National Parks Near Brisbane 2026: Hiking & Day Trips

Brisbane National Parks 2026 — Overview

Brisbane is flanked by beautiful national parks — the D'Aguilar Range immediately to the north-west, the Gold Coast hinterland's Lamington and Springbrook to the south, and the Sunshine Coast's Noosa and Mapleton National Parks to the north. Here's a guide to the best national parks and nature near Brisbane.

D'Aguilar National Park (30 minutes north-west)

• Highlights — Brisbane Forest Park, Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens (free, adjacent to the city), Lake Enoggera, the Maiala, Manorina and Boombana sections of D'Aguilar Range. Good koala habitat at Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre (The Gap).
• Best walks — Mount Coot-tha Summit (easy 3.4km return), Lake Enoggera Circuit (8km), Border Track (D'Aguilar, 10km).

Lamington National Park (90 minutes south)

• Highlights — World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforest in the Gold Coast hinterland. The Binna Burra and Green Mountains (O'Reilly's) sections. Spectacular waterfalls, ancient Antarctic beech forest, extraordinary birdlife (regent bowerbirds, paradise riflebirds, Lamington blue crayfish). Tree Top Walk at O'Reilly's. One of Australia's great rainforest experiences. oreillys.com.au

Springbrook National Park (90 minutes south)

• Highlights — Natural Bridge (waterfall through rock arch with glowworm cave, free entry), Best of All Lookout, Purling Brook Falls. The Natural Bridge is one of South East Queensland's most magical natural sites.

Main Range National Park (90 minutes south-west)

• Highlights — Cunningham's Gap and Spicer's Gap. Spectacular rainforest and cliff scenery on the Main Range of the Great Dividing Range. The Rainforest Circuit (2km) and Governor's Chair Lookout are the highlights.

Noosa National Park (90 minutes north)

• Highlights — Coastal and heath national park adjacent to Noosa Heads. Spectacular clifftop coastal walk (3.5km from Noosa Main Beach to Alexandria Bay), resident koalas at the Tea Tree Bay section, wild dolphins in the Noosa River. Free entry.

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