Rainforest Hikes for Families in Brisbane

With temperatures guaranteed to be several degrees cooler than the suburbs, escaping to the rainforest is the perfect way to cool down and decompress. Here in South-East Queensland, we’re extremely fortunate to have our pick of rainforests to adventure to, be it closer to home for just a few hours, or slightly further away for a whole day or more. So, boost those endorphins with these picks for the best rainforest hikes for families in Brisbane.

Maiala, Mount Glorious (South D’Aguilar National Park)

Mount Glorious has several wonderful rainforest hikes for families. Maiala is a First Nation’s word for ‘quiet place’ and it sums up this magical area perfectly.

Enter the cool rainforest at Maiala and take any of the multiple tracks that pass through groves of towering trees, palms and ferns, pause at the waterfall after some rain, or challenge yourselves to stay extra quiet and spot the native wildlife including dozens of bird families, pademelons, lizards and more.

All tracks start from the Maiala Day Use Area, accessed from Mount Glorious Road, Mount Glorious.

The Rainforest Circuit

The Rainforest Circuit is highly accessible for younger children, though it does include some sections of stairs and sloped paths.

LENGTH: 2km round circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Cypress Grove Circuit

Starting part way along the Rainforest Circuit and similarly accessible, the Cypress Grove Circuit is a return path through a picturesque Cypress Pine grove.

LENGTH: 2.5km return

TIME TO ALLOW: One to 1.5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Greenes Falls Track

Offering the chance to stand on an observation deck over the falls after some rain (though fairly dry at other times), the Greenes Falls Track is a return path taken off the Rainforest Circuit that includes sections of timber boardwalk alongside a creek, with a slight decline on the way in and incline on the way out.

LENGTH: 4.3km

TIME TO ALLOW: 1.5 to two hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Find out more about the tracks at Maiala in Mount Glorious here.

Boombana, Mt Nebo (South D’Aguilar National Park)

 

The lush, green rainforest of Boombana can be found at Mount Nebo, just a short distance from the Brisbane suburb of The Gap. Named after the First Nation’s word for ‘flowering tree’, this area is well-known for its abundance of pink-flowered lacebark trees which bloom in the summer months.

Wildlife-spotting can make one of these rainforest hikes for families a real adventure—see who can spot a red-necked pademelon or brightly coloured birds such as the rose-crowned fruit dove, satin bowerbird, green catbird or pale yellow robin.

All tracks start from the Boombana Trailhead, accessed from Mount Nebo Road, Mount Nebo.

Pitta Circuit

Featuring strangler figs around 3 centuries old, the Pitta Circuit loops through sub-tropical rainforest where wildlife such as red-necked pademelons and brightly coloured birds are common. Take the off-shoot 600m Post Office Track from the boardwalk and make a pitstop at Mt Nebo Village for a refuel.

LENGTH: 1km round circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Thylogale Track

Yes, this is an epic walk more suited to older children and families, but the Thylogale Track provides a wonderful day of nature investigation. Passing through different types of forest including lush rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, the wildlife here is abundant. Arrange for someone to drop your group at the beginning of the track and pick you up from the end to halve the distance and time taken (this track returns along the same path).

LENGTH: 8km return

TIME TO ALLOW: Three to four hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution is recommended with children.

Read more about Mount Nebo and South D’Aguilar National Park here. 

Binna Burra & Green Mountains (Lamington National Park)

Lamington National Park is divided into two sections—Binna Burra and Green Mountains. Throughout this Gondwana Rainforest area, you’ll experience historically significant areas of forest, as well as dozens of types of birds, lizards and even pademelons.

With some truly epic multi-day trails, we’d recommend sticking to the shorter rainforest hikes for families.

Rainforest Circuit (Binna Burra)

A short and easy walk for most families, this circuit is filled with nature-spotting opportunities. Spot a bowerbird nest with its blue treasures, hear the feline call of a catbird, or find a lizard camouflaging itself amongst the leaf litter.

