Queensland’s scenic Mount Glorious: perfect rainforest walks that are truly glorious.

Mount Glorious offers a breath of fresh air and scenic rainforest walks close to Brisbane City.

If you want to experience your first real taste of the Queensland rainforest, Mount Glorious on the outskirts of Brisbane is just within reach.

The slow, chilled pace can get to you. Seriously. For all its lazy, Sunday afternoon vibes and notoriously inefficient public transport, you don’t normally feel stressed when you’re in Brisbane. But when you do, there are plenty of havens close by to explore. Samford, Moreton Island, Stradbroke Island, the Lamington National Park – are all within driving distance (forget finding buses anywhere near them). A favorite haven is Mount Glorious, part of the D’Aguillar Range.

Situated about 30km north west of Brisbane’s CBD, the best route is via the western suburbs. Take Samford Road from Alderley, through Ferny Grove and over the Samford Range before turning left at the first major roundabout when you hit Samford Village. The route is steep and windy, with some spectacular views of the valley below.

If you haven’t taken a picnic (there are excellent barbecue and picnic facilities at the entrance to the national park), stop off for fresh, homemade scones and tea at Cloverlea Cottage. The back verandah catches the morning sun and from it you can see all the way to Moreton Bay.

The Maiala National Park has been our family’s go-to picnic spot since I was about six. The expansive park incorporates a large, open area on the side of the hill with picnic tables, grills, and public restrooms. From there, a network of three main trails weaves through the lush jungle-like rainforest. In the park area, wildlife abounds. Visitors will see scrub turkeys (with their bright red and yellow comb and jowls), wallabies, bandicoots, and even pademelons. Listen to the exotic birdsong of bellbirds and whip birds and inhale the pure oxygen.

Entering the rainforest path, the ambiance is alive with rifle birds noisy Pitta Pittas, and various local parrots. Rustling in the undergrowth you may hear and see Eastern Water Dragons and Southern Angle-Headed Dragons. On the tinier end of the scale, bugs are everywhere. The ones to avoid are the Trapdoor Spiders and Funnelwebs, which are both known to be aggressive and have venom that has the potential to paralyze and kill. Stay on the paths and don’t prod around on the mossy banks alongside the tracks just to be certain.

Almost immediately to the left on the tracks, hidden under decomposing plant matter can be seen the rusted remains of logging equipment. Early settlers to the area logged these forests and the machinery is the last of the milling saws and their boilers. Thankfully Mount Glorious has returned to its original glory. Take the time to breathe in the fresh air, jump over little streams and re-engage with nature because this place truly is a little magical.

The bushwalking tracks are well-maintained, but in the wet season, they can become slippery and muddy, with little waterfalls and rivulets cascading with rainwater. Take the Greeenes Fall track for the full experience. It’s a 4.3km circuit, taking you on a full loop to the point of origin. The falls are no longer directly accessible. On school camps back in the 1980s, we were able to walk down below, but these days, there are barricades and clearly fenced areas to prevent accidents and deaths. In truth, they were never that impressive from down below, but you will still see people jump the barricades to bathe their feet in the stream before it drops to the forest canopy below.

For a shorter, but still scenic experience that kids will love, take the Cypress Grove track, which is an easier 2.5km round trip.

Mount Glorious is the perfect family-friendly day trip, which is also popular with cyclists and motorcycle riders. Before heading back to Brisbane, we recommend stopping at the Cloverlea Cottage, a classic Queenslander-style bungalow with views out to Moreton Bay on a clear day. They offer a traditional high tea or scones with fresh whipped cream and jam.

For more things to do in the Brisbane and South East Queensland region of Australia, explore our archive here.

WHAT?

Mount Glorious offers gorgeous jungle-like rainforests within easy reach from Brisbane.

WHERE?

30KM from Brisbane, above the Samford Valley

HOW?

Drive north west through Ferny Grove along Samford Road. Cross the Samford Range and turn left at the first roundabout entering Samford then follow the signs.