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Karawatha Forest

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Walk, ride, learn about wildlife and picnic in Karawatha Forest Park. Download the trail map to plan your day.

About Karawatha Forest

Karawatha Forest Park is one of Council’s largest and most significant bushland reserves, covering about 900 hectares.

The area contains a variety of habitats, from freshwater lagoons and sandstone ridges to dry eucalypt forests and wetlands. You can explore the forest via the walking and shared-use tracks. You’ll also find picnic and barbecue facilities, and a nature–play playground. 

Visit the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre to explore and learn about the local wildlife and landscape.

Getting there

Karawatha Forest

Karawatha Forest Park

149 Acacia Road, Karawatha Qld 4177

Open 6am–6pm daily

Travel options

  • The main entry is on Acacia Road.
  • Access the southern part of the forest via Illaweena Street.

There are 2 car parks at Karawatha Forest Park. The main car park is at the Discovery Centre, which you can access via the entry at 149 Acacia Road.

You’ll find a smaller car park near the picnic area at the southern end of the forest. Entry is via Illaweena Street.

Access trails in the forest from the surrounding streets, as shown in the map.

Plan your trip with Translink’s Journey Planner.

Plan your route using our bike paths map.

Plan your visit

Karawatha Forest Park is a haven for native plants and wildlife.

Help preserve natural areas when visiting.

  • Keep your dog on a leash.
  • Put all dog waste and rubbish into a bin.
  • Don't touch any of the plants or animals.
  • Follow signage and keep to existing tracks.
mdi information outline

Note

Find out what else you can do to protect our natural areas.

For your own safety:

  • Avoid using the trails on your own, in case of an emergency.
  • Wear a hat, sunscreen and comfortable footwear.
  • Carry water, a track map and your mobile phone.
  • Always let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to be back.
  • Take care on tracks, as some tracks cross creek lines and may be unsafe to cross after heavy rain.

Learn about the significance of Karawatha Forest Park and everything it has to offer at the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre.

You’ll find educational exhibits, interactive displays and a virtual bird’s-eye view of the forest.

Visit the centre for nature-based workshops and activities, and explore Queensland’s first nature-play space. You can also pick up your free native plants from the nursery.

Karawatha Forest Park offers more than 42 kilometres of walking and shared-use tracks for walking and riding.

Choose from 30 easy, moderate and hard walking tracks, ranging from 488 metres to 2.6 kilometres.

Download the track map to view the track types, locations, grading and lengths.

Keen to explore more of Brisbane? Find other running and walking trails.

Pack a picnic to enjoy on the sprawling lawn of the Discovery Centre or at one of the picnic areas:

  • Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre picnic area, includes electric barbecues and sheltered seating
  • Illaweena Street picnic area, includes sheltered seating by the creek.

More than 200 species of wildlife find refuge in Karawatha Forest Park.

This includes:

  • Brisbane’s highest diversity of frog species, such as the vulnerable wallum froglet and tusked frog
  • rare, threatened and endangered animals, including the glossy black-cockatoo, powerful owl, koala and greater glider
  • nearly 120 bird species, including parrots and owls
  • gliders, possums and bats.

Karawatha Forest forms part of the largest remaining stretch of open eucalypt bushland in South East Queensland. 

You’ll also see various plants and habitat, including:

  • more than 320 native plant species, such as Bailey’s stringybark and Planchon’s stringybark
  • melaleuca wetlands and uncommon wet heathlands
  • sandstone ridges from the Triassic-Jurassic age 
  • freshwater lagoons.

Frequently asked questions

You can ride a mountain bike on designated trails in Karawatha Forest.

Follow the rules to keep yourself and other trail users safe.

  • Always wear a helmet.
  • Slow down for corners.
  • Control your speed and avoid skidding.
  • Keep left and let others know when you’re passing.
  • Give way to pedestrians on shared tracks.
  • Avoid riding on walking tracks or going off-track.
  • Dismount and walk your bike through picnic areas.

Download the track map to find the shared use trails.

Yes, leashed dogs are allowed in Karawatha Forest. 

You must keep your dog on a leash at all times and pick up after it.