LENGTH: 1.2km circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes

DIFFICULTY: Easy walk for most families with flat, compacted paths (unsealed).

Rainforest Return (Green Mountains)

Passing between 23-million-year-old boulders, this return path evokes a sense of wonder at just how ancient the standing features of this Gondwana rainforest really are.

LENGTH: 1.4km return

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes

DIFFICULTY: Easy walk for most families with flat, compacted paths (unsealed).

Centenary Track (Green Mountains)

The perfect track for families with younger children, the sealed Centenary Track winds through forest abundant with birds such as bowerbirds, rufous fantails, albert’s lyrebirds and easter yellow robins.

LENGTH: 1.8km return

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Easy walk or roll along a sealed track (wheelchair and pram accessible)

Python Rock Track (Green Mountains)

Offering the chance to take in the encompassing views of Morans Falls from an amazing lookout, the Python Rock Track is a relatively flat walk. Whilst you might not be able to see them, this area is home to ancient masked mountain frogs (also known as southern frogs), who make a distinctive ‘popping’ sound.

LENGTH: 3.1km return

TIME TO ALLOW: One hour to 90 minutes

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Read more about Lamington National Park here.

Tamborine Mountain (Tamborine National Park)

A visit to Tamborine Mountain is an escape in itself, with a huge variety of nature adventures on offer.

When it comes to rainforest hikes for families to explore, the six sections of Tamborine National Park include walks ranging from brief strolls to longer treks. Whichever trail you choose, you can be assured that your hike will take you through some stunning rainforest featuring decades-old, towering trees abundant with wildlife.

Curtis Falls Track (Joalah Section)

Winding through stunning rainforest showcasing several fern species, the Curtis Falls Track is highly accessible and a must-do after some rain. There are quite a few stairs down to the falls on this walk, however, the vista at the final destination is well worth the uphill climb you will face on your return.

LENGTH: 1.1km return

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

MacDonald Rainforest Circuit (MacDonald Section)

The MacDonald Rainforest Circuit is a relatively easy and flat walk through lush rainforest featuring massive strangler figs, groves of picabeen palms, and plenty of birdwatching opportunities.

LENGTH: 1.4km

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk

Whilst there is an admission fee to access the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, this trail is highly accessible for prams and wheelchairs.

Beginning from the information centre and café, the path takes visitors across elevated steel bridges suspended high above the rainforest canopy and along compacted dirt paths and boardwalks into the rainforest itself.

The cascades at the end of the trail make a great place to pause, before turning back and experiencing the breathtaking 30m high cantilever viewing platform close to the end of the circuit.

LENGTH: 1.5km circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes to one hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels, with flat or compacted paths.

Read more about Tamborine Mountain here.

Springbrook (Springbrook National Park)

Further south from Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook National Park is a truly spectacular place to visit, featuring lush, Gondwana rainforest, panoramic views and cascading waterfalls, as well as amazing wildlife and great rainforest hikes.

This national park is divided into many sections and is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, which means some of the trees you will see here date back up to 3,000 years!

Natural Bridge Circuit (Natural Bridge section)

Home to a glow worm colony that can be viewed at nighttime, a visit to Natural Bridge is truly unique. A sealed track makes it an easy walk to the cave (we recommend walking in a clockwise direction), which is just as spectacular during the day as at night.

LENGTH: 1km return

TIME TO ALLOW: One hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels, with flat or compacted paths.

Cascades Track (Mount Cougal section)

This sealed return track climbs gently, following the path of Currumbin Creek through sub-tropical rainforest. Pass by an historic sawmill on your way to the lookout overlooking the Cougal Cascades below.

LENGTH: 1.6km return

TIME TO ALLOW: One hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels, with flat or compacted paths. Suitable for prams and wheelchairs with assistance.

Purling Brook Falls Circuit (Springbrook Plateau)

Beginning close to the top of Purling Brook Falls, this circuit descends passes by two lookouts offering spectacular views, then through winding trails to the base of the falls. Passing through eucalypt and Gondwana forests teeming with wildlife there are some steep declines/inclines and stairs.

