SCROLL
Moreton Bay is the perfect place to escape the daily grind and reconnect with nature. Make the most of the beautiful sunny days by hiking through a rainforest, stopping and smelling the flowers, or getting up close and personal with the native wildlife.
Here are our top 10 nature experiences near Brisbane to cross off your bucket list and brighten up your social media channels.
Lush green canopies and beautiful panoramic views help to make the Thylogale Walking Track at Mount Nebo a popular destination for hikers.
This beautiful rainforest boasts towering trees, colourful flora, native wildlife, and easy-to-walk tracks that are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The 4km one-way track is a pleasant stroll that winds around the side of the mountain, or you can be adventurous and trek the 8km round trip, which should take you roughly two hours to complete when walking at a leisurely pace.
Don’t forget to stop in at Jollys Lookout, which provides a beautiful backdrop over the region to the coastline for that all-important selfie.
If you’re looking to stretch your legs, the 1km Piccabeen Walk through the D’Aguilar National Park at Mount Mee is suitable for both adults and children.
This easy walk should only take you half an hour and will provide a stunning rainforest backdrop with plenty of piccabeen palms for you to strike a pose in front of, highlighting your adventure.
It’s also educational, as there are information boards along the walk where you can learn more about the region.
The nearby Gantry is also worth a look, with its rustic bush setting. The Gantry is easily accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles, being only 150m from the sealed Sellin Road.
It’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of suburbia at the six-hectare Kumbartcho Sanctuary, which is brimming with native flora and fauna.
The sanctuary is run by volunteers and adjoins the South Pine River and incorporates the last vestiges of the riverine rainforest which existed when European settlers first arrived in the area.
You will have no trouble losing yourself in the serenity of this paradise, which features walking tracks, picnic tables, barbecues, a nursery, environmental education centre and even a playground for the kids.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the locals, including koalas, frogs, snakes, turtles, possums, birds and more.
If you are not sure where to begin your adventure, why not let the team from Brisbane Nature Tours show you the highlights.
They cater for small groups and will chauffeur you from the mountainous hinterland to the sandy coastline, meaning you can take in the beauty from the comfort of the passenger’s seat without missing a thing.
There’s even a good possibility you will stop in for a cheeky drink or two at one of our famous wineries.
Alternatively, you can even arrange your own bespoke experience.
Nestled amongst the mangroves of Pine Rivers, Osprey House is rich with sea life and bird life.
It’s here you can learn more about Moreton Bay’s ecosystem and get up close to the wildlife.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot predatory birds such as eagles and kites, as well as kingfishers and other migratory shore birds.
There are three main bird viewing areas including the amphitheatre, the hide, and the lookout, allowing for multiple vantage points to get that perfect photo.
Inside the environmental centre, you will find educational displays, a life-size dugong and even a live stream video from an osprey nest.
If you are an experienced bushwalker, you will find the 13km Somerset Trail through the D’Aguilar National Park a little more challenging.
The track features numerous inclines and dips, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Make sure you take in the beauty of the bubbling creeks and hidden waterholes, don’t forget to look up at the large gum and pine trees that seem to stretch into the clouds.
When you have completed about two-thirds of the trail you will come across the spectacular lookout offering sweeping views across to Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam in the far-off distance.
Allow up to four hours to complete the trail.
If you’re looking to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway, Bellthorpe Stays provides four units for you to choose from.
You will be staying on a 400-acre working cattle farm with a leafy rainforest and rolling green hills to admire.
Guests can choose to explore the property with the owner or venture out on their own to see the cascading waterfalls, enjoy a picnic at the lookout, or go birdwatching.
The crystal blue waters of Moreton Bay make it easy to spot playful dolphins, shy dugongs, curious turtles, and thousands of colourful fish.
There is also a good chance you will see majestic humpback whales breaching in the open water in the winter months.
The team from Dolphin Wild Island Cruises will help you spot the marine life, as well as offer a full day of excitement by snorkelling at the famous Tangalooma Wrecks and fish feeding.
As you make your way along the track to Greenes Falls in the Maiala National Park, you will also be treated to crystal clear rainforest pools, gorgeous strangler figs and an abundance of wildlife.
The track itself is a mixture of natural bush trails, boardwalks, steep hill sections and rough surfaces.
There are also plenty of stone and timber steps to climb.
After days of heavy rain, the waterfalls are gushing and provide visitors with plenty of photo opportunities.
This unique attraction caters for people of all ages so you can learn more about these beautiful creatures.
When you walk through the butterfly haven, a sea of colour will wash over you as the butterflies fly peacefully around you.
If you are lucky enough, a butterfly may even land on you to create that picture-perfect moment.
Discover the hidden gems and sun-soaked adventures waiting for you in Moreton Bay. Just up the road from Brisbane, our region is where the coast meets hinterland adventure, and the laid-back Queensland lifestyle takes centre stage.
