Daisy Hill Conservation Park
Getting there and getting around
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is easily accessed from Brisbane or the Gold Coast via the Pacific Motorway (M1). From the Gold Coast, travel north along the Pacific Motorway and take exit 25. Travelling south from Brisbane along Pacific Motorway, take exit 24 and follow the signs.
Two large day-use areas are accessible with conventional vehicles.
Wheelchair accessibility
Carpark one at the lower day-use area has parking for people with wheelchairs, and wheelchair access to picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. The Daisy Hill Koala Centre is wheelchair accessible.
Carpark three has parking for people with wheelchairs, and wheelchair access to under-cover seating, barbecues and toilets.
The Paperbark trail is suitable for wheelchairs with some assistance. It starts at the lower day-use area, accessible from carpark three.
Park features
Daisy Hill Conservation Park features eucalypt forest and paperbark wetlands. Two large day-use areas provide picnic and barbecue facilities, with the lower day-use area offering two under-cover seating areas. Signposted walking tracks begin at various points along the edge of the picnic areas and there are opportunities for cycling and horse riding.
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is an important part of one of Australia’s most significant regional koala populations. Daisy Hill Koala Centre offers the opportunity to see koalas up close and learn about protecting these unique animals and their habitat. Interactive displays are a feature of the centre. There are also souvenirs for sale.
The surrounding forest is home to about 130 koalas providing great opportunities for spotting koalas in the trees throughout the day-use areas and along walking tracks.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Camping is not permitted in Daisy Hill Conservation Park.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation available in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
Daisy Hill Conservation Park offers the chance to explore tall eucalypt forests, melaleuca wetlands and the billabongs along Buhot creek. Each track is classified according to Australian Standards. Before setting out on a walk, visit the Daisy Hill Koala Centre and pick up a track guide.
Key to track standards
Class 2 track
- Easy, level, well-graded track, suitable for all fitness levels.
Class 3 track
- Gently sloping, well-defined track with slight inclines or few steps.
- Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
- Reasonable level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Class 4 track
- Distinct track usually with steep exposed inclines or many steps.
- Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
- Moderate level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
Paperbark trail — 450m return (Allow 10 minutes) Class 2
Suitable for wheelchairs with some assistance, this well graded track and boardwalk starts near carpark three in the lower day-use area. It winds through melaleuca wetlands fed by a natural spring. Read the interpretive signs to find out more about this wetland area. Mountain biking and horse riding are prohibited on this track.
Tree discovery trail — 800m return (Allow 30 minutes) Class 3
Identify and learn about different forest trees on this self-guided walk that starts near carpark four in the lower day-use area. Mountain biking and horse riding are prohibited on this track.
Spotted gum trail — 4km return (1.5 hours) Class 3
Branching off the Tree discovery trail, this track follows a gently undulating ridgeline through eucalypt forest dominated by spotted gum. Mountain biking and horse riding are permitted on this track.
Stringybark trail — 5.7km return (2 hours) Class 3
Start this walk from the upper day-use area and discover the various plant communities within the Buhot Creek catchment. Look out for red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies and various birds along the way. Mountain biking and horse riding are permitted on this track.
Buhot Creek circuit — 9km return (3.5 hours) Class 4
Branching off the Stringybark trail, the Buhot Creek circuit explores Daisy Hill Conservation Park and adjoining Neville Lawrie Reserve. Take your time by tranquil waterholes and enjoy views from the old quarry. Mountain biking and horse riding are permitted on this track.
Ranger-guided tours and talks
Connect with Nature events calendar (previously known as Go Bush)
Connect with Nature activities and events are run throughout south-east Queensland. Activities include bushwalks, birdwalks, evening activities, children’s school holiday activities and field skills workshops.
- Find out more about Connect with Nature activities and events.
Connect with Nature schools program
A wide range of curriculum based environmental education activities is available for primary and secondary school groups. The program gives students the opportunity to experience Queensland’s natural environment and cultural heritage through ranger-guided activities.
