If you’re looking for a family school holiday activity why not lace up your sneakers and hit one of Brisbane’s local conservation areas to explore, bike and hike.

Getting outside in nature is one of the best experiences for any family to enjoy and is a great excuse for kids to unplug and have an adventure. We guarantee they’ll have so much fun exploring they won’t even realise they are getting a workout in!

Any season is a good season to hike but don’t forget to pack your hat and sunscreen this summer.

 

Mt Coot-tha Summit Track

Founded in 1970, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is now recognised as Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens. Mt Coot-tha Forest is Brisbane’s largest conservation reserve with more than 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest.

Starting from the gardens, you can walk the 1.9km Summit Track in just 30 minutes. While there are a number of trails, this one leads from JC Slaughter Falls picnic area to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the city, Moreton Bay and the Stradbroke Islands.

There is even a well-shaded Children’s Hide ‘n’ Seek Trail through the Botanical Gardens for the younger ones with 17 marked objects featuring various creatures and plant life.

One of the best parts about Mt Coot-tha is that it’s only 15 minutes drive from Brisbane city center! You’ll find entry to the carpark from Mt Coot-tha road with free parking available.

 

Daisy Hill Conservation Park

Daisy Hill Conservation Park is part of the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA) which protects important koala habitats. As such, the park is home to a community of approximately 130 koalas!

The park has a number of walking and mountain biking trails that range from 800m to 9km, including the more challenging Buhot Creek Circuit which is great for older kids. Car Park One in the Daisy Hill day use area has parking for people with wheelchairs and strollers which leads to the suitably paved 450m Paperbark Trail. Don’t forget to look out for koalas as you go, you might even be lucky enough to spot red-necked wallabies.

While you’re there, you can visit the free Daisy Hill Koala Centre for tree top views, interactive displays, educational talks by Wildlife Officers and to meet the resident koalas.

If you’re travelling south along the Pacific Motorway from Brisbane to get there, take exit 23 toward Chatswood Road then follow the signs to Daisy Hill road which enters the Daisy Hill Conservation Park.

 

Boondall Wetlands Trails

Boondall Wetlands is part of a chain of wetlands that are essential to international migratory shorebirds that visit between September and March each year. While visiting the area you’ll also be able to see a diverse range of wildlife including flying foxes, frogs, reptiles, butterflies and over 190 species of native birds.

There are several short walks and cycling trails however the Nurri Millen Totem Trail is great for kids to follow to discover the wildlife, plants and cultural significance of the wetlands.

In 1996, Indigenous artist, Ron Hurley, worked with six local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to study and research the Indigenous culture of the Boondall Wetlands. Together, they developed a series of 18 contemporary cast aluminum totems symbolising the culture through food, plants and camp life.

You can also visit the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre to view environmental and cultural displays, discover facts about the wetlands and learn about preserving natural areas.

 

If you’ve already ticked these hikes off your list, check out Must Do Brisbane, Mums Of Brisbane and Visit Brisbane for more!