Hiking in Brisbane: 10 City Bushwalks and Scenic Day Hikes
Brisbane is a good place for hiking, with short bushwalks close to the suburbs and more demanding rainforest, waterfall and summit routes within easy reach. Mt Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt work well for shorter outings, and heading beyond the city opens up a much broader mix of scenery and terrain. This guide compares 10 options for hiking in Brisbane and nearby areas, then covers route choice, packing and the practical checks to make before you set out.
Key Takeaways
Mt Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt offer convenient city-side walks when you want a shorter outing with elevated views.
Buhot Creek and Araucaria extend the walk into longer bushland close to Brisbane, and the hinterland routes add rainforest, waterfalls and mountain scenery.
Distance alone does not show how demanding a walk will feel. Steep climbs, stairs, exposed rock and wet surfaces can make a shorter route noticeably harder.
Brisbane City Council allows dogs on leash on selected local bushwalking tracks, but Queensland national parks generally exclude dogs from walking tracks.
Hot, humid or wet conditions can change the effort and footing quickly, so check the forecast, current park alerts and route access before leaving.
Where to Hike in Brisbane: Quick Trail Guide
Brisbane offers everything from short bushwalks close to the city to rainforest, waterfall and summit hikes farther afield. The hiking tracks around Brisbane vary widely in terrain, travel time and access, so use the table below to compare the main options at a glance.
Walk | Area | Distance / Time | Difficulty | Best For | Dogs |
Mt Coot-tha Summit Track | Mt Coot-tha | 1.9 km one way; about 30 min | Easy | Short city hike and views | Yes, on leash |
Mount Gravatt Summit Track | Mount Gravatt | 1.2 km; about 40 min | Moderate | Quick local climb | Yes, on leash |
Buhot Creek Circuit | Daisy Hill | 9 km; about 5.5 hr | Moderate | Longer bushwalk close to Brisbane | Yes, on leash |
Araucaria Track | D'Aguilar National Park | 5 km return; about 2 hr | Moderate | Half-day forest walk | No |
Mount Ngungun Summit Walk | Glass House Mountains | 2.8 km return; about 2 hr | Challenging | Short summit hike | No |
Kondalilla Falls Circuit | Sunshine Coast Hinterland | 4.7 km circuit; about 2–3 hr | Moderate | Waterfall walk | No |
Witches Falls Circuit | Tamborine Mountain | 3.6 km; about 1 hr | Challenging | Short rainforest walk | No |
Twin Falls Circuit | Springbrook National Park | 4 km; about 2 hr | Moderate | Rainforest and waterfalls | No |
Daves Creek Circuit | Lamington National Park | 12 km; about 4 hr | Challenging | Longer day hike | No |
Mount Cordeaux Track | Main Range National Park | 6.8 km return; about 2.5 hr | Challenging | Mountain views and longer climb | No |
*Distances and times are planning figures from Brisbane City Council and Queensland Parks. Conditions, closures and access can change, so check the latest official map and park alerts before leaving.
Brisbane Hiking Trails: From City Bushwalks to Scenic Day Trips
Brisbane’s hiking landscape changes quickly once you move beyond the inner suburbs. You can start with eucalypt bushland and skyline lookouts close to the city, then head farther into South East Queensland for rainforest gullies, volcanic peaks, waterfalls and high escarpments. The following walks cover that range, so you can choose a local bushwalk or turn the hike into a longer day trip.
1. Mt Coot-tha Summit Track: City Views Close to Brisbane
Start from J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and follow the Summit Track towards Mt Coot-tha Lookout. The mostly paved route includes stairs as it climbs through the reserve, with Brisbane opening up below once you reach the top. From the lookout, you can see across the city and towards Moreton Bay on a clear day. If you want more time in the bush, several other Mt Coot-tha tracks connect nearby and make it easy to extend your walk.
2. Mount Gravatt Summit Track: A Short Southside Climb
The walk begins at Gertrude Petty Place and winds uphill through the bushland of Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve. Along the way, you pass eucalypts, shrubs, ferns and patches of sandstone and quartzite typical of the adjoining Toohey Forest landscape. The summit rewards the climb with broad views across Brisbane’s southern suburbs. Picnic areas at both the base and the outlook also make it easy to add a relaxed stop before heading home.
3. Buhot Creek Circuit: A Longer Bushwalk at Daisy Hill
Buhot Creek Circuit takes you through the broader Daisy Hill trail network, where eucalypt forest, quiet waterholes and views around the old quarry break up the walk. Several other trails branch from the circuit, so downloading the official map helps you stay on your intended route at intersections. Walkers also share parts of the network with cyclists and horse riders, making a little extra awareness useful when approaching bends or trail junctions.
4. Araucaria Track: Walking Around Enoggera Reservoir
You can pick up Araucaria Track near Walkabout Creek and follow a well-defined path around the edge of Enoggera Reservoir. Much of the appeal comes from staying close to the water, where you may notice turtles basking on logs, lace monitors in the trees and waterbirds around the shoreline. If you want to make more of the visit, the reservoir also has designated swimming and paddling opportunities near Walkabout Creek.
