The Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC)

The Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC) is situated on an 18-hectare reserve next to Burpengary Creek. This is a space to walk through nature, learn about the local ecosystem, and play at the large, fully fenced accessible playground. Pack a barbeque or a picnic, and enjoy what this space offers.

Days spent outdoors, at one with nature, are a fabulous way to entertain adults and children alike. From the minute you pull off the road into the carpark, you feel surrounded by nature. Decorative murals depicting native animals and plants adorn the buildings, with statues of animals hidden throughout the grounds. T

The smells and sounds you experience when visiting CREEC make you inhale and exhale deeply, reminding you how lucky we are to have such spacious, natural environments to spend our recreation time in. Just lying on the grass and watching the planes and birds fly overhead is also a great way to relax.

There are several areas within CREEC to explore:

The Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre

The Education Centre features a range of environmentally-themed interactive displays and activities that change throughout the year.   

Books, puzzles and games are available for use, and the displays feature information, preserved animals and insects with microscopes available to take a closer look. The Centre also has provocations that encourage children to notice and observe the environment as they journey along the walking track.    

One of the features of the Education Centre is the After Dark nocturnal room where, in dim lighting, kids can spot animals in their habitats and open the wooden door to see the native beehive.  

The Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre is open 9am – 3pm, Tuesday to Friday (though it is best to check hours before visiting). A large range of activities are available to the public, free of charge and include art and craft activities, puzzles, books and display boards.

Throughout the year a variety of educational programs, School Holiday activities, open days, workshops, conferences and tours are run at CREEC with further details being found on their website/Facebook page.

CREEC All Abilities Playground

Families will be super excited to visit the fully fenced, all-abilities playground at CREEC. There is plenty of space for visitors to explore. The dual flying fox is always popular, as is the large tower and connected forts. 

Dotted around the area are musical instruments, play panels, swings, slides and more. One of our favourite aspects of this playground is the nature theme which is carried throughout the whole venue. Make sure you look up, down and around to see what animal statues you can spot – a koala here, a possum there and even a platypus (can you find them all?)

You can find plenty of sheltered picnic tables with barbeques outside the fenced playground, which makes an ideal space to set up for lunch. The Warba Warba Café serves refreshments on certain days of the week; check the Facebook page for up to date opening hours.  

For a more in depth review of this playground see our review of CREEC All Abilities Playground. 

Imagination Factor at CREEC

A day out at CREEC allows the whole family to explore the great outdoors and engage many of their senses. Children can inquire and investigate the natural world and see wildlife and habitats up close. It is also a place where kids can enjoy the open-ended play opportunities at the awesome playground.  

Walking tracks at CREEC

If you want to venture further afield and increase your chances of spotting some wildlife, walk along the tracks that lead through the grounds. The tracks range from 450m to 1.5km long and are on flat ground, making it easy to navigate with little ones.   

Guided walks for small groups can be arranged by contacting the Centre; however, self-guided walks can be taken anytime.  Along the way, you may see some frogs, bats, koalas, echidnas, butterflies, a 300-year-old Moreton Bay Fig Tree, streams and the riparian rainforest.  If you are super quiet and very lucky you may even spot one of the illusive platypus that live in the creek.

Here is a map of the walking trails at CREEC: CREEC Walk Track Map. 

A sensory garden is also located on the grounds and it is recommended to visit there in the early morning when the butterflies and bees are about.  

Facilities at CREEC

Restrooms, including a disabled toilet, are attached to the main building and are easily accessible (when the main gate if open the toilets are open). Drinking fountains are also available.

Several barbecues and covered picnic tables are dotted around the area, making it a great venue for a picnic lunch. The Warba Warba Cafe is also onsite (see website for opening hours) and serves delicious treats and coffee.

Accessibility at CREEC

This community space is easy to navigate and move through right from the car park that features accessible parking bays. The wide, smooth concrete paths cater for wheelchairs, mobility aids and prams, linking the playground with the Environment Centre, sheltered picnic areas and car park.  

The café and toilets are located outside the building and include an accessible toilet and change table.  

The all-abilities Playground caters for children of all ages and abilities. It enables them to interact with their family and friends whilst having fun in a safe and stimulating environment.  

The walking trail’s surface is flat and made from crushed rock and the sensory garden is accessed near the car park, within the grassed area.  

CREEC Features

• Environment Education Centre 
• Large, all abilities fenced playground
• Toilets and accessible toilet including change table 
• Outdoor auditorium 
• BBQs and sheltered picnic tables 
• Open grassed areas 
• Water fountain 
• Warba Warba Café (check website for opening hours) 
• Sensory garden (a short walk from car park) 
• Walking tracks 
• Bike racks 
• Macadamia plantation 
• Koala fodder plantation 
• Off-street parking including accessible parking spaces and bus parking

 CREEC All Abilities Playground (fully fenced) 

• A variety of inclusive equipment 
• Multi-level playground with towers 
• Swings, slides, in-ground trampolines, flying fox, climbing nets and more
• Native animal sculptures 
• Cement paths, bark chip and rubber soft fall surfaces 
• Partially shaded by sails and trees 
• Large wooden bench seats 
• Water fountain 
• Rubbish and recycle bins 

How to Get to CREEC

CREEC is located approximately 40 km north of the Brisbane CBD, at 150 Rowley Road, Burpengary.

To learn more about the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre, please visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Environment/Environment-Centres/CREEC, or phone (07) 3888 8751.

More Photos of CREEC