Brisbane Forest Park

So, I'm standing here in what used to be called Brisbane Forest Park, but it's actually the southern part of D'Aguilar National Park now. It's a pretty massive nature reserve, stretching from the western edge of Brisbane into the City of Moreton Bay. You'll find it on the D'Aguilar Range, right there in Enoggera Reservoir, nestled between Mount Coot-tha and the higher peaks to the north. It's really important for the local plants and animals, keeping them safe and sound. The main way in is through The Gap, though there are a bunch of other access points too.

There are so many waterways that start right here in the park, like the South Pine River, Enoggera Creek, Gold Creek, and Moggill Creek with its tributary, Gap Creek. Also Cabbage Tree Creek and Cedar Creek, which feeds into Kedron Brook. You’ll also find Lake Manchester Dam, Gold Creek Dam, and Enoggera Dam all within the park boundaries.

It's got some interesting history too. The first national park on the D'Aguilar Range, Maiala National Park, was actually declared way back in 1930. The whole idea for this park came from a community group called the Brisbane National & Recreation Park Committee. They did a study in 1973 about setting up a park between Mount Coot-tha and Mount Nebo. At first, the Brisbane City Council was a bit worried about having a public recreation area in a water supply catchment, but they set up a co-ordinating authority to smooth things over. Eventually, an Act of Parliament was passed in 1977, protecting a huge 25,000 hectares. Then, in 2009, Brisbane Forest Park got its new name and became one of two sections of the D'Aguilar National Park.

If you come in through the Mount Nebo Road entrance at The Gap, you'll find the Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre. It's got an information and education center all about Australian wildlife, a big walk-through aviary, aquariums, and enclosures for all sorts of animals, including a section for nocturnal creatures. They even have a pair of satin bowerbirds! You can see so many Australian native birds, a platypus, short-beaked echidnas, feathertail gliders, striped possums, tree kangaroos, swamp wallabies, bare-nosed wombats, spotted-tail quolls, fat-tailed dunnarts, emus, a saltwater crocodile, snakes, lizards, turtles, and even fish, including lungfish. Plus, from here, you can get public access to Enoggera Dam.

It's pretty easy to get around by car, and there are lots of walks you can do. They've even put in boardwalks to protect the area and make it easier for walkers. I hear the walk to Greene's Falls is really nice, taking you through rainforest right up to the top of the waterfall.