Best Kid Friendly Hikes Near Brisbane

With so many beautiful nature-filled landscapes to discover so close to the heart of our city, Brisbane families really have been gifted when it comes to kid friendly hikes that they can explore together. Not only does it provide immense emotional and physical benefits to kids, hiking and doing nature walks is also extremely fun and rewarding for them. Filled with sights to see and on tracks that are easy to navigate for the whole family, below are some of the best kid friendly hikes you can do near Brisbane.

Kid Friendly Hikes at D’Aguilar National Park

D’Aguilar National Park boasts two spectacular regions – the South D’Aguilar section at the southern end of the park, and the Mount Mee section at the northern end of the park. The area combines historical interest sites, geological phenomena and plenty of walking tracks with awesome views! The National Parks and Wildlife Map details just how many wonderful lookouts, trails and walks you can explore in the area as a family, with the ones we have listed below being our favourites to share with our kids.

The Pitta Circuit (Mt Nebo)

• LENGTH: 1km return (30 minutes)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

The Pitta Circuit at Mt Nebo is an easy, picturesque walk that is perfectly suited to families with young kids. A bush track that meanders gently beneath Ghost Gums and Bush Orchids, the real highlight for kids are the many educational signs that can be found along the way. A magnificent 300 year old fig tree that is situated along the trail is another one.

Rainforest Walk (Mt Glorious)

• LENGTH: 2km return (1 hour)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

The Rainforest Walk on Mt Glorious is a short but sweet hike starting from the Mailala picnic area and winding through beautiful rainforest scenery. One of the most popular tracks in the area, it features a 2km round circuit that is perfect for little legs. There are stairs when climbing up or walking down and in most steep areas there are handrails. There were a few sections with steep edges but it is still perfectly suitable for young children to navigate. Just be mindful that it can get muddy post-rain (which the kids will definitely love, even if we don’t).

Morelia Walking Track (Mt Nebo)

• LENGTH: 6km return (2 hours)
• DIFFICULTY: Moderate
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

At 6km return, the Morelia Track at Mt Nebo is one that is a little more challenging for younger kids but perfect for families looking for more of an adventure. Starting at the Manorina carpark, the track is easy to follow and passes through lush rainforest and a symphony of cicada and different bird song.  Keep an eye out for the cabbage tree palms – recognisable by their huge, fan-shaped leaves. The Mt Nebo lookout at the end of the track is spectacular, with views over the Samford Valley and Moreton Bay.

Northbrook Gorges (Mt Glorious)

• LENGTH: 6km (or 4km for alternate trail)
• DIFFICULTY: Moderate (sections of the track will require you to swim)
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

This is another hugely popular hike that we have included for families with older kids who would love a more adventurous day out. It provides opportunities for creek exploration and rock pool swimming in a lush rainforest setting. Although you can take younger children too, this unsigned track will require you to wade through shallow creeks and two freshwater gorges, as well as scramble over some rocks as part of the 6km trail. 

The Northbrook Gorge Alternate Trailhead is recommended for inexperienced hikers or families with younger children. With a distance of 4km return, it is significantly shorter than the original 6km return track. The reduced distance also omits particularly steep or poorly marked sections of the trail.

Araucaria Track

• LENGTH: 5km (1.5 hours)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Pram Accessible

Tucked away in the leafy suburb of The Gap, and perfect for a walk with a pram, is the beautiful Enoggera Reservoir. A short walk from the carpark leads you to a grassy foreshore sloping gently down to a designated swimming beach. From this point, there are a few family-friendly walks, including the 5km loop Araucaria track. At 2 hours walking time, this family-friendly trail follows along the reservoir bank before circling back through a giant hoop pine forest. There is abundant birdlife and a chance to spot freshwater turtles amongst the lily pads. Be sure to pack your bathers for a swim at the end too!

Best Kid friendly hikes at Mt Tamborine

Nestled mid-way between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Mount Tamborine is a tranquil rainforest haven that is home to many hidden natural gems. The national park offers a range of different trails and walks for families, complete with waterfalls, rock pools, creeks, spectacular views and an abundance of wildlife to discover along the way. It is divided into six sections of trails—Cedar Creek, Joalah, MacDonald, Palm Grove, The Knoll and Witches Falls. Of these sections, Cedar Creek, Joalah and MacDonald are most suited to families. Below are our favourite ones to do with kids.