- Find out more about the Connect with Nature schools program
Picnic and day-use areas
Lower and upper day-use areas
Enjoy a picnic or barbecue under the gumtrees in one of the two large day-use areas.
The lower day-use area is set in grassy open forest and can be accessed via a sealed ring road. There is parking for cars and buses. Picnic tables, wood barbecues, toilets, two shelter sheds and water (treat before drinking) are provided and there is suitable access for wheelchairs and strollers.
The upper day-use area is smaller and popular with horse riders. It can be accessed by turning right before the main gates. Picnic tables, wood barbecues, toilets, a horse corral and drinking trough are provided. The large gravel carpark is suitable for horse floats.
No bins are provided at Daisy Hill Conservation Park so please take your rubbish with you.
Shelter shed reservations
You can book the large shelter shed near carpark four, which has four picnic tables, and two barbecues. Water (treat before drinking) and toilets are located nearby. Bookings are essential and fees apply. Contact the Daisy Hill Koala Centre for more information, to check available dates and to make a temporary booking.
Wedding venues
Exchange your wedding vows surrounded by towering grey gums in one of two picturesque sites available for reservation.
The Grey Gum site, located off carpark five, offers a private setting suitable for weddings with up to 100 guests. Facilities include a small shelter for the ceremony and log seating. This venue is wheelchair accessible.
The Forest Amphitheatre, located off carpark one, is suitable for small groups with seating for up to 40 adults. A timber boardwalk winds its way to the covered amphitheatre, making an ideal aisle. The site has basic lighting, power and wheelchair access. As car spaces are limited, car-pooling is encouraged. A permit does not entitle the holder to reserve any car spaces.
Bookings for the Grey Gum site or the Forest Amphitheatre are essential and fees apply. Contact the Daisy Hill Koala Centre for more information, to check available dates and to make a temporary booking.
- See Frequently asked questions for more wedding information.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
At the Daisy Hill Koala Centre you can see live koalas and talk to rangers and volunteers about this furry Australian icon. Spend some time looking around the centre to find out interesting facts about their habitat, diet and life-cycle, and learn what you can do to help protect them. Climb the treetop tower and look for wild koalas in the surrounding forest.
Viewing koalas
Koalas are a threatened species in the south-east Queensland bioregion, which stretches from the New South Wales border north to Gladstone and west to Toowoomba. In March 2004, the koala was listed as a vulnerable species because of a significant decline in the numbers of animals in the wild.
Koalas are common throughout the rest of Queensland but this could change unless care is taken to protect their remaining habitat and reduce some of the threats posed by people. Many koalas are killed or injured by vehicle strikes or dog attacks, some drown in backyard pools and others are killed by disease or natural predators.
In October 2006 the Koala Plan came into effect. This plan aims to stop the decline in koala numbers by setting out strategies to encourage the species’ recovery.
During your time at Daisy Hill, look closely for sleeping koalas in the treetops.
Viewing other wildlife
The eucalypt forest of Daisy Hill Conservation Park is dominated by spotted gum, grey gum, ironbark, tallowwood and stringybark. It provides a habitat for a wide range of wildlife including koalas, possums, wallabies, birds and reptiles. While you enjoy a picnic, look for pied butcherbirds, pied currawongs, Australian magpies, sulphur-crested cockatoos and laughing kookaburras and listen for the distinctive “whip” call of the eastern whipbird. During the warmer months (October to March) the loud “cooee” of the common koel and the raucous call of the channel-billed cuckoo echo through the forest. Watch for fantails and fairy-wrens along the walking tracks and look for sacred kingfishers and eastern water dragons near creeks and waterholes. Late in the afternoons, red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies can be seen in the day-use areas.
Join a ranger on a spotlight walk as part of the Connect with Nature events calendar (previously known as Go Bush) and find out about nocturnal animals such as wallabies, koalas, possums, gliders and bandicoots. Bookings are essential.
- Find out more about Connect with Nature activities and events.
