Itineraries · Brisbane

Mount Glorious and the D'Aguilar forest

Day trip · Brisbane. A driving day, ~70 km return, 3 stops.

Whole route in Google Maps ↗Open on the interactive map
Mount Glorious and the D'Aguilar forest
Duration
a driving day, ~70 km return (≈ 3 h 20 min: moving and stop time only)
Who it suits
Everyone
Transport
drive
Start
Jollys Lookout
Finish
Samford Village
Pace
moderate pace
Best time
a clear morning, and back before dark
Budget per adult
free, bring food for the barbecuePrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026

Getting there

Go by car. The road from The Gap is narrow.

Stops in order

The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.

  1. 1. Jollys Lookout~40 min at the stop

    The first stop on the range. The Glass House Mountains and the bay islands from one platform. The barbecue is free.

    Worth knowing: The lookout honours William Jolly, the first Lord Mayor of Greater Brisbane (1925–1931). Protecting scenic spots like this from development was part of his vision of a green Brisbane for future generations.

    Tip: The lookout is open 24 hours, with toilets, tables and barbecues. The road from The Gap is narrow. If it's fogged in, the forest at Maiala is still worth the drive.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ drive · 25 min · 16 km

  2. 2. Maiala~1 h 10 min at the stop

    A rainforest picnic ground on Mount Glorious: tables, barbecues and five tracks from one clearing. The shortest are the Rainforest and Cypress Grove circuits; add Greenes Falls only if your legs are keen.

    Worth knowing: Maiala is a rainforest picnic ground in D'Aguilar National Park, in the range that walls Brisbane on the west.

    Tip: Toilets by the car park. Keep away from fruiting bunya pines: falling cones cause injuries. Check park alerts before you go: the Greenes Falls track closes for maintenance at times.

    Open on the map ↗

    ↓ drive · 25 min · 19 km

  3. 3. Samford Village~40 min at the stop

    The village at the foot of the range, where the drive comes down out of the forest. Bakeries on the main street. Finish here, not in a lookout car park.

    Tip: Take whichever bakery is open at that hour. Return on Samford Road, without climbing the range again.

    Open on the map ↗

Before you go

  • Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
  • Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
  • On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.