The Best Trails For Hiking In Brisbane

Get those legs moving all while exploring more of Queensland’s natural beauty.

Brisbane is full of incredible restaurants, a bustling cafe scene and ample things to do, but sometimes a break from the chaos of city life is needed and your body craves an escape to nature. And what better way to do that than hiking in and around Brisbane?

Well, put those walking shoes on because we’ve found all the best hikes near Brisbane for any skill level.

1. Summit Track, Mt Coot-tha

People standing at Mount Coot-tha Lookout at sunset hike in Brisbane — With views that go on for days, this walk is well worth it. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Friends, lovers, families, dogs – everyone in Brissie knows this iconic peak for its cracking views of the city.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout has sweeping views of Brisbane City, Moreton Bay, and around to the Tweed Volcano, Main Range and Mount Barney and Flinders Peak.

This track leads from the JC Slaughter Falls picnic area to the lookout and is just a 15-minute drive from the CBD.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
Terrain: Hilly.
Distance: 1.9 kilometres one way.
What to bring: Water, camera, sun protection.

2. North Gorge Walk, North Stradbroke Island

Kangaroo on North Gorge Walk — You’ll spot some wildlife on land. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

One of the must-dos on North Stradbroke Island, the North Gorge Walk follows the headland of Point Lookout all while showing off breathtaking ocean views.

If you do it between June and November, you might even get to see migrating humpback whales, as the Gorge Walk is the best vantage point.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
Terrain: Boardwalk.
Distance: 1.2 kilometres.
What to bring: Water, camera, sun protection.

3. Natural Bridge circuit, Springbrook National Park

Waterfall coming from natural bridge above in Springbrook National Park — Glow worms and a waterfall? Yes, please. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Natural Bridge circuit walk is a sealed circuit track that takes you through the forest, across Cave Creek and into the arched cave to witness the waterfall plunging from above.

Not only that, but at night you’ll be blessed with the tiny green lights of thousands of nocturnal glow worms! Glow worms are visible year-round; however, their display is significantly reduced during the winter months.

Be careful walking at night and make sure you bring sufficient lighting. There are also some restricted access areas to keep in mind when planning your hike.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
Terrain: Asphalt track, but due to long sets of stairs, it is easier to walk this track in a clockwise direction.
Distance: One kilometre.
What to bring: Mosquito repellent, drinking water, torch.

4. Tamborine Mountain

Woman standing in front of Curtis Falls — Stop at the beautiful Curtis Falls on your way. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Walking tracks are provided in six sections of Tamborine National Park . Most of them are short and relatively easy, although some have short, steep sections.

The hiking trails range from grade 1 to grade 4, so you can choose the track you want to take based on your fitness capabilities.

Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
Terrain: Some steep sections.
Distance: Ranging from 400 metres to 4.8 kilometres.
What to bring: Water, sun protection.

5. Northbrook Gorges, D’Aguilar National Park

Ferns in Northbrook Gorges near Brisbane — This hike is suited for more experienced hikers. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Bring your swimmers for this next hike! You’ll have to swim through two freshwater gorges as part of this trail.

You’ll come across rock pools along the journey, with the longest measuring about 15 to 20 metres.

But the highlight of the Northbrook Gorges hike is the large, almost crystal clear, rock swimming pool, complete with a short waterfall, found in the second gorge.

The majority of the hike will take you over rocks, boulders, and rough and slippery terrain, making it best suited for fit and experienced hikers.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Terrain: Wet!
Distance: Six kilometres.
What to bring: Swimmers, drinking water, sun protection.

6. Kondalilla Falls circuit

Bottom of Kondalilla Falls hike near Brisbane — Take a dip at Kondalilla Falls on your hike. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Located on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the Kondalilla Falls circuit is a stunning hike surrounded by lush rainforest.

You’ll follow the Picnic Creek circuit down the escarpment, go past rock pools and a lookout with views of Kondalilla Falls, all the way down to the base of the waterfall and continue back up the ridge.

But bear in mind there are over 300 stairs on the Kondalilla Falls circuit, so you need to be reasonably fit. Always come prepared , and allow enough time to finish your walk in daylight hours.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Terrain: Stairs.
Distance: 4.7 kilometres.
What to bring: Water, sun protection, camera, swimmers.

7. Araucaria track, D’Aguilar National Park

Turtle sitting on log at Araucaria track near Brisbane — Spot turtles, among other wildlife. (Image: Matthew Taylor/Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Araucaria track is a delightful trail that meanders through open eucalypt forest, winding along the forested shores of picturesque Enoggera Reservoir, before looping back around one of the reservoir’s peninsulas.

Head out early because the trail gets quite busy later in the day, and keep an eye out for brown snakes, and dress accordingly – long pants, good shoes, etc.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Terrain: Hilly.
Distance: Five kilometres.
What to bring: Swimmers, drinking water, sun protection, camera, binoculars.

8. Mount Ngungun, Glass House Mountains

Standing at the top of Mount Ngungun at sunrise near Brisbane after hike — The views from the top of Mount Ngungun are well worth the tough hike. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you prefer your hikes a little more rugged, up the ante at Mount Ngungun .

Located in the iconic Glass House Mountains, this short trail begins in an open forest and has some unbelievable views of Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah from the summit.

You should be moderately fit to do this grade 4 hike, and it passes close to cliff edges so be careful.

Difficulty: Moderate-hard.
Terrain: Steep.
Distance: 2.8 kilometres.
What to bring: Water, sun protection, supportive shoes.

9. Mount Maroon

Man standing at the top of Mount Maroon after doing hike — You’ll be feeling Mount Maroon in your legs. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Mount Maroon is a great warm-up climb if you’ve ever wanted to tackle the neighbouring Mount Barney.

It’s steep from the get-go, and the hike will test those leg muscles on a number of occasions. But even though it’s an intense track, the views are well worth it. But only if you are an experienced hiker.

Offline navigation is strongly recommended for this one. And as always, let someone know where you are and when you plan to finish the hike.

Difficulty: Moderate-hard.
Terrain: Steep.
Distance: Six kilometres.
What to bring: Lots of drinking water, sun protection and a personal locator beacon (PLB) is recommended.

10. Mount Barney

Two men at the top of Mount Barney after hike in Brisbane — Mount Barney is not for the faint-hearted. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The mother of all Brisbane hikes really takes it up a notch at Mount Barney – South East Queensland’s second-highest peak.

There are four walking tracks at Mount Barney, all classified as grade 4, but varying in length. Yellow Pinch, Lower Portals, Cronan Creek and Upper Portals.

Remember to stay safe at all times , only choose activities that suit the skills, experience and fitness of your group, never walk alone and make sure someone knows where you are, and what time you plan to finish hiking the trail.

Difficulty: Moderate-hard.
Terrain: Rugged.
Distance: Two kilometres return (Yellow Pinch), 7.4 kilometres return (Lower Portals), eight kilometres return (Upper Portals) and 12 kilometres return (Cronan Creek Falls).
What to bring: Lots of water, chemical tablets to treat water, a raincoat, a PLB is recommended, bushwalking equipment and all your sun protection goodies.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

10 best trails for hiking in Brisbane (no matter your skill level)