Toohey Forest Park

A pathway with fencing at Toohey Forest.

Spanning across multiple suburbs, Toohey Forest is one of the few remaining ‘green lungs’ in Brisbane. Just 10kms south of Brisbane City, Toohey Forest is home to over 400 species of native wildlife and plants, and boasts walking tracks, shared use trails (walking and cycling) and a bikeway.

Toohey Forest Park Bushwalking Trails

Just 10km from Brisbane CBD, spanning over 640 hectares, Toohey Forest Park is home to many wildlife species. You can look forward to the chance of seeing kookaburras, possums, gliders, birds, owls, reptiles, butterflies, flying foxes, echidnas and koalas. It is also a playground for locals to explore the great outdoors and enjoy nature at its finest.

The Nathan Ridge Track is 3.5km and easy grade. We walked it with a toddler in a pram and a 5-year-old on a scooter. We made a couple of pit stops along the way for snacks and hydration.

It is a generous wide track with a paved surface and is shared with bikes. We started at the Toohey Road carpark, and overall it is a gentle walk with a couple of slight inclines. It links to the Griffith University Ring Road. The Nathan Ridge Track connects to many other tracks if wanting to venture off and explore.

The trails are lined with beautiful eucalyptus trees, grass trees, banksias, ant nests, sandstone outcrops, birds singing and colourful wildflowers in late winter and spring.

Koalas are known to live in the area so when you visit, look up and hopefully you can spot one of these cute koalas in the wild. The trails are well signed but it is wise to study the map (plus keep one on hand) before embarking on your adventure to ensure you stay on your intended track.

There are three grades of walking tracks at Toohey Forest Park:

Easy: mostly flat with minor slopes and fairly even track surface with few obstacles.

Moderate: track may be hilly and have uneven surfaces in sections. Steps may be present.

Hard: track may be steep, uneven and have obstacles in sections. Steps may be present.

NB. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash at all times.

Map of Toohey Forest Park

To help navigate around the area, take a look at the map for Toohey Forest Park.

Toohey Forest Park Accessibility

Some of the tracks at Toohey Forest Park are sealed and can be used by wheelchairs, prams and bikes. Accessible toilets and sheltered picnic tables are located at the Toohey Road parking/picnic area.

Toohey Forest Park features

Accessible toilets
Sheltered picnic and BBQ areas
Wheelchairs and prams could be used on the easy tracks (see map for grading)
Easy, moderate and hard bushwalking tracks
Views of the city
Dogs on leash allowed
Cycling permitted on designated tracks
On site car parking (Toohey Road entry)

Other Bushwalking Options Nearby

While you are in the area why not explore other bushwalks nearby including Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve and Whites Hill Reserve.

What We Thought of Toohey Forest Park

For us, a morning at Toohey Forest was a fabulous way to connect with nature, experience the great outdoors and be active.

We loved looking at and talking about everything we could see, hear and smell. From finding interesting pods and berries on the forest floor to looking up and seeing ant nests high in the trees; there is so much to soak in for curious Brisbane Kids.

Toohey Forest Park is very peaceful and a perfect place to escape the city. Be sure to wear appropriate walking footwear, pack water, respect the natural environment and bring your camera!