There are a number of mountainous areas close by to Brisbane just waiting to be explored, and one of the best is D’Aguilar National Park at Mount Mee. A leisurely 45 minutes drive from Brisbane’s north, the drive itself makes the trip worthwhile as it traverses through the beautiful countryside of Samford, Dayboro, Ocean View and Mount Mee. Once you’re there, there’s a cafe with stunning views, national park bush walks, interesting remnants from a historic timber mill, and plenty of green space to picnic, barbecue and throw a ball around.
How to get to Mount Mee
From Brisbane, head out to Samford and follow the main road to the township of Dayboro. Then, take Mount Mee Road, signposted as Tourist Drive 29, and wind up the mountain. Further along Mount Mee Road you’ll see the Pitstop Cafe, a delightful place to refuel with coffee, milkshakes or a snack, while taking in the breathtaking views of the Samford Valley in the foreground, and the Brisbane City skyline in the distance.
Continue along Mount Mee Road until you see Sellin Road and turn left to D’Aguilar National Park (this is clearly signposted). At the end of this road you will come to The Gantry picnic area, where there is plenty of car parking available. This is also the starting point for two bush walking trails.
Bushwalking at Mount Mee
There are two bush walking trails leaving from The Gantry at Mount Mee: the family-friendly Piccabeen circuit track (1km) and the more challenging Somerset track (13km). Unsurprisingly, the Piccabeen walk features plenty of beautiful piccabeens (bangalow palms) as you meander along the sealed bitumen track, which is suitable for robust prams. This walk is flat and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, and features a pretty boardwalk through the green palms.
The Somerset Walk is a loop that takes approximately three to four hours to complete. At about the 7km mark, there is a beautiful look out which make a good place to rest before completing the trail. This walk is uphill in parts, and so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
The Gantry picnic area at Mount Mee
The Gantry picnic area at Mount Mee is so named because of the large shed that stands there, a structure that was originally part of the timber sawmill, which operated in the area from the 1930s until the 1980s. Interestingly, the sawmill at Mount Mee supplied silky oak and cedar woods for Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane City and the old Hornibrook Bridge, which connects Brisbane with Redcliffe. Now the shed provides a quirky shelter for the picnic area, which also features a number of tables, wood-fired barbecues and a toilet block. The picnic area is expansive, which means that even on a busy day, you will still feel like you have plenty of parkland to yourself.
Already visited Mount Mee? Why not try one of our many other family-friendly day trips from Brisbane? There’s everything from mountains to rainforests to beaches, and all within a couple of hours from Brisbane.
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