Horse riding and mountain biking
You can take a leisurely horse or mountain bike ride through Daisy Hill Conservation Park on all tracks except the Paperbark trail and the Tree discovery trail. Horses must not be taken into day-use areas in the park. Riding is also permitted in adjacent council lands, but not in Venman Bushland National Park. A special permit is not required unless it is a commercial activity, an organised group activity or a competitive event.
Visit the Daisy Hill Koala Centre before setting out on a ride and pick up a track guide.
Ride safely
- Always wear a helmet.
- Plan ahead, ride within your ability and according to track conditions.
- Slow down and consider other track users.
- Avoid riding in large groups.
- Avoid skidding and sliding around turns — this may result in a collision with other track users and personal injury.
- Avoid riding on soft, wet and muddy tracks.
- Stay on track and do not take shortcuts or form new tracks, as this damages the environment and causes erosion.
- Respect areas closed to riding.
- Most walking tracks are closed to horse and mountain bike access.
- Carry a mobile phone if possible.
When using tracks, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders and alert others when approaching.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- No bins are provided so bring rubbish bags and take your rubbish with you. Film canisters are good for cigarette butts.
- Bring your own drinking water. All water collected at the park must be boiled before drinking.
- Bring binoculars to help spot koalas and other wildlife.
- Protect yourself from the sun and biting insects. Wear protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Wear sturdy shoes and take drinking water when walking or riding.
Opening hours
Daisy Hill Conservation Park has entry and exit gates which are locked each evening.
Between 15 March and 14 October the gates are open from 7am to 5.30pm. For the rest of the year the gates are open from 7am to 6.30pm.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre is open daily from 10am to 4pm. Contact the centre on public holidays to check if it is open.
Permits and fees
Go Bush and Connect with Nature activities
Fees are charged for ranger-guided Go Bush and Connect with Nature activities.
Grey Gum Site, Forest Amphitheatre or shelter shed bookings
A group activity permit is needed and fees apply. You will need to complete a group activity permit application form. This form contains information about fees payable and where to send your completed application.
Contact the Daisy Hill Koala Centre for permit enquiries, to check available dates and to make a temporary booking before you complete an application form.
Pets
Dogs are permitted in Daisy Hill Conservation Park but must be on a leash at all times.
Climate and weather
Brisbane has a mild, subtropical climate. In summer the average daily temperature range is 22 to 30 degrees Celsius and 12 to 22 degrees Celsius in winter. For more information see the tourism information links below. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Daisy Hill and throughout Brisbane.
Staying safe
- Bring enough drinking water for your visit — all water collected within the park should be boiled or treated before drinking.
- Take care when using barbecues — use wood provided only within the barbecue facilities and put the fire out with water. Supervise children to avoid burn injuries. Observe fire bans and prohibitions.
- Stay on the tracks and observe signs to avoid becoming lost.
- Carry water, food, a first-aid kit, mobile phone and a park guide map when walking, especially on longer walks.
- Always let a responsible person know where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen and avoid walking in the middle of the day.
- If you see a snake, leave it alone and keep well clear.
- Keep away from creek banks. They may collapse under foot.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
- Take your rubbish with you when you leave.
- Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm native wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive.
- Obey signs and regulations — they are in place to protect this area for conservation and nature-based recreation.
See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Daisy Hill Conservation Park was gazetted as a conservation park in 2006. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages this area for the purposes of nature conservation and nature-based recreation.
Daisy Hill Conservation Park is part of Queensland’s first coordinated conservation area, the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA). The conservation area links Daisy Hill Conservation Park, Venman Bushland National Park and local council areas (Neville Lawrie Reserve, Don and Christine Burnett Conservation Area and Ford Road Conservation Area) to provide a combined area of 1170ha of natural bushland. This area protects one of the most intact natural koala habitats between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Logan City Council and Redland Shire Council are working together to protect the KBCCA.
Tourism information links
- Brisbane Visitor Information Centre
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- www.visitbrisbane.com.au
- Queen Street Mall, Brisbane QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3006 6290
- fax (07) 3006 6250
- email visit@brisbanemarketing.com.au
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
Contact usLast updated: 09 June 2009
