For some, heading to Mt Coot-tha is all about wandering through the Botanic Gardens, driving up to the lookout and having a meal at the summit-top restaurant (which is about to get a big revamp). 

Previously known as Brisbane Forest Park, D'Aguilar National Park stretches over 36,000 hectares, which means there's always somewhere to walk. 

Brisbane's inner west isn't the only spot just a few kilometres out of the CBD, surrounded by houses, with a lofty peak to drive up — well, a city-sized peak — and a lookout perched at the top. 

Fancy getting out of the house not only for a change of scenery, or to get some exercise, but in the name of creative inspiration? If so, you might want to take a trip to Poet's Rock in Karawatha Forest. 

No prizes for guessing what kind of creatures inhabit this patch of greenery in the Redlands region — which means that, while you're walking, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled. 

Hit the highway, drive west and you can then tick two things off of your to-do list at once. Firstly, you can get out of Brisbane without travelling more than 50 kilometres away.