D'Aguilar National Park Brisbane

Dip into cool subtropical rainforest with trickling creeks and lush vegetation. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

D'Aguilar National Park is a breathtaking escape from the city! Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

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Are we there yet? Well kids, almost! D’Aguilar National Park is the closest, large-scale national park to any Australian capital city and is beckoning you for an easy weekend getaway. Photo credit: Tom Genek © Queensland Government

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Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is a hidden gem right on Brisbane’s doorstep! Hidden in plain sight, that is! Photo credit: Tomek Z Genek © Queensland Government

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Rainforest circuit

Take a captivating journey through lush subtropical rainforest and watch for signs of wildlife as you stroll along this circuit.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
2km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
Time suggested
Allow 1hr walking time
Grade
Grade 3 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Journey facilities

  • Walking

Starting at Maiala, wander through a magical forest of strangler figs, ferns, palms, fungi and climbing lianas. Admire the majestic beauty of an old Sydney blue gum, a magnificent survivor of the eucalypt forest that once dominated this area.

Gaze skywards to spy rose-crowned fruit-doves and Macleay's swallowtail butterflies high in the canopy. These butterflies are found only on mountain ranges where their host plant, the canary sassafras, grows in the high-altitude environment. Take time to read the signs along the walk and discover some of Maiala’s hidden wonders.

Pass over crystal-clear creeks before returning to the day-use area for a relaxing picnic.

Take a virtual tour of the Rainforest circuit captured with Google Street View Trekker.

Getting there and getting around

The Rainforest circuit is in the South D'Aguilar section of D'Aguilar National Park, about 42km from Brisbane's city centre.

Access roads are sealed and suitable for conventional (2WD) vehicles.

  • The Rainforest circuit begins from Maiala.
  • From the Brisbane suburb of The Gap, take Mount Nebo Road (tourist route number 8) to Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.
  • Continue north-west along Mount Nebo Road for another 30km to Maiala on the north-west edge of the Mount Glorious township.
  • Alternatively, drive 19km from Samford via Mount Glorious Road to Maiala.

Please refer to the Maiala track map (PDF, 203.2KB) for details of walks in this area.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities on this circuit. The closest wheelchair-accessible facilities are located at Maiala day-use area.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Rainforest circuit is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting D'Aguilar National Park safely and Walk with care.