Barry PhilipsBrisbane is often celebrated for its sunny weather, riverfront attractions, vibrant neighbourhoods and relaxed outdoor lifestyle. But beyond the city centre is an impressive network of forests, reserves, mountains and bushland that makes the Queensland capital an excellent destination for hiking.
Whether you are looking for a short nature walk, a challenging uphill adventure, a family-friendly trail or a hike with spectacular city views, there are plenty of options to choose from. Brisbane City Council itself highlights Mt Coot-tha, Toohey Forest, Milne Reserve and other natural areas among the city’s major walking and hiking destinations.
From the popular trails of Mount Coot-tha to the peaceful forests of Daisy Hill and the spectacular mountain scenery around the wider Brisbane region, these are some of the best hiking trails in Brisbane and nearby areas to put on your outdoor adventure list.
Top Hiking Trails In Brisbane
1. Mount Coot-tha Summit Track
If you are searching for one of the best hiking trails in Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha should be near the top of your list.
Located only a short distance from Brisbane’s central areas, Mount Coot-tha provides a combination of accessibility, exercise, bushland and spectacular views. The reserve contains more than 70 tracks and trails, making it possible to create walks ranging from relatively easy outings to more demanding hikes.
The Summit Track is particularly popular with people who want to combine a workout with a rewarding destination. As you climb, the surrounding vegetation creates a feeling of being away from the city even though Brisbane’s urban landscape is nearby.
At the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views across Brisbane and the surrounding region.
Mount Coot-tha is also a good choice for visitors who want flexibility. Instead of committing to one long trail, you can choose from several routes and adjust your walk according to your fitness level and available time.
Best for: City views, beginners, fitness hiking and first-time visitors.
2. Simpson Falls and Mount Coot-tha Trails
Another excellent hiking option within Mount Coot-tha Reserve is the Simpson Falls area.
The surrounding trails allow hikers to experience a different side of the mountain, with forest scenery and seasonal waterfall views. Brisbane City Council specifically identifies Simpson Falls as one of the attractions worth exploring within the reserve.
The area is particularly appealing if you want a nature-focused experience rather than simply walking to a lookout.
The combination of forest, rocky sections, vegetation and flowing water after suitable rainfall can make this area especially scenic.
Because Mount Coot-tha contains such a large network of tracks, you can also combine sections of the reserve to create a longer hiking adventure.
Best for: Nature lovers, waterfall scenery and combining multiple trails.
3. Toohey Forest
Toohey Forest is one of the most accessible places to experience bushwalking without travelling far from central Brisbane.
Located around Nathan and Mount Gravatt, the forest contains an extensive network of walking tracks. Brisbane City Council notes that Toohey Forest Park and Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve have more than 30 walking tracks between them.
The landscape includes eucalyptus forest and native vegetation, while the reserve provides opportunities to see local wildlife and plants.
One of the biggest advantages of Toohey Forest is its flexibility. You can choose a relatively short walk or connect trails for a longer outing.
The forest is also convenient for people living or staying on Brisbane’s south side.
Best for: Beginners, regular walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and southside residents.
4. Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve
For hikers who want a relatively short adventure with a great payoff, Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve is an excellent choice.
The reserve sits alongside Toohey Forest and provides access to elevated areas where you can enjoy views across Brisbane.
The combination of forest trails and lookout points makes Mount Gravatt particularly attractive for people who want exercise without spending an entire day on the trail.
Some routes are short enough to fit into a busy schedule, while connecting with Toohey Forest can turn the outing into a more substantial bushwalk.
Brisbane City Council includes Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve among its major southside hiking destinations.
Best for: Scenic views, short hikes and combining hiking with sightseeing.
5. Daisy Hill Conservation Park
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is another excellent destination for hiking near Brisbane.
The park provides opportunities to explore tall eucalyptus forests, melaleuca wetlands and areas around Buhot Creek. It also forms part of the wider Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area.
One of the attractions of Daisy Hill is that it offers both accessible walking and more adventurous trail options.
The Paperbark Trail, for example, is a short boardwalk designed to provide easy access through wetland vegetation. It is suitable for wheelchairs and families with strollers.
For hikers seeking a longer experience, management roads and shared trails provide additional opportunities to explore the conservation area.
Daisy Hill is also well known for its natural environment and wildlife.
Best for: Families, wildlife viewing, nature photography and relaxed bushwalking.
6. Buhot Creek Circuit
For a more traditional bushwalking experience at Daisy Hill, the Buhot Creek area is worth considering.
