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Nine National Parks Near Brisbane to Escape To
From beginner-friendly day trips to challenging mountain hikes, these are the national parks closest to Brisbane for getting outdoors.
The national parks closest to Brisbane range from D’Aguilar, just 10 kilometres from the CBD, to the rugged terrain of Mount Barney in the Scenic Rim. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls at Kondalilla National Park, hiking mountains in the Main Range National Park or just enjoying the fresh air and lookouts in Springbrook, you’ll never regret a weekend spent outdoors. The best part? Most parks are within a two-hour drive and free to enter. This guide covers nine of the best, organised by what you’re looking to do on your next nature-filled weekend.
Best National Parks Near Brisbane for a Day Trip
D’Aguilar National Park
A mere 10 kilometres from the heart of Brisbane, D’Aguilar National Park spans 36,000 hectares of beautiful bushland. With plenty of walking trails, picnic areas and lookouts, there’s plenty to keep you busy across the weekend.
Where: The Gap
Distance From Brisbane: 10km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Nature lovers, Active, Families, Weekend plans
Need to Know: Don’t forget to pack your swimmers too, with plenty of waterholes waiting to refresh you.
Springbrook National Park
Another popular (and highly Instagrammable) spot to chase waterfalls is Springbrook. This incredible natural space is the perfect place to spend a day exploring, enjoying a picnic and swimming in the cool, clear waterways.
Highlights include the Natural Bridge, Purling Brook Falls and the lookout for drinking in the Gold Coast view.
Where: Springbrook
Distance From Brisbane: 108km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Nature lovers, Active, Families, Weekend plans
Glass House Mountains National Park
Ever popular for the highly Instagrammable summit snaps, the Glass House Mountains are a short drive north of Brisbane. Mt Ngungun is the most beginner-friendly option, with the Tibrogargan and Beerwah climbs taking a little more endurance and a touch of rock scrambling at the end.
But it’s oh so worth it for the view, and to experience this beautiful piece of Country that is steeped in Dreamtime stories.
Sitchu Tip: If you’re not up to walking but searching for a stunning lookout point, you can drive up to the Glashouse Mountains Lookout for a 360-degree vantage point to take it all in. The long, rollicking road up to Mt Tibrogargan is also a popular point to stop for an Instagram picture, showcasing the undulating road lined by lush green trees and long grass.
Where: Sunshine Coast
Distance From Brisbane: 70km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Nature lovers, Active, Families, Weekend plans
Need to Know: Find the visitor’s centre at Settler’s Rotary Park on Bruce Parade, Glass House Mountains.
Best National Parks Near Brisbane for Waterfalls and Swimming
Kondalilla National Park
This little spot just outside of Montville is one of the lesser-known parks but is well worth exploring, with picture-perfect picnic spots and a beautiful rock pool for refreshing dips. Kondalilla National Park. Bird watchers are in for a treat with over 107 species clocked in the vicinity, including the elegant Australian peregrine falcon.
Where: Flaxton
Distance From Brisbane: 106km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Kids, Weekend plans
Main Range National Park
Popular for bushwalking and the possibility of encountering rare wildlife, Main Range National Park encompasses enormous mountain ranges, breathtaking waterfalls and trails that will reacquaint you with the magic of the Australian bush.
Sitchu Tip: Visit just after it rains, and take the easy walking trail (about a forty-minute walk) to the bottom of Queen Mary Falls. You’ll be entranced by the cascading waterfall off the clifftop.
Where: Warwick
Distance From Brisbane: 113km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Active, Families, Kids
Tamborine National Park
Tamborine National Park offers plenty for the intrepid traveller, from the mesmerising cascade of Curtis Falls (keep your eyes peeled for platypus) to glow worms and subtropical rainforest.
The Witches Falls portion of this park is Queensland’s first national park, having been declared in 1908, so be sure to add it to the initnerary.
Where: Tamborine
Distance From Brisbane: 68km
Cost: Free
Best For: Outdoor, Active, Kids, Families
Best National Parks Near Brisbane for Experienced Hikers
Lamington National Park
Forming part of the world-heritage Gondwana Park is Lamington National Park, a short day trip from Brisbane. The geology contained within dates back 225 million years.
