Easy hikes and walks in Gold Creek Reservoir

This well-maintained track through the Mt Coot-tha Reserve is a great option for those looking for a bit of a challenge near the city. The pathway isn't technically challenging but there is some steep terrain that will definitely test your strength and endurance. Although the path is partially shaded you'll still need to bring sun protection and plenty of water. The tree cover is also home to a wide variety of birdlife, so be sure to look up while hiking through the forest.

Camp Mountain Lookout opens up sweeping views across Samford Valley, Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and out towards the Glass House Mountains on clear days. Reached via steep fire trails through the forest, the lookout is one of the main scenic rewards in this section of D’Aguilar National Park and a popular stop for walkers, cyclists, and trail runners tackling the climb. Toilets, picnic facilities, and parking are available near the lookout area.

Camp Mountain Track climbs steadily through open eucalypt forest and broad fire trails towards one of the highest points in the southern section of D’Aguilar National Park. The track is popular with walkers, mountain bikers, and trail runners thanks to its long climbs, rolling ridgelines, and wide views across Samford Valley, Moreton Bay, and the Glass House Mountains from higher sections near the lookout. Much of the route follows gravel management roads beneath spotted gums and ironbarks, with some steeper and rougher sections on the climb.

Sutton Court Track is a steep gravel fire trail climbing through open eucalypt forest towards Camp Mountain Lookout. The track is broad and easy to follow but gets rocky and eroded in sections from water runoff, especially on the steeper climbs near the ridgeline. As you gain elevation, the forest opens to wider views across the surrounding ranges and towards Brisbane in the distance.

D’Aguilar National Park protects a huge stretch of forested ranges northwest of Brisbane, with eucalypt woodland, subtropical rainforest pockets, creeks, and steep ridgelines spread across the park. Around Camp Mountain, the tracks climb through dry forest and fire trails with regular birdlife and wide views back towards Samford Valley and Moreton Bay from the higher ridges.

Mt Coot-tha Reserve is a large natural area on the western edge of Brisbane known for its bushland, scenic lookouts, and popular attractions, including the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and summit precinct. There is an extensive network of walking and cycling tracks in the reserve that wind through dry eucalypt forest and pockets of subtropical vegetation, connecting key areas across the mountain. With shaded bushland, abundant wildlife, and occasional views of the city, it offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation to immerse yourself in nature.

The Golden Boulder Track is a short, easy walking track that traces the legacy of the 1860s gold rush, passing fenced mineshafts and quartz remains from historic mining attempts that ultimately yielded little gold. It winds through open eucalypt forest, and if you’re here in the spring, there are beautiful wildflowers dotted on the forest floor. Birdlife is abundant here, so keep an eye out; you might even spot a kookaburra during your walk along the way.

Turrbal Circuit is a short, easy loop walk that winds through open eucalypt forest along Cedar Creek. The track crosses the creek several times via small bridges and follows an easy, family-friendly route through shaded bushland with opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Named after the Turrbal people, the traditional custodians of the land, the circuit is an important part of the area’s cultural heritage while remaining a popular, accessible nature walk.