Curtis Falls

• LENGTH: 1.1km return trip (30 mins)
• DIFFICULTY: Grade 3, Moderate
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

A very popular hike for families, the Curtis Falls track is both short and easy for young kids to navigate. A truly enchanting walk beneath towering gums and eucalypt trees, the viewing platform here provides outstanding views of the falls and rockpools below. Depending the season and recent rainfall, Curtis Falls can either be a powerful, thunderous pour or a serene flow. This spot is also an important glow worm habitat, so a night visit can result in some spectacular displays. Keep an eye out for basking turtles and maybe even the local platypus if you’re lucky!

Be sure to check out our video of Curtis Falls (with the sound on) in this Instagram post.

Cedar Creek Falls Track to Rockpools

• LENGTH: 1.1km return (around 30 minutes walking time)
• DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families | Some inclines, stairs and slippery rocks)
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

Following the Cedar Creek Falls track on from the lookout, this trail descends through eucalypt forest down to the ever-popular rockpools below. Scramble over the rocks and enjoy a dip to cool down (best done after some decent rain) before ascending along the same trail to the starting point. Note that access to some parts of the rockpools is restricted.

If you’re wanting to do more than a day trip, check out our guides to How to Spend a Family Weekend in Mt Tamborine.

Best Kid friendly hikes at Mt Coot-tha

Only 15 minutes from the heart of Brisbane City, Mt Coot-tha offers one of the best local hikes for kids to do.  With 1500ha of natural parklands, it also houses the Planetarium and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. With a stunning view over Brisbane City to be discovered as well as the breathtaking JC Slaughter Falls, be sure to also keep an eye out for local echidnas, owls, microbats, and koalas en-route. The below track is our pick for a rewarding weekend hike with the kids.

Summit Track

• LENGTH: 1.8km return (around 1 hour return walking time)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy (Easy walk for most families | Flat, unsealed tracks)
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

Starting at the parking area at the JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area, the Summit track is a family-friendly walk that takes about 30 minutes to navigate each way. Aptly named the Summit Track due to its ending point at the top of the mountain, the resulting views of the Brisbane City Skyline are well worth the climb. Depending on how fit your family are, you can either move at pace on the track (along with many others who use it for their daily fitness routine) or take your time enjoying the walk. The track has upgraded stairs, handrails and a new information shelter. There isn’t always a high water level on the creeks and falls, so they are best seen after heavy rains.

Child friendly hikes at Venman Bushland National Park

Venman Bushland National Park, located in Mt Cotton, is an open forest filled with a mixture of eucalypt and melaleuca trees. Known for its wide range of wildlife and birds, this 415ha park now also forms part of the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area.  A family-friendly park with animals to discover and creeks to explore, there are two different tracks here that we think families with kids will love.

Venman Creek Trail

• LENGTH: 2.5km (1.5 hours)
• DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 – Moderate
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

The shorter and easier of the two trails, Venman Creek Trail takes you through great bushland ideal for nature observations, bush walking, hiking and trail running and is suitable for the whole family. Running alongside Tingalpa Creek, the walk actually crosses the creek a few times and has various uphill and downhill parts. Although the track is well maintained and the creek crossings have stepping stones, sturdy footwear is a must.

Venman Circuit (Venman Bushland National Park)

• LENGTH: 7.5km (4 hours)
• DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 – Moderate
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

Starting from the end of Venman Road, Mount Cotton, this walk takes you on a circuit in the Venman Bushland National Park, crossing Tingalpa and Billabong creeks along the way. Wander along the scenic banks of Tingalpa Creek via melaleuca swamp and open eucalypt forest on this trail. Allow four hours to complete this 7.5km circuit through the national park, and add time if you’d like to join it to one of other trails in the Koala Bushland Conservation network of parks. 

Kid Friendly hikes at Karawatha Forest

Karawatha Forest Park, on the southern edge of Brisbane, is an important wildlife refuge for a large number of flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. The 1000 hectares of bush is one of the city’s largest areas of remnant bushland and is home to the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, native plant nursery, walking trails, picnic facilities and a wonderful natural play area. There are 8 walking tracks in Karawatha Forest Park, ranging from 1 km to 2.5 km in length. 

Poets Rock (Karawatha Forest)

• LENGTH: 4km return (1 hour)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

Poet’s Rock has a scenic outlook over the forest and the 4km walk there and back is an easy one for kids to navigate. Scrubby Creek rises in Karawatha’s sandstone ridges and flows into lush lily-filled lagoons. Sedges, rushes and melaleucas line the lagoons, which fill after heavy rain.  

Kid Friendly hikes at Brisbane Koala Bushlands

Another place to explore that is situated between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA). A forested oasis surrounded by urban development— the area is designed to protect the koala habitat while also being one of South East Queensland’s most significant recreation hubs. Tall eucalypt forest, sun-dappled melaleuca wetlands and a world-class recreational trail network allows you to explore vibrant bushland in every direction.