The trails around Buhot Creek provide a combination of forest scenery, creek-side environments and natural landscapes. Rather than being primarily about reaching a major lookout, the experience is about immersing yourself in Brisbane’s bushland.
This makes it a particularly good choice for hikers who prefer quiet trails and natural surroundings.
The Daisy Hill area has designated walking tracks as well as shared trails and management roads, giving walkers considerable flexibility.
Best for: Bushwalking, forest scenery and hikers looking for a quieter experience.
7. Karawatha Forest
Karawatha Forest is another popular outdoor destination in Brisbane’s south.
The large natural area offers opportunities for bushwalking, wildlife observation and enjoying native vegetation. Compared with some of Brisbane’s steeper mountain trails, many walks in the area provide a more relaxed hiking experience.
Karawatha is particularly appealing to people who want to spend a few hours outdoors without necessarily tackling a major climb.
It is also a useful option for families and casual hikers who want to introduce themselves to Brisbane’s bushwalking scene.
Best for: Casual hiking, families, nature lovers and wildlife spotting.
8. White Hill Reserve
White Hill Reserve is a good option for hikers who prefer a less intimidating bushwalking environment.
The reserve contains forested trails and undulating terrain, providing enough elevation to make the walk feel like exercise without necessarily requiring the intensity of a major mountain hike.
Its location also makes it useful for Brisbane residents looking for a quick outdoor escape.
For beginners who are gradually building their fitness, reserves such as White Hill can be a useful stepping stone before attempting longer or steeper hiking routes.
Best for: Beginners, fitness walking and shorter bushwalks.
9. Milne Hill Reserve
Located in Chermside West, Milne Hill Reserve offers another opportunity to experience native Brisbane bushland.
The Pomax Track takes walkers through open forest toward a lookout and viewing deck. Brisbane City Council notes that visitors may encounter wildlife such as tawny frogmouths and wallabies, along with native vegetation including banksias and native iris.
The reserve is particularly attractive for people on Brisbane’s north side who want a nature walk without travelling deep into the surrounding mountain regions.
The trail can also be extended into connected natural areas within the Chermside Hills Reserves.
Best for: Northside hikers, wildlife enthusiasts and short nature walks.
10. Enoggera Reservoir and Surrounding Trails
Enoggera Reservoir is another popular outdoor destination on Brisbane’s western side.
The surrounding landscape combines water, forest and walking trails, making it an attractive location for people who want more than a simple urban park walk.
The area can be particularly enjoyable when you want to spend several hours outdoors, combining hiking with a picnic or relaxing beside the reservoir.
Because conditions can change after rain, hikers should check local trail information before setting out, particularly if planning to explore less-used tracks.
Best for: Families, nature lovers, picnics and relaxed hiking.
11. Purling Brook Falls Circuit
If you are willing to travel beyond Brisbane for a more spectacular hiking experience, Springbrook National Park is well worth considering.
The Purling Brook Falls Circuit is a 4-kilometre return Grade 3 trail. The walk combines rainforest scenery with views of the waterfall and surrounding landscape. Queensland Parks lists it alongside several other hiking routes within Springbrook National Park.
Springbrook provides a substantially different environment from Brisbane’s urban bushland. Instead of primarily walking through dry eucalyptus forests, hikers can experience lush subtropical rainforest and dramatic mountain scenery.
The park has trails ranging from very short lookout walks to challenging full-day adventures.
Best for: Waterfalls, rainforest, photography and weekend hiking trips.
12. Twin Falls Circuit, Springbrook
Another outstanding option in Springbrook National Park is the Twin Falls Circuit.
The circuit is approximately 4 kilometres return and classified as Grade 3.
The walk is particularly appealing to hikers who enjoy combining exercise with waterfalls and rainforest scenery.
For visitors exploring the Brisbane region, Springbrook makes an excellent day-trip hiking destination. It is especially suitable for people who have already explored Brisbane’s urban reserves and want a more dramatic natural landscape.
If you are looking for something more demanding, the park also offers the 14-kilometre Grade 4 Warrie Circuit.
Best for: Experienced hikers, rainforest lovers and waterfall enthusiasts.
Other Great Hiking Options Near Brisbane
Brisbane’s surrounding region provides even more choices for hikers willing to drive beyond the city.
The Glass House Mountains are particularly notable. The national park has several walking tracks, including Mount Ngungun Summit Walk, Mount Beerburrum Summit Walk, Tibrogargan Circuit and the Beerburrum-to-Tibrogargan trail.
