About Daisy Hill
- Getting there and getting around
- Park features
- Camping and accommodation
- Things to do
- Things to know before you go
- Staying safe
- Looking after the park
- Park management
- Tourism information links
- Further information
Getting there and getting around
- Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA) map (including Daisy Hill Conservation Park) (PDF, 283K)*
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 to Daisy Hill Road and the entrance to the park. The two large day-use areas are accessible with conventional vehicles.
There are also a number of gates around the boundary of the park which can be accessed by walkers, mountain-bike riders and horseriders.
Wheelchair accessibility
Car park one in 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.
Car park three in the lower day-use area has parking for people with wheelchairs, and wheelchair access to undercover seating, barbecues and toilets.
The Paperbark trail is a walking trail which is suitable for wheelchairs with some assistance. It starts in the lower day-use area, accessible from car park three.
Park features
Daisy Hill Koala Centre entrance. Photo: DERM.
Daisy Hill Conservation Park features eucalypt forest and paperbark wetlands. Two large day-use areas provide picnic and barbecue facilities with two undercover seating areas. Signposted walking tracks begin at various points along the edge of the picnic areas and there are opportunities for mountain-bike riding and horseriding.
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.
The surrounding forest is home to a population of koalas, providing great opportunities for spotting koalas in the trees throughout the day-use areas and along walking tracks.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
To protect the natural values of Daisy Hill Conservation Park, camping is not permitted.
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.
Things to do
Ride along one of the designated mountain-bike or multiple-use trails. Photo: DERM.
Enjoy horseriding along any of the multiple-use trails or management roads in Daisy Hill Conservation Park.
Photo: Monique Shepherd, DERM.
Walking
- Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA) map (Including Daisy Hill Conservation Park (PDF, 283K)*
Daisy Hill Conservation Park offers the chance to explore tall eucalypt forests, melaleuca wetlands and the billabongs along Buhot Creek.
There are two designated walking trails in the park. Walking is also permitted on all management roads and multiple-use trails in Daisy Hill Conservation Park and KBCCA council reserves unless otherwise signed.
Key to trail standards
The classification system is based on Australian Standards. Please note that while each trail is classified according to its most difficult section, other sections may be easier.
Class 2
- Easy, level, well-graded trail, suitable for all fitness levels.
Class 3
- Gently sloping, well-defined trail 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.
Walking trails (horses and mountain-bikes prohibited)
Walking trails are designed to be walked in a clockwise direction.
Trail |
Classification |
Distance |
Time |
Description |
Paperbark trail |
Class 2 |
450 m | Allow 15 mins | Suitable for wheelchairs with some assistance, this well-graded trail and boardwalk starts near car park 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. |
Tree discovery trail |
Class 3 |
800 m | Allow 30 mins | Identify and learn about different forest trees on this self-guided trail that starts near car park four in the lower day-use area. |
See the multipleuse trails table below for other walking options.
Horseriding and mountain-bike riding
- Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA) map (Including Daisy Hill Conservation Park (PDF, 283K)*
Mountain-bike riding and horseriding are permitted on all management roads and multiple-use trails in Daisy Hill Conservation Park and KBCCA council reserves unless otherwise signed. Designated mountain-bike trails are also located in these areas. Each trail entry has a sign indicating which recreational activities are permitted.
Permits are not required for horseriding or mountain-bike riding in Daisy Hill Conservation Park.
Multiple-use trails (walkers, horseriders and mountain-bike riders allowed)
Trail |
Distance |
Time |
Description |
Buhot Creek circuit |
9 km return | Allow 5.5 hrs to walk or 2 hrs to ride | This trail starts from the upper day-use area and allows visitors to explore Daisy Hill Conservation Park and adjoining Neville Lawrie Reserve. Take time by tranquil waterholes and enjoy views from the old quarry. |
Spotted gum trail |
4 km return | Allow 2.5 hrs to walk or 50 mins to ride | Branching off the Buhot Creek circuit, this trail follows a gently undulating ridgeline through eucalypt forest dominated by spotted gums. |
Stringybark trail |
5.7 km return | Allow 3.5 hrs to walk or 1 hr to ride | This trail starts from the upper day-use area and meaders through the various plant communities with Buhot Creek catchment. Red-necked wallabies, swamp wallabies and various birds may be seen along the way. |
4 |
1.8 km one way | ||
5 |
870 m one way | ||
6 |
1.9 km one way | ||
7 |
1.3 km one way | ||
8 |
1.9 km one way |
Mountain-bike trails (horses and walkers prohibited)
Trail |
Distance |
1 |
700 m one way |
2 |
530 m one way |
3 |
1.4 km one way |
9 |
565 m one way |
Ride safely
- Always wear a helmet.
- Plan ahead, ride within your ability and according to trail conditions.
- Slow down or stop when approaching other trail users. Follow the give-way code.
- Avoid riding in large groups—keep groups to fewer than 12.
- Avoid skidding and sliding around turns—this may result in collision with other trail users and injury.
- Avoid riding during and after rain when tracks are soft, wet and muddy.
