Best day hikes near Brisbane
If you're reading this post and looking for some of the best day hikes near Brisbane, you probably love to hike as much as I do. Here are three spectacular walking options – all within 150km of Brisbane and in national parks that are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. I'm not suggesting they're the only beautiful hikes close to Brissie (not at all!), but I've found their views and other highlights particularly inspirational. And while I've always encountered other people on them, these routes have never seemed crowded to me.
Before setting out, be sure to review descriptions of these walks and safety information on the respective national park websites to help you assess whether the hike is suitable for your fitness, ability, and comfort level.
Tooloona Creek circuit, Lamington National Park
Hike notes: 119km from Brisbane's CBD, moderate difficulty, 17.4km return, allow six hours
Sub-tropical rainforest, waterfalls, dramatic lookouts, ancient Antarctic beech trees, and the possibility of hearing songbirds such as the ground-dwelling Albert’s lyrebird are among the highlights of the Tooloona Creek circuit, which begins at the Green Mountains trailhead in Lamington National Park, on the western side of the Lamington Plateau.
After ambling a few kilometres along the Border Track (the backbone of the Lamington trail system), you’ll veer onto this circuit. Passing a number of waterfalls, you’ll walk up through Tooloona Gorge and re-join the Border Track near Wanungara lookout, which overlooks the Limpinwood Valley and Mt Warning. As you trek the final 7.6km to your starting point, you’ll reach Mount Bithongabel, home to some particularly lovely stands of Antarctic beech trees, which are similar to flowering plants that thrived 100 million years ago.
Antarctic beech trees in Lamington National Park
A video detailing this hike
Mount Maroon, Mount Barney National Park
Hike notes: 121km from Brisbane's CBD, difficult, allow six hours return
Mount Maroon, a result of a shield volcano that erupted 24 million years ago, is one of seven peaks in Mount Barney National Park.
Like other popular summit routes within the park, this isn’t a straightforward walking track and is unsuitable for children and anyone who can’t climb without assistance. In addition to a high level of fitness, this steep adventure requires an abundance of caution. Potential dangers include vertical cliff edges and a steep, rocky gorge with a high risk of rock fall. (You must ascend the gorge by rock scrambling.) Make sure you read the park’s safety information, including the part specifically for summit routes, and don’t go if storms, high winds, or wet weather are predicted, as the route is exposed and rocks will become very slippery when wet.
That said, the 360-degree views from Maroon’s 966m, bald southern summit – which include 1359m Mt Barney’s rugged twin peaks and tiered, wedding cake-shaped 1175m Mt Lindesey – are phenomenal and make the arduous climb well worth the effort. It’s a magnificent spot to cautiously linger for a snack or packed lunch and marvel about how fortunate we are to have such beauty here in Southeast Queensland.
Spectacular views from the summit of Mount Maroon
I’ve stood upon this summit twice – first as a guest on a bushwalking club outing and later with a few companions. The first time, we reached it without incident; however, the second time, we lost our way for a short spell on the way up, before the descent into the gorge, and had to backtrack to rejoin the path. Please be careful and make sure you stick to the route.
Warrie circuit, Springbrook National Park
Hike notes: 109km from Brisbane's CBD, moderate difficulty, 17km, allow 5-6 hours
Waterfalls are the star attraction along the Warrie (which means ‘rushing water’) circuit in Springbrook National Park. But please be cautious: in addition to waterfalls, this hike includes dangers such as sheer cliffs, slippery areas, and possible fallen trees and rock falls. Refrain from walking after heavy rain (creeks could be impassable), and mind children closely.
Start from either Canyon lookout or Tallanbana picnic area, following the base of the Canyon cliffs past a few waterfalls. Descending through rainforest, you’ll reach the Meeting of the Waters, a lovely spot for a picnic. When you're feeling energetic again, tackle the long ascent up the gorge's western side, past more fetching waterfalls, back to your starting point. When you've finished climbing, pause and admire the views, which extend over the rainforest and out to the ocean.
Hikers approach a waterfall on the Warrie Circuit
Wishing you a peaceful, inspiring, and safe hike!