The Beerburrum Trailhead to Tibrogargan Trailhead is a 5.4-kilometre Grade 3 route, with walkers generally allowing two to three hours.
Mount Beerburrum provides another challenge, with a steep 750-metre concrete section. Queensland Parks recommends ankle-supporting footwear with good grip and notes that reasonable fitness is required.
For serious hikers, the wider Brisbane region therefore provides opportunities ranging from short city bushwalks to demanding mountain adventures.
Best Time to Go Hiking in Brisbane
Brisbane’s subtropical climate means hiking is possible throughout much of the year, but conditions can vary considerably.
Early mornings are often particularly pleasant for hiking, especially during warmer months. Starting early can help you avoid the strongest heat of the day.
Winter can also be an excellent season for hiking because temperatures are generally more comfortable for physical activity.
Regardless of the season, hikers should check weather and track conditions before leaving. Heavy rain can affect creek crossings, waterfalls and unsealed trails.
It is also sensible to carry enough drinking water, wear appropriate footwear, use sun protection and allow sufficient time to complete your chosen route.
What to Take on a Brisbane Hike
Even relatively short trails deserve basic preparation.
Your hiking essentials should include:
- Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip
- Drinking water
- Sunscreen
- Hat and sunglasses
- Lightweight snacks
- Fully charged mobile phone
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Insect repellent
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Offline trail information or a map
- A small backpack
For longer or more remote hikes, add additional food, water and navigation equipment.
Always stay on marked trails where required and pay attention to signs and track conditions.
Choosing the Best Brisbane Hiking Trail for You
The best hiking trail depends on what you want from the experience.
If your priority is city views, Mount Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt are excellent choices.
If you want forest and wildlife, consider Toohey Forest, Daisy Hill or Milne Hill Reserve.
For waterfalls and rainforest, Springbrook National Park provides some of the most impressive options within reach of Brisbane.
For mountain scenery and a greater physical challenge, the Glass House Mountains are hard to overlook.
Beginners should start with shorter and less technical routes before progressing to longer or steeper hikes. Experienced hikers can explore longer circuits and combine several tracks for a full-day adventure.
Comparison Table: Best Hiking Trails in Brisbane
| Hiking Trail | Approx. Distance/Scale | Difficulty | Best For | Main Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Coot-tha Summit | Varies by route | Easy–Moderate | Beginners & visitors | Brisbane city views |
| Simpson Falls | Varies by route | Easy–Moderate | Nature lovers | Forest & waterfall |
| Toohey Forest | Multiple trails | Easy–Moderate | Bushwalking | Native forest |
| Mount Gravatt Outlook | Multiple short trails | Easy–Moderate | Scenic walks | City views |
| Daisy Hill Conservation Park | Multiple trails | Easy–Moderate | Families & wildlife | Eucalyptus forest |
| Buhot Creek | Multiple trails | Moderate | Bushwalkers | Creek & forest |
| Karawatha Forest | Multiple trails | Easy–Moderate | Casual hikers | Native bushland |
| White Hill Reserve | Multiple trails | Easy–Moderate | Beginners | Forest & hills |
| Milne Hill Reserve | Short trail network | Easy | Families & northside hikers | Lookout & wildlife |
| Enoggera Reservoir | Multiple trails | Easy–Moderate | Families & nature lovers | Reservoir & forest |
| Purling Brook Falls | 4 km return | Grade 3 | Waterfall lovers | Rainforest & falls |
| Twin Falls Circuit | 4 km return | Grade 3 | Experienced walkers | Rainforest & waterfalls |
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Conclusion
Brisbane is an excellent destination for hikers because you do not have to travel far from the city to find beautiful natural environments.
For a first Brisbane hiking adventure, Mount Coot-tha is arguably the easiest place to start because of its extensive trail network, accessibility and panoramic views. Toohey Forest and Mount Gravatt are excellent alternatives, particularly for people on the south side of the city.
Daisy Hill, Karawatha and Milne Hill provide additional opportunities to explore Brisbane’s native bushland, while Enoggera Reservoir offers a scenic combination of water and forest.
If you are prepared to travel further, Springbrook National Park and the Glass House Mountains take the experience to another level, offering waterfalls, rainforest, steep climbs and dramatic mountain scenery.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced bushwalker, the best hiking trails in Brisbane offer something for almost every fitness level and outdoor interest. The key is to choose a trail that matches your ability, prepare properly and give yourself enough time to enjoy the natural scenery along the way.