Go on an Adventure with Brisbane’s Best Day Hikes
There are several benefits to hiking vacations, including getting some exercise and fresh air as well as disconnecting from technology. There are several advantages in terms of the body. Regular outdoor activity, even a little hike, can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and your chance of developing type II diabetes as well as heart disease. Hiking lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, providing a relaxing effect that only nature can provide – in addition to the advantages of exercise alone. Hiking has been linked to the advantages of decreasing stress levels and has been shown to relieve anxiety by quieting the mind and allowing you to focus on your breathing in a semi-meditative state. Go outside to relieve stress naturally and to instantly improve your attitude. Going on your first-day walk might be intimidating, especially if it’s your first, but done properly, it can be a delightful and freeing experience! But don’t worry, Brisbane has a wealth of hiking paths for novices, intermediate hikers, and experienced hikers alike! Put on your hiking boots and join us as we explore Brisbane’s top-day hiking sites!
Purling Brook Falls Circuit and Wapringa Pool
At roughly 100 kilometres south of Brisbane, Springbrook’s most popular trek, Purling Brook Falls, can be found. In about two hours and four kilometres, you’ll get views of Gold Coast and Purling Brook Valley from the cliffs above as you begin the grade three circle. Before you reach the base of the falls for Warringa Pool, the vegetation changes to cool rainforest and you’ll have to walk an additional two kilometres to get there. In the heart of the rainforest, this emerald oasis can be reached by walking through the palm trees. After a refreshing dip, make your way back to the falls’ base and complete the loop through drier eucalypt forests. In order to avoid having to climb 265 stairs, it is recommended that you take the circuit clockwise.
Mt Tamborine
Walking and hiking are the best ways to experience Tamborine Mountain, which is aptly termed “the green behind the gold.” Any time of year is a fantastic time to come, from the easy treks at Witches Falls and Sandy Creek Circuit to the stunning Palm Grove Rainforest Circuit. For those who enjoy the outdoors, Tamborine Mountain is a haven of tranquilly. The “Witches Falls” area of Queensland’s first national park, Tamborine National Park, was established in 1908. The Tamborine plateau and its surrounding slopes have been added to throughout the years, resulting in the current park’s 13 separate portions. There are several scenic rainforest bushwalks to choose from, the most of them are under 3 kilometres long and take around an hour to complete. The trails are well-marked and simple to follow. These paths, with their subtropical palms, intimidating huge strangler figs, and apparently, endless viewing places, are ideal for the more leisurely beginner hikers.
Mt Coot-tha
Located west of Brisbane’s CBD, Mt Coot-tha Forest Reserve is also known as Mt Coot-tha Forest (CBD). Mt Coot-tha, a Brisbane landmark and the city’s largest natural area, serves as a background to the metropolis. More than 1600 hectares of open eucalypt forests, rainforest valleys, and streamlines make up the area. D’Aguilar National Park’s south-eastern border is shared by Mt. Coot-tha Reserve and Mt. Coot-tha. Stunning vistas, seasonal rivers, and waterfalls abound in these two national parks, which together cover up to 40,000 acres of woodland. With a panoramic view over Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Mount Barney, Flinders Peak, the Main Range, and the Tweed Volcano in the background, Mt. Coot-tha Lookout makes for an ideal day trip from the city. From the JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area, the walk to this overlook is on a concrete road that crosses a gully, but it’s still very straightforward.
Kondalilla Falls Circuit
The 80-meter-high Kondalilla Falls is one of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s most impressive and easily-accessible waterfalls. On top, there are natural rock pools with spectacular views of a rainforest valley. You may cool down in the waterfall’s rock pools on each side. The Blackall Range’s most stunning waterfall may be seen at Kondalilla National Park during the wet season of the summer. Skene Creek plunges 90 metres from the peak of Kondalilla Falls into the beautiful rainforest valley below. Rock pools, lookouts, and waterfalls are all accessible through walking trails.
The Kondalilla Falls circuit has a length of 4.7 kilometres and may be completed in two to three hours. There are more than 100 stairs in this walk, so it’s quite a workout, especially on the return trip! Continue down the cliff, past the rock pool, and you’ll reach an overlook with your first glimpse of Kondalilla Falls. This is the starting point for a walk through the subtropical rainforest to the base of the waterfall and then back up the hill to finish the circle. After a long trek up the steps, a refreshing swim in the rock pool and a nice breeze from the jungle will help you chill off!
North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
The second-largest sand island in the world, North Stradbroke Island/Mineeribah is located off the coast of Australia. The island, which is 30 kilometres south-east of Brisbane, may be reached from Cleveland by water taxi or vehicle ferry. There are breathtaking ocean vistas, natural beauty and rare wildlife encounters to be had along the shore. There’s no better way to see North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) than to take the Gorge Walk, which offers breathtaking views of the island’s rocky outcroppings, golden expanses of sand, and azure seas. The 1.2-kilometre promenade that hugs Point Lookout’s clifftop provides visitors with picture-perfect vistas. It’s easy to see marine life like turtles, dolphins, and manta rays because of the crystal-clear seas.
The Quandamooka People, the island’s traditional proprietors, collaborated with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to design and build the new Mount Vane walking trail. Two existing trails in the Naree Budjong Djara (My Mother Earth) National Park are connected by a new 2.2-kilometre path that connects them.
