Mount Nebo would have to be one of the most accessible day trips from Brisbane being only 45 minutes from the CBD and it makes an amazing kid’s bush adventure! Pack some snacks and a picnic and head out for a big drive in the mountains, stopping along the way to investigate nature and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.
South D’Aguilar, formerly Brisbane Forrest Park is made up of Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious. Mt Mee and surrounding areas and is an exciting, yet relaxing day out for Brisbane families. Begin at Waterworks Road, The Gap and continue along Mount Nebo Road following Tourist Route 8, up the D’Aguilar Ranges until you reach the townships of Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious. The area combines historical interest sites, geological phenomena and plenty of walking tracks with awesome views! Here are some things to do and see on your day trip to Mt Nebo with kids. Check out the National Parks and Wildlife Map here.
Walkabout Creek Visitors Centre and South East Queensland Wildlife Centre
The Walkabout Creek Visitors Centre is located at 60 Mount Nebo Road, The Gap and gives a great overview of the national parks in South East Queensland. The South East Queensland Wildlife Centre shows native birds, reptiles, fish, mammals and amphibians in a natural environment with Ranger guided talks and tours included in the admission cost.
Swimming Holes
The Mt Nebo, Mt Glorious and Samford areas boast some of the best fresh water swimming spots in greater Brisbane. Cedar Creek, below Mt Glorious, Stony Creek, Mt Nebo, Rocky Hole in Mt Mee all boast crystal clear streams of varying depths, ideal for Brisbane Kids to cool off. If you’ve got really quiet Brisbane Kids (bahahahahah like they exist!) you might even spot a platypus in the mud banks!
Bellbird Grove
Bellbird Grove is a large picnic area with gas barbecues, toilets and access to the Turrbal Circuit (1.7km) and Golden Boulder (1.8km) walking tracks. Show your kids the Bandicoot holes which are clearly visible on the Turrbal Circuit, and the Golden Boulder track has signs to tell of the area’s gold bearing past. This path has steep sections so children will need to be supervised. Keep an ear out for the Bellbird’s call too!
McAfees Lookout
McAfees Lookout gives a spectacular view of the Moreton Bay islands from a viewing platform. The lookout was named after some of the first settlers in the area and is a favourite with Brisbane kids who love to spot a little wildlife. Butterflies, birds and even the odd wallaby can be spotted if you’ve got a keen eye! Don’t forget to take time out to read the information boards along your adventure too! Learn about everything from amazing creatures to firey volcanoes – perfect for Brisbane kids with big imaginations!
Camp Mountain Lookout and Bathersby Lookout
Next on the adventure is Camp Mountain Lookout. Gold miners coming to Mt Nebo in the 1860s camped in the area of the lookout. It offers picnic shelters and wood barbecues in between tall eucalypt trees. This lookout offers some stunning views of the Glass House Mountains and Moreton Bay.
Bathersby Lookout is the lower platform, and offers a great view of the Brisbane skyline and on a clear day the view continues out to the Moreton Bay islands. See how many your kids can see! More information is here on how to get there
Jolly’s Lookout
Brisbane’s first Lord Mayor, William Jolly, enjoyed the view from this vantage point so much he agreed to build a road here from Brisbane. Wood barbecues and picnic tables are available but the water here must be treated first before drinking. There is a 1.5km circuit walking track, Egernia Circuit, popular with bird watchers. Your Brisbane Kids will love the viewing platform looking out over the valley and there’s plenty of information to make it an educational stop along the way.
Refreshments
Green Tree Frog Café 60 Mount Nebo Rd The Gap. Part of the Walkabout Creek Visitors Centre, the café serves morning and afternoon tea and light lunch.
Café Boombana 1863 Mount Nebo Rd, Mt Nebo. A child friendly café located just up the road from Jolly’s Lookout, their snacks, main meals and desserts are prepared on the premises with as much local produce as possible.
Elm Haus Cnr Browns Road and Mount Glorious Road, Mt Glorious. This unique café offers comfort food which can be consumed out on the verandah in good weather, or inside with the mismatching but homely décor.
Boombana
The lacebark tree prevalent in this area retains its large pink flowers but drops its leaves creating a lovely display of colour in summer. Toilets, barbecues and picnic facilities are available here, and the water needs to be treated before drinking. It’s the last stop before Mount Nebo township, which is accessible by walking an extra 600 metres from the boardwalk on the 1km walking track, Pitta Circuit. The walking track takes in a huge strangler fig along the way, exploring open eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest.
If you’re stopping in the quaint township of Mt Nebo, check out the town historical centre, shop for fresh, local organic produce and stop in at the many art and antique attractions in the area. Find some more information here
Maiala
Boasting three walking trails – 2km Rainforest circuit, 2.5km Cypress Grove track and 1.2km Western Window track, this area was the first declared national park on the D’Aguilar Range. Show your Brisbane kids some of the area’s history with remnants of a hoop pine plantation and the logging machinery used to harvest it still visible from the picnic area. The picnic area has wood barbecues, toilets and the water must be treated before drinking. This picnic area is just past the township of Mount Glorious. We have reviewed Mount Glorious for Kids.
Wivenhoe Lookout and Wivenhoe Dam
Wivenhoe Lookout is located on Northbrook Parkway, and has viewing platforms a short walk from the facilities with beautiful views of giant Lake Wivenhoe. If you have time to head down to the dam, little Brisbane Kids will LOVE watching the water escape, spotting fish at the water’s edge and the many playgrounds and picnic spots around the area. Wivenhoe Dam makes a perfect final destination for your big bush adventure.
Of course all these great ideas can be accessed in the reverse direction by starting at Mount Glorious by following Samford Road and Mount Glorious Road from Samford, on Tourist Route 9.
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Alice
where’s the stony creek swimming hole at Mount Nebo?
Brooke Powell
Hi Alice,
The Stony Creek Swimming Hole is located at the end of Fletcher Road, off Stony Creek Road, D’Aguilar Highway on the western side of Woodford.
Kind regards, Brooke, Creative Assistant