Near Brisbane, there is a wide selection of trails under 5km. I selected five as I have hiked them several times. These trails are suitable for families, groups and people who would like training to do longer hikes or just enjoy a short walk.
Some fitness and some previous experience is required to enjoy the hikes. Hike with your family, friends or in a group. Never alone!
Hiking Gold Creek Reservoir with the Group Hiking South East Qld and More. Photo by Author.
Greenes Falls Track, Maiala
Walk through a luscious cool subtropical rainforest and strangler figs on a well-maintained track. You may be able to spot birds, pademelons and at the end of the trail, there is a small waterfall.
The walk is 4.3 km return, allow 2 hours walking time. The National Park classifies the trail Grade 3, this means the track is signposted, may have rough surfaces, steps and some short steep sections, some hiking experience required.
The starting point is the Maiala day use area, Mount Glorious QLD 4520. It is also a great spot to have a picnic after returning from a walk.
Maiala day use area has picnic tables, some sheltered, electric/fuel barbecue, free of charge and toilets.
Maiala was the first area on the D'Aguilar Range to become a national park.
Directions: the trailhead is at Maiala day-use area on the eastern side of Mount Glorious Road, Mount Glorious Rd, QLD 4520.
The trail is well signposted. Photo by Author.
There are many strangler figs in the forest. Photo by Author.
An aspect of the trail. Photo by Author.
Greenes Falls is rain dependent. Photo by Author.
For refreshments, Elm House Cafe is just 350m up Mount Glorious Rd (Crn Browns Road and Mount Glorious Road, Mount Glorious QLD 4520).
Or you can drive 500m down Mount Glorious Rd to Mount glorious Cafe (1850 Mount Glorious Rd, Mount Glorious QLD 4520).
Elm House Cafe. Photo by Author.
Cypress Grove Circuit, Maiala
Cypress Grove Circuit also starts at Maiala day use area, Mount Glorious QLD 4520.
Walk through the forest with native cypress pines. If you walk quietly, you may be able to spot birds on the trail.
The trail is 2.5 km return, allow 1.5 hours walking time. The National Park classifies the trail Grade 3, this means the track is signposted, may have rough surfaces, steps and some short steep sections, some hiking experience required.
Directions: the walk trailhead is at Maiala day-use area on the eastern side of Mount Glorious Road, Mount Glorious Rd, QLD 4520
The junction on the trail is signposted. Photo by Author.
Having a break on the trail. Photo by Author.
Aspect of the trail. Photo by Author.
It is easy to find fungi in the undergrowth of the forest where it is moist. Photo by Author.
For refreshments, Mount Glorious Cafe has a different assortment of foods and drinks (1850 Mount Glorious Rd, Mount Glorious QLD 4520).
Lemon cakes made at Mount Glorious Cafe. Photo fromhttps://www.facebook.com/mountgloriouscafe/photos/1719671084885873
Pitta Circuit, Boombana
Walk on the trail passing through an eucalypt forest and through palms, ferns and vines. Stop to admire the giant 300-year-old strangler fig and enjoy bird watching. It is easy to spot red necked pademelons.
The walk is 1 km circuit, allow 30min walking time. The National Park classifies the trail Grade 3, this means the track is signposted, may have rough surfaces, steps and some short steep sections, some hiking experience required.
In summer, witness lacebark trees bursting with beautiful pink-hued flowers, giving the area its name, meaning 'trees in bloom'.
The starting point is at Boombana day-use area car park.
Take a detour off the boardwalk, along a 600m side-track through dry rainforest, to Mount Nebo village and discover local produce, cafes and art.
Directions: the trailhead is at Boombana day use area, Mount Nebo Rd, Mount Nebo QLD 4520.
A red necked pademelon in the bush. Photo by Author.
Amazing trees protected in the National Park. Photo by Author.
300 year old strangler fig. The tree provides shelter and food for animals and seeds for the growth of other strangler figs. Photo by Author.
The trail running parallel to Mount Nebo Rd takes you into Mount Nebo Village. Photo by Author.
For your cup of coffee or something more filling just walk up to Cafe in the Mountain in Mount Nebo Village (1863 Mount Nebo Rd, Mount Nebo QLD 4520).
