Exploring nature trails around Brisbane is always a fun activity to enjoy with the family, but discovering unique nature trails adds that little something special. From fairy houses, crayon etchings and hidden sculptures, uncovering these nature trails will have your kids begging for more walks in the bush.
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Unique Nature Trails Close to Brisbane
Brisbane Koala Bushlands
Explore nature with the family at the Brisbane Koala Bushlands, just 15km southeast of Brisbane. Home to wildlife, including wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas, the reserve features several walking tracks, picnic areas, and plenty of informative signs.
Before heading out on the trails visit the information hub and check out the interactive wall mural, where visitors can learn about the wildlife and press buttons and hear examples of animal calls.
The well-maintained Stockyard Creek walking track is a 1.4km trail featuring a boardwalk and viewing deck with a high chance of spotting wildlife, including koalas, wallabies, and birdlife. The thrill of seeing a koala in the wild is always a strong incentive for a walk, so be sure to read our tips for spotting koalas in the wild.
The Stockyard Creek track is pram and wheelchair accessible, and if your dog is on leash, it can join you.
Brisbane Koala Bushlands Features
- Walking tracks (some shared pathways for horse riding)
- Lookouts and boardwalks
- Interactive wall mural
- Information hub (unmanned)
- Accessible toilets
- Picnic tables and BBQs
- Off-street parking
Location: 137 Alperton Road, Burbank
IndigiScapes Centre – Capalaba
IndigiScapes Centre is an environmental educational centre boasting a recently renovated Discovery Centre, native nursery, café, gift shop, native botanical gardens, nature trails, and a playground for children.
Take a leisurely walk around the Botanic Gardens, which feature native Australian plants in seven different styles (bush tucker, formal, wetland, wildlife, coastal, rainforest, and wildflower).
If you are looking for something a little more energetic, enjoy one of the three walking trails. All trails are relatively easy to navigate, taking about 20 minutes to explore, and two of them are wheelchair/pram accessible.
On the Fairy Wren trail, you might spot a wallaby, while the Wildflower Walk affords you views of the fascinating scribbly gums (did you know that the markings on the scribbly gums are caused by the larvae of the scribbly gum moth!?)
If you visit the Tallowwood View Trail in late Winter/early Spring you will be treated to an array of wildflowers. The trail also leads to a commanding 400-year-old Tallowwood tree, a sight to behold. You may even spot local fairy wren families and of course, many turtles that call the lake home.
IndigiScapes Features:
- Discovery Centre
- Accessible toilet facilities
- Playground
- Botanic Garden
- Walking tracks
- Picnic facilities
- Environmental workshops and events
- Gift shop
- Café
- Off-street parking
Location: 17 Runnymede Road, Capalaba
Kumbartcho Sanctuary – Eatons Hill
Nestled on the north side of Brisbane is the cute and very popular Kumbartcho Sanctuary. This peaceful community-managed forest reserve is set on four hectares of protected land rich in native flora and fauna.
Perfect for families, the sanctuary features a playground, frog sanctuary, picnic facilities, walking trails and the main attraction – a fairy garden.
A unique feature of the Kumbartcho Sanctuary is the delightful fairy garden at the end of one of the walking trails. Here kids can view the various components of the village and imagine how the fairies might live.
Features are constantly added to the village, including a mini car track and post box where your little one can post a letter to the fairies (prepare the letter before you arrive).
The walkways are pram and wheelchair friendly; while there are stairs in some places, alternative walkways are available.
To complement your visit, pick up a nature trail booklet from the nursery to help identify flora and fauna on the trails, as well as space to do some pencil rubbings.
There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings too, so keep a lookout for frogs, freshwater turtles, lizards, snakes and many species of birds.
Kumbartcho Sanctuary Features:
- Playground
- Toilet facilities
- Frog sanctuary
- Fairy Garden with mini car track
- Walking paths
- Rivers, streams and lagoons
- Picnic tables and BBQs
- Community hall and barn
- Carpark
Location: 15 Bunya Pine Court, Eatons Hill
Osprey House Environment Centre – Griffin
As the name suggests, Osprey House is a nature trail that is sure to feature plenty of bird life, including the majestic osprey, which are often seen nesting in the carpark, live streamed to the monitor in the centre or soaring above the water.
Starting at the environment centre, visitors can learn about the environment and wildlife interactively before hitting the boardwalks to see what else they can find.
The friendly volunteers at Osprey House are happy to answer any questions and can provide you with paper and crayons for brass etchings dotted along the boardwalk. Insect repellent, sunscreen, binoculars, and booklets are also on offer to enhance your visit to this unique trail.
While the boardwalks aren’t overly long, they do lead to bird hides and platforms where you can look out over the Pine River and witness the plentiful birdlife and crabs in the mud. On rare occasions, koalas, dolphins, and snakes can even be spotted at Osprey House and in the surrounding area.
