How to do D'Aguilar National Park

We see your weekend plans and raise you D’Aguilar National Park – the 36,000-hectare national park hiding on Brisbane’s doorstep.

This leafy part of the world starts just 15 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD and extends about 95 minutes’ drive to the north.

Although the transport time to find D’Aguilar National Park from Brisbane might not be significant, you can bet the landscape change from the city is.

Expect a combination of sub-tropical rainforests, eucalypt woodlands and scribbly gum forests, packaged between the Glasshouse Mountains, Mount Nebo and Mount Mee.

Start planning your weekend wandering from Brisbane, with this guide.

What’s so special about D’Aguilar National Park

A visit to D’Aguilar National Park promises two distinct sections – south and north – which promise two completely different visitor experiences in the one national park.

That said, most visitors accessing this national park via the Brisbane suburb of The Gap, just 12km from the city entre.

From the minute you hit Mount Nebo Road you’ll feel worlds away, forgoing traffic lights for D’Aguilar’s green, lush, rainforest scenery.

It’s the combination of a short, but scenic drive, that makes this park so popular with families – along with the fact there’s plenty of places to stop to take in the view along the way – Camp Mountain Lookout, Somerset Lookout and Wivenhoe Outlook to name a few.  

The trails of D’Aguilar National Park

All trails lead to lookouts in this national park, whose elevation gives this national park views over Moreton Bay.

There’s plenty of trails to choose from – whether you’re new to hiking or your boots could be described as ‘well-seasoned’.

You don’t need to explore D’Aguilar National Park’s trails on foot either – 4WD, trail bike riding, horse and mountain bike riding are all equally accepted modes of transport on these trails.

For more information about which trail to take, pay a visit to the Walkabout Creek Visitor Information Centre as you enter the park and find which trail is for you.

The flora and fauna of D’Aguilar National Park

To the naked eye it might look like you’re walking through open eucalypt forest, scribbly gums and lush sub-tropical forests, but if you look a little closer, there’s actually more than 800 plant species in this national park.

As you climb higher, you’ll notice the forest change as the altitude and rainfall increases across the region.

Pack your binoculars for twitching, you can expect to see the likes of bowerbirds, wompoo fruit-doves, bell liners and even black cockatoos, among the other 240 birds recorded in this park.

There’s no shortage of mammals either – 66 to be precise – including echidnas, pademelons and even a small number of koalas have been spotted here.

Best photo spots in D’Aguilar National Park

You’ll want to pack your camera for the photo opportunities in this national park. For the best of the best, pull up at Jollys Lookout for panoramic views over the D’Aguilar Range.

Jollys Lookout is the oldest lookout on the range, taking in views of Glass House Mountains, Samford Valley, Moreton Bay and the bay islands.

Make a morning out of your photo-stop with a picnic among the facilities which include tables, BBQs and loos for the perfect family-friendly day out.

Where to stay in D’Aguilar National Park

If you prefer to sleep among the action, there are two designated camping areas in the Mount Mee section of this national park, which both come with toilets and in the case of Archer Camping Area, showers too.

For camping that’s more off the grid, there are nine remote bush campsites accessible in the South D’Aguilar section, which will require you to walk everything in and out.

Either campsite you choose, take note, the windy roads of the national park make caravans a no-go, although some small off-road camper trailers may set up at Neurum Creek Camping Area.

If you prefer your accommodation with solid foundations, four walls and private bathroom, there’s a range of holiday accommodation around Mount Glorious, Samford and Dayboro.

Of course, you’re easily within a day trip of Brisbane if you want to make Queensland’s capital home base too.

Local tips and tricks

If you’re visiting in summer – pack your swimmers!

There’s a number of bush rock pools in D’Aguilar National Park to reward your bush walk.

Our pick is Rocky Hole, which is only 200m return – perfect for a quick dip among the surrounding forest. Note, there are no facilities, so you’ll want to wear your swimmers underneath your hiking clothes.

Discover more of D’Aguilar National Park and surrounds with this guide.

Feature image: Visit Moreton Bay Region