THE Redlands is known for its natural landscapes, and the warm summer months are one of the best times to enjoy them.
Bushwalking is a leisurely, family-friendly and free activity for the school holidays, and an easy way to occupy an afternoon in the shade.
Venman National Park
Where: West Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton
About the trail: The national park has two trails, catering for different time limits and skill levels. The Tingalpa creek circuit runs for 2.5 kilometres, taking about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. The Venman circuit is 7.5 kilometres long, and takes about four hours. Both tracks are unsealed, with some rocky terrain and small hills.
What you’ll see: The national park is home to native animal species including possums, koalas, sugar gliders, wallabies and many species of bird. Both trails follow the banks of Tingalpa creek and through melaleuca swampland and eucalypt forests. The Venman track also connects to trails in the koala bushland conservation area.
Find out more: npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/venman-bushland/
Naree Budjong Djara National Park
Where: Access via Blue Lake car park, Alfred Martin Way, North Stradbroke Island
About the trail: The Blue Lake walking track is 5.2 kilometres long, taking about two hours at a leisurely pace. In summer, the loose sand track may be hot.
What you’ll see: Blue Lake is a haven for bird life, including lorikeets, honeyeaters and varities of waterbirds. The track also includes a number of lookout points offering views over the lake. Around the lake, native plants like including eucalypts and banksias grow.
Find out more: stradbrokeisland.com/
Bayview Conservation Area
Where: Enter at the end of Kidd Street, Redland Bay.
About the trail: The You’re Kidding trail is one of many in the 10 square kilometre Bayview conservation area. The trail runs for 3.2 kilometres, and is an easy walking trail, with firm terrain.
What you’ll see: The trail covers a range of unique landscapes and environments, including casuarina forests, wetlands and open grass tree forests. Look out for rock gardens and large fallen trees.
Find out more: redland.qld.gov.au/
Indigiscapes
Where: Redlands Indigiscapes Centre, Runnymede Road, Capalaba
About the trail: The Indigiscapes centre has three short, easy walking trails, which can all be done in an afternoon. The Wildflower Walk takes about 20 minutes, and is wheelchair accessible.
What you’ll see: The Wildflower Walk allows sightings of significant Redlands landmarks including a 400-year-old heritage-listed Tallowwood tree and Coolnwynpin creek.
Find out more: indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au/
Coochiemudlo Trail
Where: Enter from Coochiemudlo Jetty, Coochiemudlo Island.
About the trail: The Coochiemudlo trail runs for five kilometres in the island’s bushland, with sections on the beach.The track is partly paved, and has dirt and sand sections. It is mostly flat, apart from one steep hill.
What you’ll see: The trail meanders through melaleuca wetlands and pine groves, emerging at points to overlook the beach. It also passes Flinders’ landing site, and trees scarred from canoe-making.