- Stay on marked trails—riding over vegetation, taking shortcuts and forming new trails damages plants and wildlife habitat.
- Respect areas closed to riding.
Follow the give-way code
 |
|
Guided tours and talks
The Connect with Nature program offers a range of nature-based activities and events every season for adults, children and families in and around parks and forests throughout Brisbane, the Western Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast and hinterland.
- Download the Brisbane, Western Scenic Rim and Gold Coast and hinterland Connect with Nature activities and events calendar (PDF, 489K)*.
The Connect with Nature schools program features environmental education activities run in Daisy Hill Conservation Park. The program is designed to suit the school curriculum and gives students the opportunity to experience Queensland's natural environment and cultural heritage through ranger-guided activities.
- Download the Connect with Nature schools program (PDF, 109K)*.
Picnic and day-use areas
Lower and upper day-use areas
Picnics or barbecues can be enjoyed under the gum trees 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 horseriders. 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 bitumen car park can accomodate parking for 30 cars and has two designated horse-trailer sites.
No bins are provided at Daisy Hill Conservation Park so please take your rubbish home.
Shelter shed reservations
The large shelter shed near car park four in the lower day-use area can be reserved for exclusive use. Bookings are essential and fees apply. For further information about the shelter shed and how to make a reservation see venues for hire.
Wedding venues
Wedding vows can be exchanged surrounded by towering grey gums in one of two picturesque sites—Grey Gum and the Forest Amphitheatre—available for reservation. For further information see venues for hire.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
At the Daisy Hill Koala Centre there are live koalas and it is possible to talk to rangers and volunteers about this furry Australian icon. The centre is a great place to find out interesting facts about koala's habitat, diet and life cycle, and learn what to do to help protect them. The treetop tower lets visitors look for wild koalas in the surrounding forest.
Viewing 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.
Throughout the day-use areas and along walking tracks visitors may spot a sleeping koala in the treetops.
While enjoying a picnic, pied butcherbirds, pied currawongs, Australian magpies, sulphur-crested cockatoos and laughing kookaburras can be seen and the distinctive 'whip' call of the eastern whipbird is often heard.
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.
Fantails and fairy-wrens are common along the walking trails and sacred kingfishers and eastern water dragons occur near creeks and waterholes. Late in the afternoons, red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies can be seen in the day-use areas.
See the description of the park’s natural environment for more details about Daisy Hill Conservation Park’s local koala population.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Rubbish bags to take rubbish home—no bins are provided.
- Drinking water—all water collected at the park must be boiled or treated with sterilisation tablets before drinking.
- Protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent, for protection from the sun and biting insects.
- Sturdy shoes for walking or riding.
- Binoculars to help spot koalas and other wildlife.
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 7.00 am to 5.30 pm. For the rest of the year the gates are open from 7.00 am to 6.30 pm.
The Daisy Hill Koala Centre is open daily from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Contact the centre on public holidays to check if it is open.
Permits and fees
Grey Gum site, Forest Amphitheatre and Shelter Shed bookings
Bookings are essential and fees apply. You must apply for a group activity permit using the application form. This form contains information about fees payable and where to send your completed application. See venues for hire for further information about booking any of these sites.
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 22–30 °C and 12–22 °C in winter.
For more information see the tourism information links. 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 water for your visit. All water collected at the park should be boiled or treated with sterilisation tablets before drinking.
- Take care when using barbecues. Only use wood provided 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 trails and observe signs to avoid getting lost.
- Carry water, food, a first-aid kit, mobile phone and a 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 and riding in the middle of the day.
- If you see a snake, leave it alone and keep clear.
- Keep away from creek banks; they may collapse under foot.
- Be aware that trails can be slippery, especially after rain.
- Obey signs and regulations—they are in place to protect you and the park.
- Reduce theft by removing valuables from your vehicle and taking them with you.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
- Do not take or disturb plants or animals. Everything in the park is protected.
- Stay on the designated trails. Shortcutting causes erosion, damages vegetation and can potentially result in injury.
- Remove all rubbish. No bins are provided.
- Let animals find their own food. Human food can make native animals susceptible to disease, and can cause overpopulation and aggressive behaviour.
- Show consideration for other park users and keep noise to a minimum.
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) of the Deparment of Environment and Resource Management, 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 1170 ha 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 City Council are working together to protect and cooperatively manage the KBCCA.
Tourism information links
Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre
www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Queen Street Mall (between Albert and Edward streets) Brisbane Qld 4002
ph (07) 3006 6290
email visit@brisbanemarketing.com.au
Beenleigh Information and Booking Centre
www.logan.qld.gov.au
205 Main Street Beenleigh Qld 4207
ph (07) 3287 1377
email beenleighinfo@logan.qld.gov.au
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
Daisy Hill Road, Daisy Hill
PO Box 5116, Daisy Hill Qld 4127
email koala.centre@derm.qld.gov.au
Open 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily. Open on some public holidays; please contact us in advance to check.
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Last updated 14 July 2011