Cafe in the Mountain veranda. Photo by Author.
The pleasant trail circumnavigates Gold Creek Reservoir. Follow the trail clockwise, around the water reservoir.
The trail is about 5.1km long, allow 3 hours walking time. The trail offers some challenges due to some steep sections, some with loose soil and rocks. The walk requires some hiking experience and some fitness to enjoy the walk. The trail is narrow and sometimes not well marked.
The trailhead is located at the carpark at the end of the Gold Creek Rd.
The track runs under the canopy of the bush and towards the end, there are a few lookouts overlooking the dam. The trail exits at the dam spillway, which after heavy rains, has water rushing down the huge steps.
Your walk is accompanied all along by the singing of the bellbirds.
Directions: drive to the end of Gold Creek Rd, Brookfield QLD 4069. There is an ample carpark; there are no toilet facilities.
Aspect of the trail. Photo by Author.
Spillway. Photo by Author.
Gold Creek Reservoir from the lookout. Photo by Author.
Starting of the trail up the hill. Photo by Author.
For drinks and food, head to Brookfield General Store at Brookfield Village.
Brookfield General Store has a variety of snacks and hot food. Photo by Author.
Walk through giant hoop pines and watch lots of wildlife, including turtles, goannas and birds.
The trail is 5 km long, allow 2 hours waling time; the National Park classifies the trail Grade 3, meaning the track is signposted, may have rough surfaces, steps and some short steep sections, some hiking experience required.
The trailhead is at the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre, along Enoggera Reservoir.
There are lots of birds, in particular, look out for the holes along the trails that are the nests of the pardalotes.
Directions: 60 Mount Nebo Rd, Enoggera Reservoir QLD 4520
It is easy to see turtles at Enoggera Reservoirs. Photo by Author.
Goanna on the prowl. Photo by Author.
Flowers along the trail. Photo by Author.
The trail is well signposted. Photo by Author.
For refreshments, head to the Walkabout Discovery Centre. The Walkabout Cafe has a selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks and lunches (60 Mount Nebo Rd, Enoggera Reservoir QLD 4520).
Walkabout Cafe....with wildlife. Photo by Author.
Enoggera Dam offers also the opportunity for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking.
You can have a swim in the Enoggera Dam, paddle boarding or kayaking. Photo by Author.
The Rangers welcome you to the Walkabout Centre, which has a visitor information centre with maps and information about the park. There is also a gift shop with lots of inspired by nature items.
If you would like to watch some wildlife and learn about it, pre-book online your admission to the Wildlife Centre. There are many incredible facts about reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and mammals.
The Wildlife Centre aims to give to the public a better understanding of the important role Queensland's national parks plays in conservation and protection of our unique flora and fauna, and ways you can help.
The Wildlife Centre is open from 9.00am to 4.00pm, seven days a week, with the exception of Christmas Day. The centre is open from 1.30pm on Anzac Day.
The platypus is one of the animals you can encounter at the Wildlife Centre. Photo fromhttps://www.mappingmegan.com/places-to-visit-in-brisbane-like-a-local/
Bring a medium day backpack with 1.5 litres of water and snacks. Long sleeves and long trousers are preferable. Wear hiking boots or hiking shoes. Put in your backpack a first aid kit, enough water, snacks; insect repellent in form of cream; please avoid the spray, since the aerosol created during the spray is going to spread in the environment.
Bushman cream insect repellent is water-resistant and it is very efficient in fending off sandflies, mosquitoes, ticks, leeches and march flies.
Prior the walk make sure to check the park alerts and the weather forecast.
Bring with you a map or a good tracker, or take a photo of the maps on the information boards.
More articles by the Author:
www.weekendnotes.com/hiking-gold-creek-reservoir/191314
www.weekendnotes.com/greenes-falls-circuit-mount-glorious/191522
www.weekendnotes.com/thylogale-track
References:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/greenes-falls-track
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/cypress-grove-circuit
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/attractions/boombana
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/queensland/gold-creek-reservoir
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/pitta-circuit
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/journeys/araucaria-track
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/walkabout-creek-discovery-centre
