The best national parks and hikes near Brisbane

Brisbane’s warm climate makes it a great spot to visit any time of the year. While there’s plenty to see and do in the thriving metropolis, some of the best activities can be found just outside of the city.

Sunny southern Queensland is home to a unique range of national parks that boast remote gorges, subtropical rainforests, and stunning woodlands. In fact, there are over 230 national parks in Queensland and many of them can be found just a stone’s throw from the sunshine state’s capital.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or simply keen to get back to nature, lace up your hiking boots and come discover the best national parks near Brisbane.

Tamborine National Park

Drive one hour south of Brisbane into the Gold Coast hinterland and you’ll find Tamborine National Park, a stunning oasis nestled on the Tamborine plateau with glimpses to the Gold Coast and Pacific Ocean below.

Tamborine National Park was Queensland’s first national park and is the ultimate spot for a family-friendly hike. There are walking tracks in six areas of the park, and most of them are an hour or under and suitable for all ages. Popular walks include the 3.6km return Witches Falls circuit, and the 1.1km return Cedar Creek Falls track to rock pools.

While you’re there enjoy a spot of birdwatching and try to catch a glimpse of the near threatened Albert’s Lyrebird. There’s also picnic areas, rockpools, and lookouts to be discovered.

Springbrook National Park

You might think you’ve stepped onto the set of Jurassic Park when you visit Springbrook National Park. Featuring stunning waterfalls and lush rainforest, the national park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, one of Queensland’s five World Heritage properties and part of the World Heritage Family.

Located in the hinterland of the Gold Coast, it’s about 100km south of Brisbane and well worth a visit for its rich diversity of wildlife, rare fauna, and the multiple walks that reward you with stunning vistas to the ocean and beyond.

Looking to take your adventure one step further? Truly immerse yourself in nature and take advantage of the one camping area in the park, The Settlement. It’s the only way to experience the park’s glow-worm colony after dark!

Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park is a bushwalkers paradise with around130km of tracks waiting to be explored. It’s a great way to take in the beauty and natural wonders of the World Heritage Park which also forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.

There are 13 walks over 10km long, the longest being the Albert River circuit that's 21.8km in length. And when it’s time to rest those weary legs, there are multiple picnic and day use areas to enjoy including Binna Burra upper and lower, Green Mountains, and Kamarun lookout.

While you’re in the area check out O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat where you can enjoy architecturally designed accommodation, guided bird walks, and the famed Tree Top Walk.

Glass House Mountains National Park

You’ve most likely seen images of the craggy peaks of the Glass House Mountains towering above the surrounding landscape west of the Sunshine Coast. The spectacular site is about an hour’s drive north of Brisbane and offer visitors a variety of walking tracks and spectacular views.

While not too far in distance from the national parks mentioned above, Glass House Mountains National Park offers a completely different terrain with rocky peaks and pavements, steep hill slopes, and gullies and swampy coastal plains. This makes for some challenging hikes best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness.

The park is also perfect for thrill seekers - several running trails, a mountain bike trail, and abseiling and rock-climbing opportunities abound making it the ultimate destination for those who love an adventure.

Getting there:

Fly to Brisbane 7 days a week with Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas.