Accessible Guide to the Southern Moreton Bay Hinterland

If you’re travelling with little ones who need to burn off some extra energy and excitement, you can’t go past the Hills District All-Abilities Playground in Arana Hills. 

This playground is a wonderland for kids of all ages, it’s as inclusive as it is engaging – perfect for kids of all abilities to play together. 

There are multiple play areas filled with slides, climbing apparatuses, bridges, a sandpit with diggers, seesaws, a small cubby, wheelchair accessible carousel, a five-way swing with capsule seats and even an interactive sensory garden space! 

Accessible ramps make the playground easy for wheelchair and stroller users, there is brail signage throughout, rubber soft fall matting and it’s fully fenced. 

There is also plenty of accessible parking bays and an accessible bathroom. 

The picnic tables have spaces for wheelchairs at the end, making it a perfect spot for morning or afternoon tea. 

As you make your way out of Brisbane, the concrete jungle will quickly be replaced with the dense forest that makes up the southern sector of the D’Aguilar National Park. 

Your drive is set to become more scenic by the minute, as you look out through the trees at nature’s wonderland. 

On your journey, you will come across multiple lookouts, such as McAfee’s Lookout and Camp Mountain Lookout, but the most popular choice for visitors is Jolly’s Lookout at Mount Nebo. 

Be sure to have your camera ready, as Jolly’s Lookout has sweeping panoramic views over the D'Aguilar Range to the Glass House Mountains, and east across Samford Valley to Moreton Bay and the islands. 

There is paved access to the level lookout platform and the sheltered barbecues and picnic areas, so you can take in the view while enjoying a bite to eat. 

Once you’re back in the car, you will head to the small village of Mount Nebo – a popular stopping point for day-trippers. 

If you’re craving a coffee, visit JM Jones Tearooms which has wheelchair-friendly outdoor seating areas. 

As you continue your road trip, it will be hard to stop your jaw from dropping due to the stunning sub-tropical rainforest you are visiting. 

As you make your way from Mount Nebo to Mount Glorious, you must stop in at Westridge Outlook – a little hidden gem not to be missed! 

Here you will find an accessible and elevated boardwalk that extends out into the treetops, making it suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchairs. 

As you make your way along the boardwalk, you will look out over the lush canopies that face westward to the Toowoomba Ranges, as well as glimpses of Wivenhoe Dam. 

Just down the road, you'll find a selection of walking trails, including the 2-kilometre Rainforest Circuit—an easy-grade path that winds through a lush valley of ferns. 

While these trails offer a scenic and accessible experience for many, visitors with mobility concerns are encouraged to assess each trail individually to ensure it suits their needs.

Once you reached Samford Village, you will feel like you have stepped back in time! 

This charming village features a number of historical buildings, antique stores and a thriving arts and crafts scene. 

Getting around Samford Village is easy, as you can park in the designated accessible car parks in the centre of town and explore the village at your own leisure. 

The Samford Visitor Information Centre has ramp access and an accessible public bathroom. 

One of the best stops for a pub feed is the Samford Hotel, which provides top-notch brews and a mouthwatering menu – we’re talking cheesy garlic bread, beer-battered whiting, pumpkin pine nut and pesto gnocchi, pizzas and burgers, just to name a few! 

The hotel is over a century old, and despite its old bones, the owners have ensured that everyone is welcome for a meal. There are concrete ramps and a low-rise platform lift that provides access into the sports bar. 

If you have kids (or are a big kid yourself), you know that close encounters with animals are always a big hit. 

Trevena Glen Farm in Mount Samson is home to donkeys, alpacas, a llama, chickens, guinea pigs, goats, rabbits, pigs, turkeys, sheep, horses and a cow – giving you a true insight into what life on a farm is all about. 

We also can’t forget Bentley, the owner’s gorgeous dog! 

The farm is a registered NDIS provider, meaning the staff are experienced with delivering special needs education and activities. 

Being a working farm, the terrain is made up of compacted dirt and gravel. Staff are happy to assist guests with maneuvering their way around the farm, or even bring animals to you if needed. 

Set amidst the mountains, the Mercure Clear Mountain Lodge is surrounded by 20 hectares of bushland and gardens and features stunning panoramic views across to the Glass House Mountains and coastline – making it one of the most peaceful and tranquil hotels in the Moreton Bay hinterland region. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to catch up on some rest and relaxation, there is one designated accessible room available with a roll-in shower, folding bench seat in the shower and accessible basin. There are also two double beds. 

The hotel’s Lodge Suite is wheelchair-friendly, as it has a larger floor space and level entry into the bathroom and shower. 

The hotel also offers a restaurant and bar, which are accessible via an external ramp. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a day of fun in the sun or watch the clear blue skies turn into a haze of pinks, reds and oranges at the end of each day, Lake Samsonvale at Petrie is one of the region’s most picturesque destinations. 

There are lots of wide-open spaces for groups of people to spread out, as well as plenty of picnic tables located right next to the water. 

Due to the serenity of the lake, it’s a great spot to kick back in the sun with a good book, play some cards or throw a ball around. 

If you have a kayak or canoe, you can drop it into the water and see the lake from a different perspective, although you might need some help gaining access to the water. 

If fishing is more your style, you could wet a line and try your luck at hooking a fish or two.

Known for bringing big acts, booze and bites to the ‘burbs, the Eatons Hill Hotel is a popular spot for an afternoon session. 

Here you can chow down on award-winning modern cuisine with plenty of flavour, enjoy a pint or cocktail, and if you are a music fan, you can see some of the biggest names in the industry play here (such as Prince, The Village People and Grinspoon, who have all played here in the past!). 

The hotel features nine public bars and restaurant areas and caters for people with varying disabilities with multiple access ramps, lifts, various height tables, and accessible bathrooms. 

Guests can fill their rumbling tummies with menu items from the grill, as well as burgers, pizzas, salads, seafood, and don’t forget the delicious dessert menu! 

If you are here to see a concert, there are designated viewing areas for people in wheelchairs. 

The great thing about the Eatons Hill Hotel is that it has inclusive accommodation as well, so you don’t have to drive anywhere after your meal or show – why not relax and unwind for a few days? 

The accommodation building has plenty of accessible parking and four designated accessible apartments. 

Some of the rooms have inter-connecting rooms which are handy if you are travelling with family, and feature spacious roll-in showers and accessible basins. 

Have you ever wondered what life was like for your grandparents or parents when they were growing up? 

Well, wonder no more, because you can experience what life was like pre-1930s when you visit Old Petrie Town - a charming historic village spread across 48 acres of parkland with several historical buildings that have been lovingly restored. 

The majority of businesses and buildings in Old Petrie Town are listed as accessible, meaning people of all ages and abilities won’t miss out on a thing! 

There is so much to see and do at Old Petrie Town, including the weekly markets where you can pick up some unique homewares and gifts, taste test some old-fashioned sweets such as Choo Choo Bars and Humbugs at The Ole Lollie Shop, plus purchase some vintage collectables at Krakka Family Garage Collectables, just to name a few. 

There are also a number of museums showcasing vintage machinery, vehicles, artefacts, photographs and more. 

One of the most popular museums to visit is the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum, where you can sit in a 1890s classroom and experience life before electricity in an original farm workers' cottage. 

The museum also features a theatre that animates the history of the region in film, artefacts uncovered at Camp Strathpine - a Second World War military facility - the Skyring Clock Collection of fifty clocks which were skillfully hand-built by one man, plus a diverse program of events and workshops for adults and children to enjoy.