The best hikes from bus stations in Queensland

The Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout sits at an elevation of 287 meters above sea level and has breathtaking views across the Brisbane skyline to Moreton Bay. This large viewing platform sits just below the summit at 226 meters. There is a large car park here, access to bushwalking tracks, The Summit Restaurant & Bar, The Summit Café and well maintained public restrooms. This area is open all day every day with no admission fees, and is a great place to watch the sun set.

One look of the panoramic view from here and you'll understand why this was chosen as the command post for the artillery battery that was stationed here during WWII. These days nature has been left to recover much of the site and a large population of koalas has taken up residence and become an attraction of its own.

This is one of the many bunkers, forts, artillery stations, and command centres along the Forts Walk in Magnetic Island National Park. The area was heavily but up as a defensive outpost during WWII and many of the ruins are open for exploration. The forest surrounding the forts is a haven for koalas as well as other wildlife, some more dangerous than others. It's a good idea to keep one eye to the ground while walking here as venomous snakes are as common here, if not more, than the plentiful koalas.

This well--maintained track takes you through the dense forest of Magnetic Island National Park. The path is ostensibly for visiting the WWII era fortifications on the island, but most visitors are here to see the thriving population of koalas that are often seen sleeping in the notches of eucalyptus trees or occasionally munching on the leaves.

Wurrmbu Creek is a quieter swimming spot within Mossman Gorge, where clear water flows over rocks to form smaller, more sheltered pools. Surrounded by dense rainforest, it feels more tucked away than the main river areas and is often less crowded.

This popular swimming spot along the Mossman River sits within Mossman Gorge, where clear water flows over large granite boulders to form natural pools. Surrounded by dense rainforest, it’s a common place to stop for a swim while walking through the gorge. It can get busy during the day, so visiting later in the afternoon is usually quieter.

Rainforest Circuit Track in Mossman Gorge winds through dense, moisture-rich rainforest within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Starting near Rex Creek bridge, the track moves through shaded forest filled with strangler figs, epiphytes, and regular butterfly activity. A small lookout along the way offers views towards Mount Demi, breaking up the enclosed canopy. Conditions are humid year-round, with roots and steps underfoot, so surfaces can be slippery after rain.

This viewpoint offers a clear view of the Brisbane skyline rising above the forest. From here, you can see the city’s cluster of modern towers in the distance beyond an expansive canopy of eucalypt bushland. Gaps in the trees frame the skyline, creating a quiet lookout point along the otherwise shaded bush track.