This circuit is easiest to walk in a clockwise direction (though you will still need to climb up to complete the circuit).

LENGTH: 4km circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: Two to three hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Higher level caution recommended with children.

Twin Falls Circuit (Springbrook Plateau)

Take in the panoramic views from the top of Springbrook Plateau on this circuit, before winding your way down to the rainforest canyon floor below. The highlight of this trail are the two waterfalls that you will pass behind.

LENGTH: 4km circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: Two to three hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Higher level caution recommended with children.

Read more about Springbrook National Park here.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (Maleny)

Encompassing 55 hectares of stunning rainforest, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve makes the perfect day trip destination for Brisbane families.

The Reserve’s multi-million dollar Discovery Centre has been designed to make the most of the surrounding environment and stunning views, taking in the rainforest that is home to dozens of species of native animals, birds, reptiles and insects.

Pademelon Loop/Piccabeen Loop/ Rainforest Loop

Beginning at the Mary Cairncross Rainforest Discovery Centre, these three circuits begin on the same path for a short distance before branching off from each other. Each track features viewing platforms along the way, allowing you to pause and take in the strangler figs, creek and rose gums.

LENGTH: 1.3km/1.3km/1.7km circuits

TIME TO ALLOW: One hour per circuit

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels, with flat or compacted paths and boardwalks.

Read more about Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve here.

Buderim Falls (Buderim Forest Park)

Buderim Falls is only one and a half hour’s drive from Brisbane, yet it feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle. Widely known as Serenity Falls, the area is surrounded by the strangler figs, towering trees and ferns of sub-tropical rainforest.

Buderim Falls Loop

Located less than 1km from Buderim Village, this loop takes in cascades and waterfalls. Taking the 700m elevated boardwalk, followed by the short trail to Serenity Bridge and Buderim Falls, you can choose to either retrace your steps, or continue up a fairly steep incline to complete the circuit.

LENGTH: 800m circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: 30 minutes

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Read more about Buderim Falls here.

Booloumba Falls (Conondale National Park)

 

Home to endangered plants and animals, along with a wide variety of other flora and fauna, Conondale National Park features lush rainforests, incredible vantage points, waterfalls, rock pools, cascades and more.

Booloumba Falls Walk

Stroll through open forest along the Booloumba Falls Walk as it follows the Booloumba and Peters Creeks past cascades, waterfalls and towering rock formations.

LENGTH: 3km return

TIME TO ALLOW: Two hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Read more about Conondale National Park here.

Kondalilla Falls (Kondalilla National Park)

Located within the Blackhall Ranges near Montville, the well-known waterfall in Kondalilla National Park is a sight to behold (particularly after some rain). The area is also home to the incredible peregrine falcon, along with over one hundred species of other birds, which you may spot on one of these rainforest hikes for families.

Picnic Creek Circuit

Escape to this cool eucalypt and rainforest on this path to the Obi Valley Lookout, passing by a small waterfall and cascades along the way.

LENGTH: 1.7km return

TIME TO ALLOW: 45 minutes to one 1 hour

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for all fitness levels, with flat or compacted paths.

Kondalilla Falls Circuit

This circuit winds down to the rockpools at the base of Kondalilla Falls, passing through rainforest abundant with birds and other native animals. Around 300 stairs take you back out to finish the circuit.

LENGTH: 4.7km circuit

TIME TO ALLOW: Two to three hours

DIFFICULTY: Suitable for most fitness levels. Medium level caution recommended with children.

Read more about Kondalilla Falls here.

These are just a selection of the fantastic bushwalks we have access to from Brisbane If you’re looking for more, head to our Explore Brisbane section.

Prior to attending any of these walks we recommend visiting National Parks and Wildlife Website to be up to date with any changes to walking trails. We also recommend letting someone you know, where you are going before you head off on your family adventure into our wild places.