Parks Connect is proudly supported through funding from the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
Note: This event is now finished. Please see bit.ly/QldPOTM for the current Park of the Month event.
MARCH 2026 PARK OF THE MONTH
Featuring some World Science Festival DIGITAL DETOX walks…
Samford Conservation Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Taylor Range, just 20 minutes from Brisbane, Samford Conservation Park protects a mosaic of open eucalypt forest, riparian corridors and shaded gullies that tell the ecological story of Brisbane’s western ranges.
Once part of a wider forested landscape that stretched from Enoggera to Mount Nebo, this protected area remains a vital refuge for wildlife in an increasingly urbanised corridor. Ironbark, grey gum, stringybark and brush box canopy the ridges, while the creek lines support lush pockets of ferns and vines. These habitats shelter a surprising diversity of native fauna, including wallabies, short-beaked echidnas, gliders, forest kingfishers and the region’s emblematic powerful owl. The park’s walking and mountain-biking trails weave through these environments, offering visitors the chance to explore the natural textures of the Brisbane hinterland—its ancient geology, dry forest scents and vibrant birdlife. Samford Conservation Park’s proximity to Samford Village makes it an accessible escape for locals seeking nature connection, and the park plays an important role as a green buffer linking the D’Aguilar Range to peri-urban communities.
Please read more about Samford Conservation Park HERE.
Check out all the fun we had at Samford CP on 28 March!
Discover. Connect. Protect. Enjoy
Park of the Month is a key initiative of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and NPAQ’s Parks Connect program. We’re passionate about parks, and by sharing decades of knowledge from committed volunteers, conservationists and National Park Rangers with local communities and visitors, we hope Queenslanders from all walks of life will fall in love with our amazing wild places.
Birdwatching with Birds Queensland
The usual suspects applied for the birdwatching, with our ever-present cackling kookaburras, noisy minors and Australian brush-turkey all making an appearance. But we also learned a lot about raptors, whipbirds and songbird species, and spotted some in the undergrowth. Plus, we gave the elbows a good workout, using binoculars. Special thanks to Paul Marty and Sue Foley from Birds Queensland for sharing their knowledge and birdwatching guides and tools. Check out their organisation and get involved HERE.
QPWS Talk with Ranger Andrew
Ranger Andrew came along to help explain the complex management of a park so entwined with everyday life in the periurban suburbs of a major city, including weed and pest management, fire management and working with multiple stakeholders who visit the park. Thanks, Ranger Andrew and team, for doing a great job out there on park day in and day out. Find out more about this park’s natural and cultural values on the QPWS site HERE.
Welcome to Country with Aunty Kathryn
Aunty Kathryn from Turrbal Dippil welcomed us all to this special place on Turrbal Country and shared her tips for connecting with Country, walking quietly and safely, and working together to help look after the landscapes that look after us.
Thank you, Aunty Kathy, for your wisdom, your generosity of spirit and for sharing your time and your culture.
Digital Detox: Plant Discovery Walk
Expert Paul Donatiu from the Queensland Threatened Plant Network led us on a walk of the Crebra Circuit (named after Eucalyptus crebra, which dominates this dry eucalypt forest) to discover the special flora of Samford Conservation Park. Hosted in conjunction with the World Science Festival, organised by the Queensland Museum, this was a well-attended walk. Whether the plants were native, at risk, or invasive, Paul was a wealth of knowledge. We even got to spot a ground orchid, although not a threatened Caladenia species this time. With more than 800 species of plants listed under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, Paul’s walk and talk was a classic example of just how important groups like the QTPN are to ensuring these silent species don’t slip away unnoticed. Get more involved with the QTPN HERE.
Nature Art with Art Classes Brisbane
It was a perfect sunny morning for some outdoor art, and Debra Pickering from Art Classes Brisbane, and her assistant, Val, provided the inspiration, art tips and materials to get the best out of our creative Park of the Month participants.
From sparkly emus, to terrific Tassie devils, to gumnuts and wombats, we had a ball using watercolour pencils and paints to bring Aussie wildlife to life on the page. Even our Volunteer Rangers tried their hands at it (big shoutout to Lachy’s freshwater turtle and Macy’s roo!). A great way to wind down while listening to the strains of Puccini coming from the other end of the park. Get creative and book yourself or your friends in for a paint and sip or art class at the Gap with Art Classes Brisbane.
Forest Bathing with Held Outside Nature Connection Experiences
Ah, the serenity. Jay Ridgewell from Held Outside Nature Connection Experiences led a small group in a deep appreciation of this wonderful park, bathing in its pleasant ambience. Qualified forest guide Jay brings a focus on biocentrism and getting in touch with yourself and the world around you, looking closely, breathing deeply and immersing your whole self in this place at this present moment. It’s fantastic for your physical and mental well-being, so book a forest bathing or nature immersion session for yourself with Held Outside Nature Connection Experience on the Sunshine Coast HERE.
Barefoot Opera with Springboard Opera
The bush is always alive with music to those who listen, but on Saturday 28 March it was really buzzing as Springboard Opera joined us to lead a barefoot opera outdoors on park. The strains of Puccini floated through the park, along with clicks and claps, as Kevin, Luisa and Maddie taught us how to get the rhythm and raise our voices and our spirits to learn some operatic techniques. What a lovely, mellow and melodious end to the day.
Thank you, Springboard Opera for doing such a wonderful job and being part of the March Park of the Month. Get more involved with Springboard Opera and learn more about their work and shows HERE.
Our Fantastic Volunteer Rangers
We can’t forget to give a big shout of thanks to our Volunteer Rangers, who were on site at both Manorina and Samford to help out and get involved. Under the guidance of Parks Connect Programs Manager Lauren (far left), they pitched in, followed up the walks, and were on hand to be the friendly faces of this event. From left to right, they are Kevin, Bec, James, Aaliyah, Lachy and Macy, and we thank them for volunteering their time and knowledge with good humour and professionalism.
Don’t Forget to Add Your Snaps
Remember 31 March is the final day to add your images to our March Park of the Month BioBlitz. Whether you saw, birds, butterflies or fungi, be sure to document it on iNaturalist so we can showcase the diversity of organisms this park protects.