Explore the history and secrets this dense and ancient forest holds on one of the many walks accessible from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Not to be missed are the Treetop Walk or (if you’re up for a challenge) check out the 54km Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk for an incredible explorative experience.
Where: Lamington Park
Distance From Brisbane: 106km
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Weekend plans, Outdoor, Active
Mount Barney National Park
For the experienced hikers amongst us, Mount Barney has some steep and challenging hikes to test your limits. The most approachable of these trails (there are four main tracks to choose from) is the Yellow Pinch Trail, which will reward you with a stunning natural lookout.
If you’re chasing some water, hike 3.7 kilometres to discover the Lower Portals, where you can take a dip in a deep pool found within a rocky gorge.
Where: Burnett Creek
Distance From Brisbane: 127km
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, Outdoor, Active, Kids, Weekend plans
Best National Parks Near Brisbane for History and Culture
St Helena Island National Park
A tiny island national park called St Helena, just off the coast of Moreton Bay offers a national park experience you don’t get every day. Now a picturesque national park, this little island was in fact Queensland’s first penal settlement, operating from 1867 to 1932.
You can get to St Helena by boat from Manly or New Farm and book a guided tour to explore the stone ruins of the prison stockade that tell the story of this island’s past. If you want to wing it on your own, head out on one of the short walking tracks leading to historic sites at the island’s southern end.
Where: Moreton Bay
Distance From Brisbnae: 21km
Cost: Free
Best For: Weekend plans, Nature, Active, Kids, Families
Need to Know: Whilst access to the Southern end of St Helene Island National Park is free but you will need to pay for a ferry or private boat to access the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brisbane is surrounded by family-friendly national parks that cater to all ages and fitness levels. D’Aguilar National Park is the closest option, just 10 kilometres from the city, with easy walking trails, picnic areas and waterholes perfect for little ones. Tamborine National Park is another great pick, offering glow worms, subtropical rainforest and the chance to spot a platypus near Curtis Falls. For something a little more adventurous, Main Range National Park has an easy trail to Queen Mary Falls that kids will love — especially after recent rainfall when the waterfall is at its most dramatic.
The national parks closest to Brisbane range from just 10 kilometres to around 130 kilometres from the CBD, meaning most are easily accessible as a day trip. D’Aguilar National Park is the nearest at 10km, while St Helena Island sits just 21km offshore in Moreton Bay. The Glass House Mountains are around 70km north, Tamborine National Park roughly 68km south, and Springbrook and Kondalilla around 106–108km away. For those happy to drive a little further, Mount Barney National Park sits at 127km, making it better suited to a weekend trip than a quick afternoon escape.
The vast majority of national parks near Brisbane are free to enter and explore, making them an accessible option for a budget-friendly day out. Parks including D’Aguilar, Springbrook, Glass House Mountains, Kondalilla, Lamington and Mount Barney all have no entry fee. The one exception to note is St Helena Island National Park — while the park itself is free, you’ll need to pay for a ferry or arrange a private boat to reach the island from Manly or New Farm, and guided tours of the historic penal settlement are available at an additional cost.
Queensland’s subtropical climate makes waterfall-chasing and wild swimming a beloved Brisbane weekend ritual, and several parks deliver on both fronts. Kondalilla National Park near Montville has a beautiful rock pool perfect for a refreshing dip, while Springbrook offers the iconic Purling Brook Falls and natural swimming holes. Main Range National Park is worth visiting after rainfall, when Queen Mary Falls cascades dramatically from the clifftop. Tamborine National Park rounds out the list with Curtis Falls and lush rainforest surrounds. Each of these parks is free to enter and within a two-hour drive of Brisbane’s CBD.
Experienced hikers after a genuine challenge should head straight for Mount Barney National Park, located around 127 kilometres from Brisbane. With four main trails to choose from, the terrain is steep and demanding — rewarding those who take it on with spectacular natural lookouts and rugged scenery. The 3.7-kilometre hike to the Lower Portals leads to a deep swimming pool set within a rocky gorge, making it a worthy payoff. Lamington National Park is another solid option for seasoned walkers, with the 54-kilometre Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk offering a serious multi-day adventure through ancient Gondwana rainforest.
Loved our pick of the best national parks near Brisbane? We’ve got plenty more ideas for your next road trip — how about a road trip or a camping experience?
