Slake any wilderness cravings at 400-sq-km D'Aguilar National Park (parks.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar) 12km northwest of central Brisbane. Pronounced "dee-ag-lar," its mix of open eucalypt woodlands, scribbly gum forests and subtropical rainforests claim over 800 plant species. Maps are available at the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre at the park’s entrance on Mount Nebo Rd, on the shores of the Enoggera Reservoir. Also here is the Wildlife Centre (adult/child $8.90/4.25), with reptiles and nocturnal marsupials and mammals including a wombat and a rare Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo. During school holidays, ranger-led experiences are fun and educational.
Beginning just downhill from the Discovery Centre, the Araucaria Track (5km, two hours) traces a path around the forested banks of the Enoggera Reservoir. Look out for Pacific kingfishers amid the eucalypt forest. Other walking trails range from a few hundred meters to a 25km loop shared with mountain bikers. Among them is the 6km-return Morelia Track at the Manorina day-use area and the 4.3km-return Greenes Falls Track at Mt Glorious. Horse riding is also an option, along with remote, walk-in bush camp sites.
To get here, catch bus 385 from Brisbane's King George Sq to The Gap Park ’n’ Ride, then walk 650m up the road. Bring your swimming costume for a swim in the reservoir, or hire a kayak or paddleboard from Walkabout Creek Adventures (walkaboutcreekadventures.com.au; per hour $35).
