5 Great Spots for this weekends outside adventures!
Living in Brisbane, we are blessed with some of the best weather the nation has to offer. And with such a variety of places we can go with the family, we could create a never ending list of trails, waterfalls, beaches and parks to explore! There are so many benefits for both us and the kids getting outdoors in nature like, improved motor skills, better moods and reduced mental fatigue. We really see outdoor time get the best out of our little ones. The world is our playground! There's a huge list I can add to my favourites and so many spots are still on my bucket list, but I thought I would write about a few of them to share my favourite spots close to home.
Image Source: Mustdobrisbane.com.
Enoggera Reservoir
Located on Mt Nebo Rd at The Gap, this spot is perfect for both summer and winter activities! There's shady trails for walking or bike riding around the dam as well as an allocated swimming area. People are often seen stand up paddle boarding, canoeing or kayaking further out as well. As an added bonus there is a great Wildlife Centre at the dam too where you can learn a few new things about the local flora and fauna and even see a platypus! Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the day in the fresh air!
Image Source: Brisbanekids.com.au
Mt Cootha
I could probably go to Mt Cootha once a week and still never run out of new trails to explore here! The best thing about Mt Cootha is that its so close to home. There are some great trails that can get quite busy, but for good reason. You can walk as far or as short as you want, you might even find a sneaky waterfall along the way as well as lots of cute animals! To choose the best place to start and finish, and how far you want to go, check the Mount Cootha Track Map. There's also a great grassy area and play ground at JC Slaughter Falls where you can bring your lunch or even organise a BBQ for the family and some friends.
Hide n Seek CHILDREN'S Walk - Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens
Again this one is nice and close to home, and there's lots to do and see here! This one is especially designed for the kids, with great educational benefits along the trail! Pick up a map at the start of the trail and get the kids to spot as many things as they can along the way.
Image Source: hinterlandtourism.com.au
Kondalilla Falls
Great for the walking tracks, waterfalls and wildlife! Located near Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, there are a number of short walks here, and a great little waterfall and rock pool you cool off in! If you aren't quite confident with the kids jumping in the creek for a swim just yet, its a great spot to have a picnic lunch after a walk on the gorgeous forest trails.
O'RIelly's - Lamington National Park
Some of my favourite memories are at O'Riellys! The treetop walk and feeding the birds are an absolute must! O'Rielly's is a great spot to learn a lot about the history of the local aboriginal community. It's a place that has great eco-initiatives, a diverse range of wildlife and plantlife and is a great spot to start many wonderful bushwalks in the Lamington National Park. O'Riellys also do a glow worm tour, birds of prey show, wildlife encounter tour and have a giant flying fox! Just be aware, the road is narrow heading up, so just be careful and make sure you leave before it gets too dark.