Day Walk – Daisy Hill Koala Park Circuit, 2025
Activity: Day Walk – Daisy Hill Koala Park Circuit, 2025
Date: Sunday, 21 September, 2025
Description: The Daisy Hill Conservation Park (along with neighbouring protected areas) protects a significant area of koala habitat in South East Queensland. The day-use area is also home to The Daisy Hill Koala Centre. The facility is a koala education centre (KEC), providing information on the needs of koalas and information about conservation efforts. Entry is free, and Rangers are on hand to answer questions.
The walk will begin from the day-use area near the toilet block, down from the KEC. Hopefully, there will be an unused table in the area as a meeting place.
The circuit will head basically in an easterly direction along fire trails, through the Neville Lawry Reserve towards the Ford Avalon Roads Access Point. From here, we turn back in a westerly direction along a different track, visiting the Old Quarry before heading back to the KEC along an old road now closed to general traffic.
The walk is quite undulating, with moderate uphills and one long downhill, passing through a variety of vegetation types from dry forests on the ridge tops (eucalypts) to vegetation preferring the moister conditions in the gullies (paperbarks). A variety of birds inhabit the area, and, if we are lucky, we may spot a koala or two in the treetops.
On our return to the KEC, we’ll enjoy lunch in the day-use area. BYO lunch, drinks and chair, as picnic tables may not be available at this time of day. After lunch, you may like to spend time in the KEC at your leisure, do a local circuit walk or two, or head for home.
Note: The Daisy Hill Conservation Park is NPAQ’s September’s Park of the Month. This walk is supplementary to the main event, which will be held on 13 September. (See separate listing on the website for details).
Walk Grading: Medium. Total walking distance approximately 8–10 km.
Meet – When & Where: 8.30 am at The Daisy Hill Koala Education Centre Day Use Area near the toilets for an 8.45 am start. Carparks 2 & 3 are close by.
What to Bring: Hat, 2 litres of water, jacket, rain gear (just in case), torch, insect repellent, morning tea, lunch.
Directions: Travel south from Brisbane along the M1 through Springwood. Just south of Springwood, turn left into Old Chatswood Road then turn right at the roundabout into Chatswood Road. After a couple of km, turn left into Daisy Hill Road and follow the signs to the Daisy Hill Education Centre/Conservation Park.
Alternatively, travel a little further south and take Exit 24 (Winnetts Road) towards Loganlea Road, Daisy Hill. Follow the signs to Daisy Hill Conservation Park. The Daisy Hill Koala Centre is located within the park, and free parking is available on-site.
Nominations: Via NPAQ Website.
Leader: Frank Freeman Ph: (07) 3824 3954. Mob: 0427 655 514 Email: frank_fr@bigpond.net.au
NPAQ Activity Report
Daisy Hill Circuit – Day Walk
Sunday, 21 September, 2025
Around 8.45am, five walkers left the Daisy Hill Education Centre Picnic Area and entered the tall timbers of the surrounding eucalypt forests. Following the wider fire-tracks to avoid conflict with the many cyclists on narrower trails, the group were protected from the sun’s rays by the thick foliage. A number of burnt areas were noted, the result of recent controlled burn-offs.
Considering the wet autumn/winter just passed, the tracks were in good condition with minimal erosion and fewer loose stones than expected. After one wrong turn, the group, reached the banks of the old quarry and paused to enjoy the scenery and morning tea. The quarry was near full of water with about half of the surface covered by water lilies encouraging photos of the near idyllic scene. Unfortunately, there were few waterbirds on the lake, possibly because a number of people were enjoying a swim.
After a leisurely break, the group wended its way back to the starting point along the old quarry road to enjoy lunch together before heading off to their respective homes.