If your family enjoys a picnic, consider visiting the Simpson Falls Mount Coot-tha picnic area. This beautiful, green space provides sheltered picnic tables, BBQs and accessible toilets and is close to Brisbane city.
Simpson Falls Picnic Area
The wide undulating lawn at the Simpson Falls picnic area is green and peaceful. Picnic shelters and tall eucalyptus trees provide plenty of shady spots to set up a picnic. All the amenities are close by without feeling cramped. However, since some birds are curious, close lunchboxes tightly, or you might have to share your lunch!
A creek bed borders the picnic area, and after a decent rain, there are many shallow places for children to splash and search for yabbies. Unfortunately, the creek was almost dry on this visit, but there was space to run and logs on which to balance.
Several child-orientated sculptures and information points are scattered throughout the picnic area, which promotes discovery and discussion.
These include three hungry kookaburras, gumnuts, an orange fingered yabby, a scrub turkey, a hoya flower and information on the lifecycle of a cicada.
Simpson Falls Walks
Simpson Falls is a 650-meter walk from the picnic area through the forests of Mount Coot-Tha.
It is graded as a moderate walk; although short, it is mostly uphill.
There are also a lot of rock-carved stairs on this walk. Children aged from around four years old should be able to manage this walk at an unhurried pace. Younger children may require assistance. The Simpson Falls viewing platform has benches where little legs can rest. At the time of the review, there was only a tiny trickle over the falls.
Older children and teens may enjoy following a longer trail like the Eugenia Circuit, an approximately 3.2km loop starting and ending at the Simpson Fall picnic area.
Simpson Falls Imagination Factor
Wildlife rangers, it’s time to explore the bush and the creek if it has been raining. As you walk, look out for all the hollows in trees and fallen logs. What might live there? Or bring a notebook and take some time for nature journaling about your experience.
Simpson Falls Parking and Access
Simpson Falls is partly accessible. Free car parking is available with a paved walkway alongside most of the car park. Paved ramps provide wheelchair and pram access to the picnic area, where youโll also find acccssible toilets and a short paved path. Access to the sheltered picnic tables is across grass, which may be difficult for some visitors.
Features of Simpson Falls
- Accessible toilets
- Picnic tables, some sheltered
- BBQs
- Walking trails
- Grassy area
- Shady trees
- Creek bed
- Water
- Limited mobile phone coverage
- Dog friendly (on lead)
- Car parking
- Child-friendly sculptures and information points
What we thought of Simpson Falls
The falls were almost dry during our visit, but the walk was enjoyable and after big rains this would be a great place to see a waterfall near Brisbane in addition to JC Slaughter Falls. Taking a moment to sit together and listen to the quiet sounds of nature was a beautiful encounter. We could hear the trickling of the water over the falls, the gentle hum of insects and the soft rustling of the breeze through the leaves.
We loved the picnic area. It is vast, green, and stretches out, inviting children to relax or run across the grass. There is plenty of shady places to rest. We thought hats, water bottles, and snacks were essential for this adventure.
Local reviewer: Vanessa is a Brisbane mother who has spent many years in the education sector but currently prefers to spend time with her child exploring Brisbaneโs parks, playgrounds and events.
How to get to Simpson Falls
The Simpson Falls picnic area is at 328 Sir Samuel Griffith Dr, Mount Coot-Tha QLD 4066. Continue to the very end of the car park for ramp access to the picnic area.
If you love outdoor adventures, consider visiting the J.C. Slaughter Falls picnic area and of course the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens nearby.
Other images of Simpson Falls
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