Brisbane may not have ocean beaches lapping the city fringes but it does have hectares upon hectares of pristine forest and bushland often intersecting swathes of suburban residential areas. One of the advantages of living here is the fact that you can live 15 minutes from the hectic CBD and have a wild forest on your doorstep.
My house backs on to such a forest; the Toohey forest. I can walk out into my garden, or yard as they call it here, and straight into the forest, find one of the many trails that can take you to the Mount Gravatt Outlook or over to the Griffith University or wherever you feel like wandering.
James Toohey, one of Brisbane's largest landowners in the second half of the 19th Century left a complicated will which resulted in this outstanding bushland being spared from suburban development and retained for residents to enjoy. In 1893 The Mount Gravatt Reserve was a gift to the local residents by the State Government of the day. Toohey Forest's unique charm derives from the hilly terrain and the rich variety of flora and fauna, the wild flowers are truly spectacular from July to September. About 140 bird species have been recorded, many of them being winter migrants.
So today, being a bit of grey day with watery sunshine we (husband and girls) decided to walk up to the Outlook. It's a steep climb and takes about 30 minutes, the girls are only 4 so we have to stop every so often which is good because you can stop and appreciate the beauty and maybe spot a goanna. The spectacular 360 degree views of Brisbane city and beyond are well worth the effort. Most people arrive there by car as there is a scenic drive carved through the reserve. There is a beautiful new cafe at the summit . I'm really pleased that the cafe was built there as it has seen off all the bonking teenagers in their steamed up cars, weird people hanging around staring at other weird people, doggers, drinkers and all those engaging in illicit affairs. Over the years I've seen plenty of that going on up there.
After the lollipops were bought and consumed, it started to rain so we ran off down towards to the path and down, down, down through the wattles, blue gums, the brushboxes and the bloodwoods. All the way back through the native grasses and wild mint looking out for dreaded snakes. We are such a noisy group that I think they must slither away for cover when they hear us coming.
