Popular Toohey Forest Walking Tracks to Reconnect with Nature

Considered as one of the few remaining “green lungs” in Brisbane, Toohey Forest is not just home to a number of native plants and animals, but it also boasts an extensive network of both paved and unpaved walking tracks.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au*

Toohey Forest was named after James Toohey, an Irish-born who amassed wealth in the California gold rush and bought this land in 1870. His descendants held the land until the Council acquired it in 1945.

Spanning approximately 260 hectares and just 10 kilometres from the CBD, Toohey Forest offers a perfect place for a family outing with a number of barbecue and picnic areas: Gertrude Petty Place, Mt Gravatt Outlook picnic area, and Mayne Estate and Toohey picnic area.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr*

There are 30 intertwining cycling and walking tracks of varying difficulty spread throughout the forest, with the longest track just 3.5 kilometres long and the shortest being just 250 metres.

Toohey Forest ideed has some of the best spots for walking, biking, picnicking or just spending a lazy afternoon. Needless to say, you will be rewarded with marvelous views of Brisbane and its surrounding suburbs from Mt Gravatt Outlook.

Toohey Forest Walking Tracks — *Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / Flickr*

Popular Toohey Forest easy to moderate walking tracks

Nathan Ridge Track – Prepare to spend about one hour walking through this paved 3.5km track that leads from Toohey Ridge and connects to the Griffith University Campus ring road.
Toohey Ridge Track – Rated as easy walking, this three-kilometre track runs from the Toohey picnic area along the ridgeline and leads to the South East Freeway.

Sandstone Circuit – This 750-metre short track begins at the Toohey picnic area then follows a winding path through the forest. This is a moderate walking track with bench seats available to take a breather along the way.
Toohey Mountain Track -The journey along this 1.5km track starts from Mayne Estate picnic area and follows the ridge southwards to Pegg’s Lookout.
Summit Track – Summit track begins at Gertrude Petty Place then leads to Mt Gravatt Outlook. It stretches 1.2 kilometres and will take about 40 minutes to traverse it by walking.

Don’t forget to prepare for slippery and rough tracks by wearing protective footwear. Also, wear a hat and loose, long sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid scratches, bites, and sunburn.