Best Outdoor Activities in Brisbane

Brisbane's outdoor lifestyle benefits from its subtropical climate year-round and its position between the Glass House Mountains to the north, Moreton Bay to the east, and the Scenic Rim ranges to the south-west. Within 90 minutes of the CBD, Brisbane residents can access island beaches, world-class hiking, and hinterland rainforest that most Australian cities cannot approach.

Mount Coot-tha — Brisbane's most accessible outdoor escape, Mount Coot-tha sits 7km from the CBD and provides walking trails through dry eucalypt bushland, a summit lookout with 270-degree views over the city and Moreton Bay, and the J.C. Slaughter Falls picnic area. The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (5km loop) is the mountain's most popular trail.

Moreton Island — the third-largest sand island in the world, accessible by ferry from Holt Street Wharf (75 minutes), provides beach camping, the 4WD track network, and the Tangalooma Wrecks snorkelling site. The island's eastern ocean beaches are among the most pristine within day-trip range of any Australian capital city.

Glass House Mountains — the volcanic plugs of the Glass House Mountains (90 minutes north of Brisbane) provide climbing and walking in an extraordinary landscape. Mount Beerwah (the highest at 556m) and Mount Ngungun (lower, easier access) provide the best walking routes within the national park.

Scenic Rim — the Main Range National Park, Lamington National Park (O'Reilly's), and Springbrook National Park form the Scenic Rim to Brisbane's south-west, providing subtropical rainforest, glow-worm caves, and waterfalls accessible within 90 minutes of the CBD. O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat is the iconic accommodation option for extended stays.

Kayaking at Wynnum — the Wynnum-Manly foreshore provides calm Moreton Bay water for kayaking, with hire available locally and routes through the mangrove waterways of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

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