Mount Ngungun Summit Track
Volcanoes that erupted more than 26 million years ago may still be seen in the Glass House Mountains, commonly known as Glasshouse in southeast Queensland. Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is home to seven national parks, and this one is one of them. The Sunshine Coast is bordered by a swath of territory dotted with 12 separate mountain ranges.
The Mount Ngungun Summit Track in the Glass House Mountains is one of the most popular hiking paths in the area. 2.6-kilometre roundtrip path in Queensland’s Glass House Mountains area. One hour and two minutes is the typical completion time for this course. Walking, running, and other outdoor activities are highly common in this part of the park, so keep an eye out for other people. Any time of year is a wonderful opportunity to explore the route. Dogs are not permitted on this route, so you’ll have to leave them at home.
This route is ideal for people with a modest degree of fitness who wish to prepare for the more difficult climbs. Just after a rainstorm, the trail can be muddy and slippery, and there are some steep stretches on your climb to the top.
Daves Creek Circuit
Located just south of Brisbane, Daves Creek Circuit is one of the most botanically varied trails in Lamington. This class four track provides the highest plant value per km. You’ll walk through every type of rainforest, as well as eucalypt and heathland, as you make your way around the park. In late winter and spring, the route is dotted with lilies, orchids, banksia, wattles, ferns and casuarina. There are portions of the well-marked trail that travel through subtropical rainforest, temperate forest, and scrubby wilderness. On top of that, the Numbinbah Valley, creek crossing, waterfalls, and lunch at Surpirse Rock are all included. It takes three to four hours to walk all of this.
Toohey Forest Park
Brisbane City Council’s Toohey Forest Park (which includes Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve) is roughly 260 hectares and 10 kilometres south of the city’s CBD (CBD). James Toohey, one of the real estate tycoons who bought up this region in the late 1800s and whose descendants abandoned control in 1945, is the inspiration for its name. On and around Toohey Mountain was the legendary Patrick Mayne, who controlled large swaths of property now known as the Mayne Estate Reserve. This park has barbecues, picnic areas, vistas, hiking trails, and authorised shared-use paths for both walking and biking. More than 75 different kinds of birds and koalas may be found at Toohey Forest Park, which also contains Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve. From Gertrude Petty Place up to Mount Gravatt Lookout, the Nathan Ridge Track and the Summit Track are two of the most popular. Don’t forget to wear appropriate footwear on slippery and uneven paths. If you’re going to be outside for any length of time, protect yourself with a cap and long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Mount Cordeaux and Bare Rock
This 12.6-mile out-and-back track in Tregony, Queensland, is a great way to spend a day. At an average of 4 hours and 23 minutes, this is considered a fairly hard course. This is a well-travelled route, but if you go at a slower time of day, you may find some peace and quiet. Cunningham’s Gap is bordered on the north by Mt Cordeaux. The trail terminates at a platform that is suitable for seeing southward along the length of Main Range National Park, which is located immediately below the main peak. The Moogerah Peaks, Mt Barney, and the Mistake Mountains may also be seen from this location. Any time of year is a wonderful opportunity to explore the route.
Climb through the lush rainforest to the summits of Mt Cordeaux and Bare Rock on this moderately difficult grade 4 hike in Queensland’s Scenic Rim region. A slow ascent through lush rainforest and woodlands begins the Mt Cordeaux trek, where you’ll see and hear a wide variety of wildlife. At the top of Mount Cordeaux, after a tough ascent of around three kilometres, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over the Fassifern Valley.
Walking to Bare Rock, a short, fairly level distance away, is strongly suggested from here. The Scenic Rim and the Main Ranges may once again be seen from the top of Bare Rock. Return to the Cunningham Highway parking lot after a quick snack.
Conondale National Park
Some of Queensland’s most beautiful woodlands may be found in the mountainous Conondale Range. It’s worth the trip to see the lush rainforests, towering eucalyptus trees, cascading cascades, boulder-strewn rivers, and other stunning sights. On the Sunshine Coast, it’s roughly an hour west of Maroochydore and 15 kilometres south of Kenilworth municipality. 130 kilometres (km) north of Brisbane. This 35,700-acre park provides vital habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including several rare and vulnerable species. Many of the plant species found here are nearing the end of their natural range.
An hour north-west of the Sunshine Coast and two hours from Brisbane, the Conondale Range Great Walk takes place in Conondale National Park. It’s a full four-day, 56-kilometre circuit walk — some people have done it in one day – but take your time to enjoy the solitude, since there are three camp locations along the route and two back at the starting point. Additionally, there are other half-day sessions to choose from. The Cooloola Great Walk, which begins on the Noosa North Shore and concludes at Rainbow Beach via the Great Sandy National Park, is one of several multi-day hikes in the area (and lots of sand dunes). The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk are also available.
Take a Hike in Brisbane’s Best Hiking Spots!
Hiking is a terrific way to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. There are spots in nature that the roads can’t go to if you take a hiking trip. Regain your sense of awe and amazement by putting aside your concerns about time, job, and other pressures. You don’t have to travel far to experience Brisbane’s beauties; simply embark on a trek!