About Venman Bushland
- 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 Venman Bushland National Park) (PDF, 283K)*
Venman Bushland National Park is 40 km south of Brisbane city on West Mount Cotton Road. From the Pacific Motorway, take exit 30 and turn onto Beenleigh–Redland Bay Road, then left onto California Creek Road and left onto West Mount Cotton Road. The main entrance to the park is signposted.
Walkers are also able to access the park through a number of gates around the boundary of the park.
Wheelchair accessibility
The toilets and a picnic table are wheelchair accessible. Disabled parking is provided.
Park features
Venman Bushland National Park protects habitat for birds such as the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo. Photo: DERM.
Venman Bushland National Park has been a popular Brisbane recreation area for decades. It was originally private property—owned by local Jack Burnett Venman (1911–1994). Today, this 415 ha park forms part of the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area and is managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment and Resource Management.
- Read more about Jack Venman and the history of this park.
The open forest—a mixture of eucalypt and melaleuca trees and well-developed understorey of flowering shrubs—is home to koalas, ringtail and common brushtail possums, sugar gliders, greater gliders, swamp and red-necked wallabies, powerful owls and many other birds.
The park protects the headwaters of Tingalpa Creek and its tributaries. For most of the year, the creeks are dry or reduced to a string of waterholes, as the creeks flow underground. Frogs, water rats and eastern water dragons live in and around the creeks.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
To protect the natural values of this park, camping is not permitted.
Other accommodation
Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer a wide range of holiday accommodation. For more information see the tourism information links.
Things to do
Enjoy bushwalking along one of the two walking trails provided in Venman Bushland National Park. Photo: Adam Creed, DERM.
Walking
- Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA) map (including Venman Bushland National Park) (PDF, 283K)*
Venman Bushland National Park has two signposted tracks to explore.
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 3
- Gently sloping, well-defined trail with slight inclines and few steps.
- Caution needed on loose gravel surfaces and exposed natural lookouts.
- Reasonable level of fitness and ankle-supporting footwear required.
The walking trails are designed to be walked in a clockwise direction.
Tingalpa Creek circuit—2.5 km circuit (allow 1.5 hrs)
Meander beside Tingalpa Creek and discover the many plants and animals that this bushland refuge supports.
Venman circuit—7.5km (allow 4 hrs)
This trail winds along the scenic banks of Tingalpa Creek, through melaleuca swamp and into open eucalypt forests. The Venman circuit links to a network of multiple-use trails within the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area.
Mountain-bike riding and horseriding
Mountain-bike riding and horseriding are not permitted in Venman Bushland National Park; however, the Venman circuit links to a network of multiple-use trails within the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (PDF, 283K)*.
Picnic and day-use areas
Picnic tables, wood barbecues and firewood are provided. Tap water is available; however, this water is unsuitable for drinking unless boiled for five minutes or treated with sterilisation tablets. There are no rubbish bins provided; please take rubbish home.
Viewing wildlife
Red-necked wallabies can often be seen in the picnic area. Please do not feed them or leave food for them. Feeding wild animals can make them sick and can cause them to become aggressive towards people.
The forest is home to many different birds and is a good area for birdwatching. It may even be possible to glimpse the rarely-seen powerful owl.
Spring is the best time to see the wildflowers.
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.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent, for protection from the sun and biting insects.
- Drinking water, especially in summer. Tap water should be boiled or treated with sterilisation tablets before drinking. Do not drink the creek water.
- Rubbish bags to take rubbish home—no bins are provided.
- Sturdy shoes for walking.
- Binoculars to help spot koalas and other wildlife.
Permits and fees
For groups wishing to conduct activities in the park, a group activity permit is required. This form contains information about fees payable and where to send your completed application.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Venman Bushland National Park.
Climate and weather
Brisbane enjoys a mild, subtropical climate. The average daily temperature range is 22–30 °C in summer 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 Loganholme and other nearby suburbs of Brisbane.
Staying safe
- Bring enough water for your visit. All water collected 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 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.
See caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Venman Bushland National Park is part of Queensland’s first coordinated conservation area—the Koala Bushland Coordinated Conservation Area (KBCCA). The conservation area links Venman Bushland National Park, Daisy Hill Conservation 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 (QPWS) of the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Logan City Council and Redland City Council are working together to protect and cooperatively manage the KBCCA.
The national park is managed in accordance with the Venman Bushland National Park Management Plan (PDF, 542K)*.
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
Department of Environment and Resource Management
Daisy Hill Koala Centre
Daisy Hill Road
PO Box 5116, Daisy Hill Qld 4127
email koala.centre@derm.qld.gov.au
Open 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily. Call on public holidays to check if the centre will be open.
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Last updated 8 February 2012