Visiting natural areas
There are more than 12,500 hectares of parklands in the Brisbane City Council area. This includes more than 7000 hectares of bushland and wetland reserves.
Track maps
Maps of Brisbane's natural area tracks are available for you to download. Track maps are available for:
- Bayside Parklands
- Boondall Wetlands
- Brisbane Koala Bushlands
- Chermside Hills Reserves
- Karawatha Forest
- Mt Coot-tha Forest
- Tinchi Tamba Wetlands
- Toohey Forest
Download the birds of Boondall Wetlands brochure and checklist.
Bushland events and activities
There are free or low cost events and activities in a natural area near you. Find out about bushland events and activities offered through the Get Wild Program.
Caring for natural areas
When you're visiting a natural area, it's important to protect and care for the environment. Follow these guidelines so that our natural areas can continue to be enjoyed in the future:
- keep to the designated tracks
- dogs disturb wildlife so it is best to leave them at home
- all plants and animals are protected, take photos only
- please don't feed the wildlife
- watch wildlife from a distance - don't disturb shorebirds as it causes them stress and they may not survive their migratory journeys
- fires are permitted in designated fireplaces only
- take your rubbish home with you
- check shoes and socks for seed or plant material to prevent the spread of weeds
Staying safe when visiting natural areas
- wear a hat and sunscreen
- always carry water
- stay on the designated tracks and take care
- wear comfortable clothing and closed in footwear
- take insect repellent
- when cycling, wear a helmet, knee pads and other protective equipment
- when canoeing, wear a lifejacket, paddle with a partner and only canoe in daylight
- it's not safe to canoe in floods or after heavy rainfall
Managing Brisbane's natural areas
The major threats to our natural areas include weeds, fire, pest animals (such as feral cats), uncontrolled domestic pets and illegal dumping.
The Council is responsible for managing programs to control these threats. You can help to protect Brisbane's natural areas by:
- not dumping any waste in natural areas - dumping increases the spread of weeds and can also potentially spread fire ants
- if you take a dog into a natural area, keep them on a leash and clean up after them
- managing the weeds in your home garden to reduce the risk of weeds spreading to bushland areas
- if you see someone dumping waste in a natural area report it to the Council on 07 3403 8888
More information
- learn more about how to control the spread of weeds
- if you live close to a natural area take action to prevent fire
- find out more about natural areas around Brisbane
