The best bushwalks in Brisbane

This marvellous elevated wooden boardwalk threads its way through a tidal mangrove ecosystem on the edge of Moreton Bay. It's only an 800-metre stroll with informative plaques and several viewing platforms, plus chairs for sitting and watching nature go by. Visiting at low or high tide presents different experiences. Low tide allows viewing of the mangrove roots and the fascinating bottom-dwelling life, while high tide is a less aromatic, more peaceful, walking-on-water vibe. (Check tidal times here). The boardwalk eventually juts out beyond the mangroves, offering views of the bay islands, watercraft and apparently even sea creatures, but we’ve never been that lucky. 

Where: Starts at Elanora Park, Wynnum
Length (return): 1.6km
Time: 40 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Wheelchair, kid-friendly

Despite the Seven Hills Bushland Reserve being in the middle of southern Brisbane suburbia, we’ve seen a koala up a gum tree, an incredible black cockatoo on a tree stump and a fluorescent green tree snake here. There are many entry points to this city-bush spot; you can park on Richmond Road or one of several cul-de-sacs that end at the 50-hectare reserve. A single loop takes 25 minutes, and completing both loops can take 50 minutes. The track is dry and rocky with ups and downs. The path is wide and fairly shady, so even on a scorching Brisbane day, it can be quite pleasant, especially in the gully parts. 

Where: Starts at end of Latina Ave, Seven Hills
Length (return): 3.1km
Time: 50 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Kid-friendly, on-leash dog-friendly

Walk from the base of Mount Gravatt to the summit on this two-kilometre round trip. Starting at Gertrude Petty Place, walk across Mount Gravatt Outlook Drive and follow the Summit Track signs. There are ferns, creepers and even strangler figs in the sheltered gullies and magnificent larger eucalypts on the heights. Keep your eyes peeled for echidnas and koalas too. The walk isn’t tricky despite the fact that you are going uphill, just take your time on the stairs and enjoy an awesome view of the city from the top. There’s a nice café up there too, if you need an extra reward. You could take the slightly trickier Federation track down to your car for some variety.

Where: Gertrude Petty Place at the base of Mount Gravatt
Length (return): 2km
Time: 30–45 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Kid-friendly (if they don't mind going uphill)

Whites Hill Reserve offers easy scrubby bushwalks with city glimpses and a good chance of seeing a koala. There's a variety of interlinking signposted trails through this eucalypt forest, so, as with many of these walks, you can mix and match your walk according to your whims and fitness. The Whites Hill Circuit starts on the Tallowwood track, beginning amidst the Boundary Road playing fields and finishing at the summit (in the Edwardian era, there used to be a party house with telescopes and entertainment up here). 

Where: Starts at Whites Hill Reserve Playground, Camp Hill
Length (return): 1.6km (from the football carpark)
Time: 20–40 mins 
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Pram and wheelchair friendly in parts, kid-friendly, on-leash dog-friendly

This open eucalypt forest is a remnant of what Brisbane used to look like. There are sandstone boulders, grass trees, forested ridges, scrubby gullies and several views across Brisbane contrasting the prehistoric and modern worlds. Kookaburras are easy to spot, the keen-eyed may see koalas and echidnas, and it’s only ten kilometres from the CBD. A variety of trails from 250m to 3.5km weave through this huge forest, smack bang in the middle of the southside. Many of the tracks are sealed and make for decent wheelchair/ pram/ bike routes. Other unsealed trails explore the rougher sections of this beautiful forest in Nathan and Mount Gravatt. Try the Sandstone Circuit for an easy 30-minute walk with views to the west, or go for a five-kilometre trip on the paved Toohey Ridge/Nathan Ridge track from Toohey Road to Nathan Campus and back.

Where: Toohey Forest Park, Nathan
Length (return): 250m to 3.5km
Time: 30 mins to 3 hrs
Difficulty: Easy to challenging
Accessibility: Wheelchair, kid-friendly, on-leash dog friendly

It sounds intimidating, but this two-kilometre track up a charming eucalypt valley is doable even for low-to-moderate fitness levels. Leave your wheels in the rearmost car park at JC Slaughter Falls and follow the Summit Track signs. The trail goes over several rocky creek beds with intriguing hints of what-may-lie-up-that-away. Beyond a lagoon, you will follow the track up into the less-tamed forest of Mount Coot-tha proper. Have a well-earned ice cream or beverage at the summit kiosk and drink in the most panoramic view of Brisbane. Loiter at the summit, or take one of the many other walks on Brissy’s big hill.

Where: Starts at J.C. Slaughter Falls picnic area
Length (one way): 1.9km
Time: 60 mins
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Accessibility: Kid-friendly