Stockyard Creek Walking Track (Brisbane Koala Bushlands)

• LENGTH: 1.4km (1 hour)
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Pram Accessible

The 1.4km Stockyard Creek track extends to Stockyard Creek with a boardwalk and viewing deck. Keep an eye out for koalas sleeping in the forks of the open eucalypt forest trees, especially closer to the creek. The creek is also home to the eastern water dragon that you can hear the splash of when they launch themselves into the water and swamp wallabies.

Hikes at Bunyaville Conservation Park

Nestled in the northern suburbs of Brisbane is the Bunyaville Conservation Park; a wonderful place to take your Brisbane Kids to picnic, bushwalk, barbecue and reconnect with nature.

Bunyaville Track (Bunyaville Conservation Park)

• LENGTH: 1.6km
• DIFFICULTY: Easy
• ACCESSIBILITY: Pram 

The Bunyaville Track is a gentle 1.7km walk through the bushland and there are many clear signposts along the way explaining facts about wildlife in the area. Follow this track through the forest and you’ll forget that you’re not far from the city and surrounding suburbia. Stop and listen to the birdsong, feel the breezes and breathe in the smell of the eucalyptus trees. Koalas have occasionally been spotted along the Tree Discovery Circuit, which is a short loop track diversion off the Bunyaville Track.

Other notable hikes for kids near Brisbane

Kid Friendly Walks on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast, along with all its glittering beaches, is also home to an impressive range of kid-friendly walks. You can discover trails and bush walks woven into the surrounding mountains and hinterlands. One of our favourite ones to do is the Twin Falls Circuit, which we have detailed below, otherwise you can check out a comprehensive list of favourite Kid Friendly Bush Walks on the Gold Coast for other options that may suit your family more.

Twin Falls Circuit

Distance: 4km
Time: 1-2 hours circuit
Starting point: Tallabanna picnic area off Springbrook Road

The Twin Falls circuit is a great hike to test out your little one’s enthusiasm for hiking as you can do the full loop trail or walk to Twin Falls and back.

The hike’s best done anticlockwise, starting from Tallabanna picnic area. The trail leads gently down to Twin Falls, passing a waterfall on the way as well as a couple of cave-like tunnels through the rock.

You can walk behind Twin Falls, and head back the way you came or continue onto Blackfellow Falls and then up to Canyon Lookout, before heading back to your car.

Kid Friendly Walks on the Sunshine Coast

Bushwalking may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to a family visit to the Sunshine Coast, however, there are actually dozens of tracks to explore with kids!

Within 7 national parks and several state parks and forests, bush walks in this region offer vistas from clear blue ocean to cascading waterfalls and everything in between. One of the best kid-friendly hikes to do with kids there is the Kondalilla Falls Circuit, which we have listed below. For other amazing hikes and walks be sure to see our full list on Kid Friendly Bush Walks on the Sunshine Coast.

Kondalilla Falls Circuit

• LENGTH: 4.7km circuit (around 2-3 hours walking time)
• DIFFICULTY: Grade 3 (Moderate walk for most families)
• ACCESSIBILITY: Not accessible for prams or wheelchairs

Walk down through the rainforest to the rockpools at the base of the Kondalilla Falls for incredible views, then trek the 300 stairs back up to your starting point. Check out our full Kondalilla Falls review here. 

Tips for making the most of your kid friendly hike

When it comes time to head off with your kids on a walk or hike, there are a few ways you can prepare beforehand to help make sure the trip is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of your family-friendly hike.

• Make sure you are familiar with the trail before you head out. Grab a map or print one out online before you leave.
• Make sure you take a backpack with all the essentials in case of a little unforeseen trouble when out. Pack sunscreen, insect repellant, a basic first aid kit, hats, water and snacks (muesli bars and fruit are a great option).
• If the place you are heading has a water hole or picnic grounds, consider packing in swimmers and some picnic food. A great reward for the end of a walk – or the perfect way to rest midway – you may wish you had taken these with you if you come across either of these on your walk.
• Keep what the kids are carrying to a minimum. Even though they may like the idea of taking along their own backpack with supplies, usually the novelty wears off, and you end up carrying three little bags as well as your own.
• Take sensible shoes, depending on the terrain. Sneakers and walking shoes and socks are best.

Now that we’ve inspired you to check out these kid friendly hikes for kids near Brisbane, why not also explore some more gentle paths with our 10 Family Friendly Brisbane Walks for Families.