Australia: The Land Where Time Began
Brisbane Forest Park
What's special?
Right on Brisbane’s doorstep, Brisbane Forest Park is a scenic mosaic of natural bushland with many places to bushwalk, bush camp and picnic close to the city. Reputedly the largest tract of bushland near a major capital city in Australia, Brisbane Forest Park also contains Brisbane’s closest and most accessible rainforest.Here, national park, forest reserve and Brisbane City Council lands are jointly managed for nature-based recreation and conservation. A haven for native plants and animals, Brisbane Forest Park is a great place to relax and unwind from the pressures of city life.
Exploring Brisbane Forest Park
Visit the park headquarters before you head up the mountain. Obtain information and brochures and check out the native animals at Walk-about Creek Wildlife Centre. (An admission fee applies.)Enjoy a picnic with a view at Jolly’s Lookout or Maiala, or bush picnic at Boombana in D’Aguilar National Park. You can also picnic at Mt Coot-tha, Bellbird Grove, Camp Mountain, Wivenhoe Outlook, Cedar Flats, Ironbark Gully and Lake Manchester.
Enjoy spectacular views over Brisbane, the Samford Valley, Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains from Jolly’s Lookout. On a clear day, you can see the scenic rim of mountains from Western Window north of Maiala.
Go for a scenic drive through the park to Lake Wivenhoe, stopping at lookouts and picnic areas along the way. Contact the park about places where horse riding and mountain bike riding are allowed.
Enjoy the “Go Bush” nature-based activity program throughout the year with guided bushwalks, spotlighting, wildlife talks, kids’ activities and other activities. Contact the park for “Go Bush” details and bookings and information about school and community programs. Fees apply for these programs.
Bush camping by permit is allowed in some parts of Brisbane Forest Park. Book through the park.
Walking
See the rainforest, gold mining relics and open forest along the park’s many short walks. Wear a hat and sunscreen and take water. Wear insect repellent in summer to discourage leeches. Talk to the staff about the long-distance walking trail being developed in the park.Accessibility
The first part of the Pitta circuit is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. The start of the Maiala circuit is suitable for strollers and, possibly, wheelchairs. The park headquarters is wheelchair-accessible.Getting there
Brisbane Forest Park headquarters is located at 60 Mt Nebo Road, just 20–30 minutes from central Brisbane via Waterworks Road. Jolly’s Lookout and Boombana are a further 15 minutes along Mt Nebo Road while Manorina is 55 minutes from Brisbane on the Mt Nebo Road. Maiala can be reached by Mt Nebo Road or Samford-Mt Glorious Road and is just over one hour’s drive from central Brisbane.
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