Osprey House Environment Centre Features:
- Osprey House Environment Centre (open 6 days a week – closed Mondays)
- Boardwalks
- Bird hides
- Picnic tables and BBQ
- Accessible walkways and ramps
- Off-street parking
Location: Dohles Rocks Road, Griffin
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve – Ipswich
Located just minutes from Ipswich City Centre, is the sprawling bushland oasis Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve. This 11-hectare reserve has easy bushwalking trails, picnic facilities and a fun, nature-based playground.
There are five family-friendly bushwalking trails to explore, each offering something different. On the trails, you can enjoy views of Ipswich, Pine Mountain and Brisbane, spot wildlife, inhale the fresh air and have the chance to spot dinosaur footprints!
The best part is that if you want to exercise with your furry friend, you can bring along your pet dog (as long as it is kept on a leash).
Discover the Tales and Trails program at Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve for another unique trail. Along the trail, you will find a self-guided reading experience via the large, metal storybook pages. For inclusivity, these pages also include braille and are a fun and interesting way to incorporate learning while outdoors.
Denmark Hill Conservation Reserve Features:
- Nature-based playground
- Bushwalking tracks
- Tales and Trails outdoor storytelling with braille
- Accessible toilets
- Dogs on leash allowed
- Wildlife spotting opportunities
- Picnic shelters
- BBQs
- On and off-street parking
Location: 20 Chelmsford Avenue, Ipswich
Downfall Creek Bushland Centre – McDowall
If you are looking for more than just a walk among the trees, then Downfall Creek Bushland Centre in McDowall is for you. At Raven Street Reserve, you will find the informative Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, which has friendly volunteers, a nature-inspired playground, walking trails, picnic facilities, and more.
The unique ‘Mountains to Mangroves Senses Trail’ is an easy 200m walk suitable for toddlers, prams, and wheelchairs.
Along the path, you will find numbered plaques explaining the surroundings and inviting visitors to listen, smell, see, and touch.
While at the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, pick up a treasure hunt map or a ‘Hide ‘N’ Seek Children’s Trail’ checklist and have fun spotting various items as you explore the reserve.
As always, when you are out and about in nature, spotting wildlife is a fun activity—who will be the first to spot a wallaby, interesting bird, or even a snake or koala?
Downfall Creek Bushland Centre Features:
- Downfall Creek Bushland Centre
- Walking tracks including a Senses Trail
- Engaging playground
- Basketball half-court
- Accessible toilet facilities
- Picnic shelters and BBQs
- Native plant nursery
- Off-street parking
Location: 815 Rode Road, McDowall
Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail – Mt Coot-tha
The Hide’ n’ Seek Children’s Trail is situated in the exotic Brisbane Botanic Gardens in Mt Coot-tha. This unique, exciting, and engaging adventure leads children on a trail of discovery throughout the gardens to uncover the secrets hidden within the forest.
On arrival, collect a Children’s Trail map from the Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre and explore. As your kids guide the adventure you can help them tick off what they see on the checklist, spending time looking above and below you. You never know what you will find!
Following numbered markers along the trail, you will find animal statues, live wildlife, funky fungi, an interactive metal cray and the popular king fern xylophone.
Don’t forget to allow plenty of time to truly appreciate the rest of the magnificent gardens, with some fun in the playground, a picnic under the trees or a wander through the Japanese Gardens.
Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail Features
- Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre
- Botanic Gardens
- Playground
- Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
- Accessible toilet facilities
- Picnic facilities
- Café
- Off-street parking
Location: 152 Mt Coot-tha Road, Mt Coot-tha
If these nature trails leave you wanting more, explore these Kids Friendly Walks Near Brisbane or perhaps head to the coast and enjoy a family-friendly walk on the Sunshine Coast or the glittering Gold Coast.
Know Before You Go
As with any physical activity undertaken in nature, it’s important to prepare before you go to make the outing safe and enjoyable for all.
- Don’t leave any trail other than your footprints – take all rubbish home with you or dispose of it in an appropriate bin.
- Wear insect repellent. Unfortunately, insects like mosquitoes frequent nature trails, particularly in the warmer months, so wear appropriate repellent and clothing before embarking on your walk.
- Carry some water – kids are notorious for being thirsty, especially when exerting themselves. Carry a bottle of water to keep everyone hydrated.
- Wear sun protection—No matter what time of year you are exploring the great outdoors, it is always advisable to wear sun protection, including sunscreen and a hat.
- Wear appropriate footwear. Nature trails can be uneven in parts, so covered footwear is always advisable to minimise injury.
- Even though these are small trails and your chance of getting lost is very very unlikely, always let someone know where you are going.
If you know of any other unique nature trails close to Brisbane , please let us know in the comments below, so we can share them with everyone else.
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