Toohey Forest Park

Toohey Forest Park offers a sizeable pocket of bushland close to Brisbane’s CBD, with about 260 hectares of forest, picnic areas, walking tracks and shared trails. The setting combines city access with a natural landscape of sandstone and quartzite outcrops, eucalypts, wattles, she-oaks, heath and grasses. Scenic viewpoints look across Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs, making the park a practical choice when you want some time outdoors without travelling far from the city.

There is plenty to do beyond a simple walk. Tracks range from easy to hard and include both paved and unpaved sections, catering to different ages, experience levels and fitness. The forest is linked by walking trails and the Griffith University Intercampus Link to Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve, where bushwalking trails lead towards the Mt Gravatt lookout. The 1.2 km Mount Gravatt Summit Track starts at Gertrude Petty Place and takes about 40 minutes, or the lookout can be reached by car.

The connected reserve adds a few extra reasons to make the trip. At the summit, visitors will find panoramic views, a café, playground and toilet block, while clear days can reveal the Moreton Bay islands, D’Aguilar Ranges and Glasshouse Mountains. Picnic facilities are available at Toohey Forest’s Mayne Estate and Toohey picnic areas, which both have barbecues, as well as at Gertrude Petty Place and the Mt Gravatt Outlook picnic area. Designated areas in Toohey Forest also permit bouldering beside the Sandstone Rest Area and the Escarpment Track.

Wildlife is a major part of the experience, with more than 400 species of native wildlife and plants recorded across the forest and reserve. Visitors may spot koalas, echidnas, possums, gliders, frogs, lizards and a range of birds, although wildlife should be observed without touching or disturbing it. The park suits solo walkers, families, small groups and anyone looking for a picnic or outdoor exercise near Brisbane. Dogs are allowed on leads. Check track conditions before setting out: rainfall and overland flow associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have left washouts, ruts and uneven surfaces on some trails.