on the right hand side and you will come to a clearing with view out over The Gap.
Mermaid Mountain, Brisbane Forest Park – hard
Anyone after a challenging hike should try the 18km hike from Mt Crosby up Mermaid Mountain. Halfway along are great views of Lake Manchester and surrounding hills. The hike takes about five hours overall. Mt Crosby is a half hour drive west of the city.
Here are some further easy nature walks to try around Brisbane:
- Devils Break Loop, Moggill Forest Park
- Araucaria Track, Brisbane Forest Park
- Stockyard Creek walking track, Brisbane Koala Bushlands
- Summit & Federation Track, Mt Gravatt
- Poets Rock, Karawatha Forest
- Buhot Creek Circuit, Daisy Hill Conservation Park
