There are many forests and reserves scattered around Brisbane, offering a range of activities.  From walking, mountain bike riding, birdwatching, fields and playgrounds for the children, education centres and some guided tours, this natural environment can be enjoyed by anyone and mostly certainly should be on your agenda if you’re holidaying in Brisbane.  Most of these forests are within a 30 minute drive of the city centre and therefore make a great day trip, so Brisbane residents can enjoy the local flora and fauna on offer at any time also.

Here are some of the most popular reserves and forests around Brisbane:

Brisbane Forest Park at The Gap offers more than 30kms of walking tracks, 60 kms of tourist roads and 14 separate recereation areas, meaning you won’t always have to share your picnic spot with other people.

Banks Street Reserve on Banks Street, Alderley offers walking tracks, sports fields and playgrounds for the children.

Chermside Hills Reserve can be found at Raven Street and Rode Road, McDowall, and offers well marked trails for walking, the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, educational centre and barbeque areas so you can enjoy your lunch while you view some of the wonderful wildlife that inhabits this reserve. Environmental activities and events are often hosted by the Chermside Hills Reserve.

Toohey Forest on Toohey Road, Tarragindi is only 10 kilometres south of Brisbane.  Toohey Forest and reserve offers extensive walking tracks through open forest and you can take in the fabulous 360 degree views of Brisbane from Mt Gravatt lookout.

Karawatha Forest on Acacia Road, Karawatha offers 9 kilometres of walking tracks ranging in length (from 1km to 2.5km), and a number of threatened and endangered species inhabit this forest.

Brisbane Koala Bushland at Alperton Park, Burbank is a great place to take a family friendly walk, along a trail which is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and see many koalas in the wild, as this bushland is home to around 5,000 koalas.

Hemmant Quarry Reserve on Fleming Road, Hemmant is a 24 hectare reserve that boasts beautiful picnic facilities and a number of walking tracks.

Seven Hills Reserve on Latina Avenue, Seven Hills offers a number of good walking tracks through 51 hectares of open eucalyptus forest.

White Hills Reserve on Boundary Road, Camp Hill offers 171 hectares of walking tracks, lookouts, footbridges, playgrounds and picnic areas…a perfect spot to take the family for a relaxing and affordable day out.

Anstead Bushland on Hawkesbury Road, Anstead is 80 hecatres of beautiful bushland.

Mt Coot-tha Forest off Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Mt Coot-tha is 15 minutes from the centre of Brisbane, and offers walking and bike tracks, barbeque and picnic areas, a cafe and restaurant.  From the Mt Coot-tha lookout, take in the fabulous views of Brisbane City and beyond.  At around 15,000 hectares of open eucalyptus forest, Mt Coot-tha Forest is one of Brisbane’s largest natural areas.

Please note all of these forests and reserves are Brisbane City Council parkland or bushland, where camping is prohibited, so if it’s a great bushland camping spot you’re after, please call the Environmental Protection Agency or visit their website, www.epa.qld.gov.au

For more information on forests and reserves in and around Brisbane, please visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or phone Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.