Kumbartcho Sanctuary at Eatons Hill is a beautiful community-managed forest reserve rich in native flora and fauna. Enjoy a day out with the family exploring the reserve, stopping for a play in the playground, a visit to the fairy garden and a walk along the river.

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Saved from developers nearly 20 years ago, Kumbartcho is a community forest reserve on four hectares of protected land adjacent to the South Pine River. Deriving its name from the local Aboriginal word for Hoop Pine, Kumbartcho has much to offer families with young children.

One thing is for certain; from the moment you step out of your car, the sound of cicadas, the fluttering of butterflies and bird song that surrounds you will surely ensure a peaceful and soul-lifting experience.

Kumbartcho Sanctuary Environment Centre

A wonderful place to start your visit at Kumbartcho Sanctuary is at the Education Centre.

The centre is brimming with interactive displays, informative signs and knowledgeable staff and volunteers who are only too happy to answer any questions you may have and suggest ways to make the most of your visit to the Sanctuary.

Do make sure you pop in regularly though, as the displays change monthly, each time focussing on a new theme.

There are books to read, art and craft to construct, toys to play with and even a fish tank with live fish in it!

Don’t forget to get a booklet and crayon, so you can navigate your way around the sanctuary while doing some crayon rubbings.

The Education Centre is open from Tuesday – Friday, 9am to 2pm.

The Playground and Picnic Area

The playground at Kumbartcho Sanctuary is well equipped with a climbing frame, swings, bouncy rockers and two platforms linked by a rope bridge with slide and climbing wall. There’s also a lovely colonial-style playhouse where Brisbane kids can set up shop.

This area has picnic tables and barbecues where you can stop for lunch. This isn’t a huge space, but we love that it is fully fenced, shady and forms a part of the child-friendly features at the sanctuary.

You can also have a picnic further into the sanctuary, close to frog hollow, although this picnic area doesn’t have BBQs.

Kumbartcho Walking Trails

Kumbartcho Sanctuary connects to a river walk that will take you up and down the South Pine River and connects to the popular Bunya Riverside. This famous swimming hole is on the other side of the river and has its carpark you can access by driving through Ferny Hills and onto Bunya.

If you don’t want to walk that far, the sanctuary itself features several walks within the grounds that are quite sizeable for little feet. The walkways are pram and wheelchair friendly and while there are stairs in some places, there are generally alternative walkways to reach the same destination.

Interactive Wildlife Trail

When you arrive at Kumbartcho Sanctuary head to the Environment Centre during opening hours and pick up a booklet which helps you navigate the sanctuary and contains fun activities. This will facilitate a journey through the sanctuary and provide the opportunity for the kids to identify flora and fauna and even create crayon rubbings in their booklets.

The Fairy Garden

An unexpected feature of the Kumbartcho Sanctuary is a delightful little fairy garden which sits at the end of one of its smaller walking trails. The Fairytale Trail is an easy walk from the entrance of the sanctuary (near the environment centre) and is suitable for prams and little legs.

The younger children will particularly enjoy this lovely little village which is constantly added to, changed around and full of wonder.

There is even a car track which has a range of trucks, cars and tracks, just waiting for eager children to zoom their vehicle around on, using their imagination and playfulness to entertain themselves.

What we like about this space is how child friendly it is with child-sized paths winding through the setup and also a pram-friendly walk so parents can join their kids in the fun.

Top Tip: If you have a fairy-loving Brisbane kid, ask them to prepare a letter in advance for the fairies so they can post it when they arrive.

Wildlife at Kumbartcho Sanctuary

With freshwater lagoons, streams, rainforest and open forest, there are plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings.

Keep a lookout as you wander through the sanctuary, as Kumbartcho is home to freshwater turtles, frogs, lizards, snakes and many species of birds.

You will also notice several brush turkeys enjoy the sanctuary and depending on what time of year you visit, you might be lucky enough to see a turkey building its nest or even some baby brush turkeys wandering around.

Platypus have been sighted down in the South Pine River but only in the very early hours of the morning when the sun has just risen or in the late afternoon. If your Brisbane Kid has a particular fascination for platypus you might want to consider heading down to the river at this time either accessing via Bunya Riverside or through Sargents Reserve.

The Sanctuary is an important wildlife highway providing a safe place for wildlife to move from the state forest to the river. This rare pocket of untouched riparian rainforest has 6km of walking paths throughout the forest and the river.

Take your little adventurer on a walk through the sanctuary’s paths, searching for wildlife. Make a game of it by creating a nature scavenger hunt and see who can find all the animals first.

The Native Plant Nursery

Run by volunteers, this affordable native plant nursery grows all its plants from local seeds. Each species of plant is labelled and highlighted with its likelihood to be bird or bee-attracting and for its koala-friendly qualities. They also sell possum boxes and even DIY bird boxes, which would make a great gift idea for a child.

The Plant Nursery is open Tuesday to Friday (9am – 3pm) and weekends (8am – noon).

Accessibility at Kumbartcho Sanctuary

The paths from both carpark areas lead to the flat and accessible walking paths, playground, picnic table and playhouse. Fenced on the external side and on both carpark areas, the playground base is chip bark and is partly shaded with a shade sail, while large trees shade the rest of the park.

There are sheltered picnic tables and barbecues open from dawn until dusk and toilets. The 6km of walking paths throughout the sanctuary are either concrete, paved paths or wooden bridges suitable for wheelchair users, though care should be used at all times.

TOP TIP: We highly recommend that if you plan to visit Kumbartcho you pre-spray yourselves with insect repellant as this is a sub-tropical environment sitting adjacent to a river.

NB. Dogs (other than service dogs) are not allowed onsite.

Kumbartcho Sanctuary features

Fenced playground
- Bark base
- Partially shaded
- Slide
- Rockers
- Swings (standard and toddler)
- Climbing net
- Play hut
Picnic area (beside playground)
- Tables and chairs
- Barbecues
Picnic tables (near Frog Hollow)
Education Centre (see above for opening hours)
Walking paths
Fairy Garden and mini car track
Frog sanctuary
Wildlife spotting opportunities
Rivers, streams and lagoons
Community Hall and Barn
Native Plant Nursery (see above for opening hours)
Toilets
Two small, off-street carparks

The outdoor areas at Kumbartcho Sanctuary are open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week.

While You Are in the Area

For another great Brisbane playground nearby perhaps consider visiting Frank Nichols Reserve at Warner or George Willmore Park at Ferny Hills.

If you and your Brisbane Kids enjoyed this Environment Centre and nature space, you should definitely visit the other wonderful centres north of Brisbane including Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC also has an awesome fully fenced, accessible playground too), Osprey House, or Downfall Creek Bushland Centre.

How to Get to Kumbartcho Sanctuary

Kumbartcho Sanctuary is located at 15 Bunya Pine Court, Eatons Hill.

There are two small carparks for use by visitors though these can fill up quickly during school holidays and on weekends. The mornings are particularly busy, so plan your visit accordingly. If you do park on the street, please park responsibly, being mindful of neighbours properties.