You might be keen to experience the adrenalin-rush of Logan’s mountain bike trails or the serenity of an early morning tee-off (kookaburras excepted). Maybe you’d rather take a relaxed stroll through pristine natural wetlands … no matter how you love to enjoy nature, there are plenty of ways to get out and about in the City of Logan.
We’ll start with the golfers because—let’s face it—they often start before everyone else. Picturesque Meadowbrook Golf Club takes bookings from 6am, and is a 27-hole public golf course in the heart of Logan. If 18 or 9 holes are not quite your style, Meadowbrook is also home to Logan’s first ever Mini Golf course, with 18 holes and a beginner and advanced pin on each hole. There’s also a driving range, if you’re after some quality time to work on your swing. And yes, there’s a 19th hole—finish up at Meadowbrook Gold Club with a cold ale in the beer garden.
More opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in Logan can be found in both the Berrinba and Eagleby Wetlands. Berrinba Wetlands encompass 80 hectares of nature reserve, threaded with more than 8 kilometres of shared walking and bicycle tracks. Plan your visit by downloading an enlarged copy of the Berrinba Wetlands Walkways Map and look out for the 430,000 new native plants and 100 nesting boxes for birds, possums and gliders on your travels. Pack a few delicious snacks and stop at one of the picnic areas dotted along the paths.
For avid birdwatchers, Eagleby Wetlands is heaven. Located on the Albert River, the wetlands are home to more than 200 native Australian bird species, including 19 of the 24 Australian raptors and almost half of the bird species found in Queensland.
Daisy Hill Koala Centre is another top choice for animal lovers. Admission is free, and you can see koalas in a natural outdoor setting from two different viewing levels. You can watch short films in the Woodland Theatre, which will open your eyes to some amazing facts about these much-loved marsupials.
Another popular pocket of natural bushland is the 36-hectare Springwood Conservation Park. The park is like nature’s own eucalypt forest adventure park, with large boulders, balancing rocks, caves, cliffs and a gorge to explore. A network of graded walking tracks will lead you to a lookout with spectacular views across Logan, which is an experience well worth the climb. Here you’ll also find the affectionately nicknamed ‘Stairs of Death’, a favourite training path for elite athletes. In late winter and spring, wildflowers such as golden candle sticks, yellow bush pea, purple hovea and golden wattle bloom throughout the park. The Gorge Discovery Circuit also includes a section for wheelchair access.
For a park with a few more creature comforts (read: on-site coffee van) head to Underwood Park. This is like an oasis in the middle of the city, with a lagoon, gazebos, shady trees to picnic under as well as a huge off-leash area for dogs. The kids will love this park too, with its renowned FUNderwood Hollow playground, designed for children aged five to 16 years. It features a ‘Peter Pan’ feel, with castle-themed towers high above the ground. The park also has skate and BMX facilities, and some of the best mountain bike trails in Logan nearby (for more of those, keep reading!)
Logan River Parklands is also a hidden gem in the heart of the action, located just off the M1 (Pacific Motorway) near the iconic Red Bridge which spans the Logan River. Ever played outdoor ping pong in a park? Bring your paddles! The park includes barbecue areas—perfect for get-togethers near the river—and from here you can easily do a spot of fishing from the pontoon or launch your tinnie from the boat ramp.
Talking of rivers… the Logan and Albert Rivers come together around Eagleby and offer canoeists and kayakers a journey of beauty and cultural significance. Their paths begin in the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests on the border ranges between New South Wales and Queensland, and the rivers reach their final destination at Moreton Bay. For Traditional Custodians including peoples of the Yuggera and Yugambeh language groups, the rivers have spiritual significance. They are also brimming with European history, being a key resource for the early settlers in the region. Download the Logan and Albert River’s canoe and kayak trail map and plan your adventure on the water.
And the mountain biking? Of course we didn’t forget. Logan City and its surround areas offer mountain biking fans some of the best trails in South East Queensland. Cornubia Forest Park is a great place to explore—whether you’re on two wheels or two legs. Take a look at the trails centred around Daisy Hill, where tracks weave out and across several parks including the above Cornubia Forest Park, Underwood Park and Neville Laurie Reserve.
Finally, one of the most captivating ways to explore Logan’s nature reserves is on horseback. Spring Mountain Reserve is the place to go for horse riding and horse riding trails—whether you’re a novice or an accomplished rider.
Is this all of it? Absolutely not. All throughout Logan City you’ll find neighbourhood parks and ovals in which you can kick a ball around or throw a frisbee. Keep your eyes open and you’ll never run out of green spaces to explore.