5. Mount Ngungun Summit Walk: Panoramic Views Across the Glass House Mountains
The Mount Ngungun track moves through open forest and woodland before passing a small rock overhang on the climb towards the summit. At the summit, you get 360-degree views across the Glass House Mountains, with Tibrogargan, Coonowrin and Beerwah standing prominently nearby. Stay on the marked track around the upper section because the route passes close to sheer cliff edges, and wet rock can become particularly slippery after rain.
6. Kondalilla Falls Circuit: Rainforest and Waterfall Scenery
The Kondalilla Falls Circuit drops from the escarpment past rock pools and a waterfall lookout before continuing through rainforest towards the base of the falls. Along the way, you can look for bunya pines, dense stands of piccabeen palms and other subtropical vegetation that give the lower sections a noticeably different feel from Brisbane’s urban bushland. The return climb retraces more than 300 stairs, making the ascent one of the more demanding parts of the circuit. Recent rain can also change conditions around the waterfall and lower sections. After unsettled weather, Sunshine Coast storm conditions and current park alerts are worth checking before you head into the hinterland.
7. Witches Falls Circuit: A Short Tamborine Rainforest Walk
Witches Falls sits within the section Queensland declared its first national park in 1908. On the circuit, you zigzag down the mountainside from open banksia forest into rainforest filled with giant strangler figs, then pass seasonal lagoons surrounded by piccabeen palms. The falls respond strongly to recent rain, so the lookout can look quite different between wet and dry periods.
8. Twin Falls Circuit: Waterfalls and Rainforest at Springbrook
Start from Canyon Lookout or Tallanbana and follow the circuit through several distinct forest types. The route passes through narrow rock clefts, palms and tree ferns before taking you behind two waterfalls. You can also look for the smooth pink bark of old brush box trees along the track. Take extra care behind the falls, where damp rock remains slippery even when nearby surfaces look dry.
9. Daves Creek Circuit: A Longer Walk Through Lamington
From the Binna Burra trailhead, you first follow part of the Border Track before turning into Daves Creek country. The landscape changes repeatedly as you move through rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, heath and more open country. Keep an eye out for Surprise Rock, a resistant volcanic dyke that stands out from the surrounding terrain. Farther along, Numinbah Lookout opens across Numinbah Valley towards Springbrook, Mount Hobwee and the surrounding ranges.
10. Mount Cordeaux Track: Mountain Views in Main Range National Park
You start from The Crest at Cunninghams Gap and climb beneath a dense rainforest canopy before the vegetation gradually shifts higher on the mountain. Grasstrees, banksias and giant spear lilies appear around the upper slopes, leading to a rocky lookout just below the summit. From there, you can look east towards Brisbane and south across the Gap to Mount Mitchell and other Scenic Rim peaks. In spring, giant spear lilies flower along the cliff face.
Which Brisbane Hike Suits Your Day?
A route that looks manageable on paper can feel quite different once heat, terrain and travel time enter the picture. Before choosing from the walks above, check a few practical factors that affect the whole day.
Route Planning Checklist
Available time: Include both walking time and travel from Brisbane when planning the day. Mt Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt fit shorter outings, and Daves Creek or Mount Cordeaux need considerably more time overall.
Physical demand: Look at terrain as well as distance. Stairs, sustained climbs, uneven surfaces and exposed rock can make a shorter route more demanding than a longer, gentler walk.
Group needs: Choose a route that suits the least experienced walker in the group. Dog access, children's experience and how much equipment you plan to carry can narrow the options further.
Choose a Walk for the Kind of Day You Want
Outing Goal | Recommended Walks | Why They Fit |
Quick city walk | Mt Coot-tha Summit Track; Mount Gravatt Summit Track | Both keep the outing close to Brisbane and finish with elevated city views. |
Longer bushwalk close to Brisbane | Buhot Creek Circuit; Araucaria Track | Choose Daisy Hill for a longer eucalypt-forest outing or Araucaria for bushland beside Enoggera Reservoir. |
Mountain scenery | Mount Ngungun Summit Walk; Mount Cordeaux Track | Ngungun gives you a shorter exposed summit experience, while Cordeaux adds rainforest and Main Range scenery. |
Rainforest and waterfalls | Kondalilla Falls Circuit; Witches Falls Circuit; Twin Falls Circuit | These walks take you into wetter hinterland landscapes, with different combinations of rainforest, gullies and waterfalls. |
A full hiking day | Daves Creek Circuit | The changing vegetation and open lookouts make it better suited to a day centred on hiking rather than a quick stop between other activities. |
What to Pack for a Brisbane Day Hike
A Brisbane day hike can range from a short city bushwalk to several hours in rainforest or mountain terrain. Start with essential hiking gear, including enough water, sun protection, suitable footwear and basic first aid. Add extra electronics only when the route, group or trip length gives them a clear purpose.
