Brisbane Koala Bushlands: Walks, Koala Spotting and Parking

Brisbane Koala Bushlands is a large patch of council-run bush at Burbank, on Brisbane’s south-eastern edge, with walking trails, a picnic area and koalas living in the gum trees. It is about 25 minutes by car from the CBD.

The bushlands stretch from Belmont to Burbank and take in several small parks, including J. C. Trotter Memorial Park, Leacroft Road Park, Longton Court Park, Alperton Road Park, Prout Road Park and Mount Petrie Road Park. The Alperton Road picnic area is the main entrance.

Walks at Brisbane Koala Bushlands

There are two main shared trails (for walking and horse riding) and one designated walking trail. Trail lengths range from 1.4 km to 6.2 km. The tracks are mostly flat with minor slopes and few obstacles.

Council has a downloadable track map that shows the trails and horse troughs. Tracks start from the surrounding streets, so save the map before you go.

Council asks visitors to stay on the designated tracks and trails, to take rubbish with them and not to touch or disturb animals or plants. Some tracks are harder than usual, so read the track map before you choose one. Rain and overland flow can cause washouts, ruts and uneven ground, so take care after wet weather.

Spotting koalas

Koalas take some patience to find, so look up. Koalas are often feeding in the treetops or resting high in a gum. Check the forks of eucalyptus trees, and look for dark green to brown oval droppings at the base of a trunk, which can mean a koala is above.

Council suggests visiting early or late in the day, when koalas are most active. Do not touch or disturb animals or plants. Other wildlife in the bushlands includes greater and squirrel gliders, wallabies, bandicoots, water dragons, turtles and birds such as wedge-tailed eagles.

What grows here

The bush is a mix of wattles, native grasses, wildflowers, melaleucas, brush box and scribbly gums. Slow down and look at the trees as well as the ground.

Because the tracks start from the surrounding streets, you can pick the entrance that suits your walk. The Alperton Road end has the picnic area and toilets, while J. C. Trotter Memorial Park on Cherbon Street is a second starting point. Council’s track map shows where each trail meets the street.

Picnic area and facilities

The Alperton Road visitor area has a picnic area, electric barbecues, shelters and toilets, plus information about koala conservation. There is no drinking water on site, so bring your own.

Planning your visit

• Hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily.
• Dogs: allowed on a leash. Take rubbish and dog waste with you.
• Bikes: not allowed. The trails are for walking and horse riding only.
• Horse riding: allowed on the designated trails. Riders should wear a helmet, give way to walkers on shared trails and tell someone their route and return time.
• What to bring: drinking water, a hat and sturdy shoes.

Sharing the trails with horses

Two of the three trails are shared with horse riders, and council puts horse troughs on its track map. Riders are asked to give way to walkers on shared trails and to wear a helmet, and walkers must keep dogs on a leash.

Making a morning of it

With trails from 1.4 km to 6.2 km you can match the walk to your group, and the picnic area gives you a place to stop for lunch. Take your own water, because there is none on site, and tell someone your route and return time if you head out on a longer track.

Getting there and parking

From Brisbane CBD it is about 25 minutes by car. Use Alperton Road for the main picnic area (137 Alperton Road, Burbank) or Cherbon Street for J. C. Trotter Memorial Park (130 Cherbon Street, Burbank). Parking is at the two picnic areas. Details are on the Brisbane City Council page.

Nearby

• Daisy Hill Koala Centre – free koala viewing at another bush reserve.
• Daisy Hill Conservation Park – more bush trails.
• Karawatha Forest – walks and a discovery centre.
• Toohey Forest – another Brisbane bush reserve to walk.
• Mount Cotton – bushland trails and a lookout.

More walks: nature walks and things to do in Brisbane.

You might also like

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – koalas up close.
• Tinchi Tamba Wetlands (Bald Hills)
• Federation Walk (Main Beach)

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