Essential Hiking Gear and Hydration
Water: Carry enough drinking water for the length and exposure of your walk. Brisbane’s heat and humidity can increase fluid needs, especially on exposed climbs and longer routes.
Sun protection: Pack a broad-brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Queensland UV levels can remain strong outside summer, so cooler temperatures do not remove the need for protection.
Footwear and clothing: Choose secure hiking shoes with good grip for stairs, loose surfaces and wet rock. A lightweight rain layer can help on wetter hinterland walks, and insect repellent is useful around rainforest, creeks and damp gullies.
First aid: Carry a compact first-aid kit with blister treatment, basic wound care, a snake-bite bandage and any personal medication you may need on the trail.
Portable Power for Outdoor Equipment
Most short Brisbane day walks only need a charged smartphone and a compact power bank. Once your trip involves several cameras, drone batteries, lighting or devices shared across a group, a portable power station can provide a more practical charging setup and keep multiple devices ready throughout the day. The right option also changes with how you use it, whether you carry it on the trail or leave it at the vehicle as a charging base.
For photographers and small groups carrying multiple rechargeable devices, the EcoFlow TRAIL Plus 300 DC Portable Power Station offers a lightweight, DC-focused option for phones, cameras and other outdoor electronics. Its portable design suits gear-heavy hiking days where several devices need charging away from the vehicle.
If your hike starts and ends at the vehicle, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station can act as a compact charging base for the rest of your gear. AC, USB and vehicle outputs support a wider mix of devices, and the expandable battery system adds extra runtime for overnight stays or longer outdoor trips.
Safety Tips Before You Hit the Trail
Park Alerts and Access: Check the latest Queensland Parks alerts or the relevant Brisbane City Council page before leaving. Planned burns, storm damage, maintenance and other changes can affect tracks, facilities or trailhead access.
Weather and Heat: Review the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast on the day of your hike. Heat and humidity add effort on exposed climbs, and recent rain can leave waterfall tracks, rock surfaces and creek crossings slippery.
Daylight and Turnaround Time: Set a turnaround time for longer walks and leave enough daylight for slower sections or unexpected delays. Carry a headlamp if the route could realistically run into the evening.
Offline Navigation and Trip Plan: Download the official map and save your trailhead location before entering larger parks with unreliable reception. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return on longer or more remote walks.
Trailhead Access and Parking: Check road access and parking before driving to popular trailheads. Arriving earlier can help on busy days, and gates, driveways and emergency access routes need to remain clear.
Conclusion
Hiking in Brisbane can mean a quick climb above the suburbs or a full day among rainforest, waterfalls and mountain lookouts. Use the route comparisons to match the walk to your available time and terrain preference, then check current conditions and access before leaving. Pack for the weather, give longer routes enough daylight and keep extra equipment proportionate to the trip.
FAQs
Is Mt Coot-tha a Hard Walk?
Not particularly for most walkers. The Summit Track is about 1.9 km each way. Much of the path is paved, although you will still come across stairs and uphill sections that add some effort to the climb. Most people with a reasonable fitness level should find it manageable. New to hiking? Allow a little extra time and take water, particularly on warmer days.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Hike in Brisbane?
Cooler months generally make longer Brisbane hikes more comfortable because daytime temperatures are milder. Summer walks call for earlier starts, more water and closer attention to storm forecasts. Check the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast and recent rainfall before settling on the route for the day.
Are There Dog-Friendly Hikes in Brisbane?
Yes. Several Brisbane City Council reserves have on-leash walking tracks, including Mt Coot-tha and Toohey Forest. The national park walks in this guide generally do not allow dogs, so check the relevant park or reserve rules before choosing your route.
Can I Go Hiking in Brisbane Without a Car?
Yes. Several Brisbane-side bushwalks have public transport options. Translink currently lists route 471 between the city and Mt Coot-tha Lookout, and route 385 serves Enoggera Reservoir and The Gap on operating days. Check the journey planner for the date you intend to hike, as service days and times vary. Springbrook, Lamington and Main Range are much harder to reach by public transport, so a car or organised tour is usually more practical.
What Are the Best Hikes in Brisbane?
Mt Coot-tha is a strong all-round choice for city views and easy access, while Mount Gravatt suits a shorter climb. For a longer bushwalk, Araucaria Track circles Enoggera Reservoir, and Buhot Creek Circuit offers a more substantial outing through eucalypt forest. The best pick comes down to how much time and climbing you want.
What Are Some Good 2-Day Hikes Near Brisbane?
Mount Barney National Park has several good overnight options for experienced hikers. Lower Portals is the more approachable choice, with a 3.7 km walk-in to a remote campsite beside Mount Barney Creek. Barney Gorge Junction is more demanding and better suited to self-sufficient bushwalkers comfortable with steep, rough terrain. Camping permits are required.