Short Walks in the Rainforest with Kids

Brisbane must be one of the few cities in the world where you can take a day trip to the rainforest... and it's one of the reasons we feel so privileged to live in this region.  There's a striking diversity of environments literally on our doorstep, from the remnants of coastal rainforest at Burleigh Heads and Noosa to the stunning World Heritage listed Springbrook and Lamington National Parks.

Walking amongst the trees, listening to the sounds of the birds, and perhaps spotting a pademelon in the understorey, is a wonderful way to spend family time together.  It introduces children to our most important and fragile natural environment... and gives us the perfect opportunity to teach them how to respect and take care of it for the next generation.

Research shows that contact with nature and time spent playing in natural environments has many benefits for children, including:

• improving flexibility, balance and co-ordination;
• reducing stress levels;
• developing self-esteem and resilience; and 
• enhancing creativity and imagination.

Perhaps most importantly, it has been found that children who participate in 'wild nature activities', such as bushwalking and camping, are more likely to develop responsible attitudes and behaviours towards the environment:

'Time spent in natural environments encourages children to recognise themselves as part of nature and to develop a sense of ecological self.  The stronger this self-perception as being part of nature, the more likely a child is to protect it." (Source:  Planet Ark's 2013 report: Missing Trees: The Inside Story of an Outdoor Nation)

Before setting out on a rainforest walk, remember:

Kids love an adventure - so involve them in the preparations by asking them to plan an 'outdoor survival kit' with all the things they may need.  This could include a map, compass, camera, binoculars, small plastic jar and magnifying glass for examining interesting finds, notebook, pencil, small first aid kit (with salt, for removing leeches) and anything else they think might be useful.

Think about activities for the trail - that are fun and appropriate to the ages and interests of the children.  Our younger son never tires of pretending that he can see mythical creatures in the trees and rocks:  "I love imagining that the trees are dragons and that we have to tiptoe quietly past them so we don't wake them up!"  Sam (age 6).  Another of his favourite activities is finding a stick and using it to 'fish' for leaves in the creeks and rock pools along the way.

Older children might enjoy keeping a nature journal of their visits to the rainforest.  This could include stories, poems, riddles, photos or sketches of birds, bugs, leaves and any number of other treasures.

Be prepared - dress appropriately for the terrain and weather conditions, with boots or trainers, long pants and a hat.  Take along warm, waterproof jackets if there's any chance of a weather change.  Make sure the children eat before you leave and pack enough water and snacks for the trip... and a plastic bag to take home any rubbish.

These are some of our family's favourite places within a two hour drive from Brisbane, all with short walking trails suitable for young children:

1. Springbrook National Park - spectacular waterfalls, ancient trees, impressive views, exceptional biodiversity and outstanding natural beauty make this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area a brilliant place to visit.  There are four sections to the park and several walking tracks, which vary from easy to strenuous. We particularly recommend:
   
   
   
   
   
   Best of All Lookout Track - which takes visitors on a 300m trail through the cloud forest, past some of the world's last remaining ancient Antarctic Beech trees, to a viewing platform at the edge of the Springbrook plateau.  On clear days, you can see how the whole area was once part of a massive shield volcano, over 100km in diameter and almost twice the height of Mount Warning today.
   
   
   If you're looking for a longer walk, take the 4km Twin Falls Circuit from Tallabana Picnic Area or Canyon Lookout.  This track takes you along a ridge (with fantastic views of the Gold Coast and hinterland), through different types of forest and behind two waterfalls.  Some parts of the track are adjacent to steep cliff edges, so children must be closely supervised. 
   
   
   Before leaving Springbrook National Park, don't forget to stop off at Purlingbrook Falls Lookout, just 100m from Gwongorella Picnic Area.  The waterfall is particularly impressive after periods of heavy rain.
   
   
2. D'Aguilar National Park - the southern section was formerly known as Brisbane Forest Park and is the closest and most accessible area of rainforest to the city centre.  An essential first stop for children is Walk-About Creek Wildlife Centre, located in the QPWS Visitor Centre on Mt Nebo Road at The Gap.  This provides a great opportunity to learn about native animals, including the elusive platypus, wombat, wallabies, snakes, nocturnal wildlife in a night-house and many types of birds in a walk-through aviary. The centre is open from 9am to 4.15pm every day and has an excellent program of ranger led events for children at weekends and during school holidays.
   
   
   
   
   
   Our favourite walking tracks include the short  Maiala Rainforest Circuit and the 1.1km Pitta Circuit at Boombana, which takes you through open eucalypt forest and then into subtropical rainforest, where you can walk around a huge strangler fig.  There are information boards along the way, explaining how rainforests are formed, the plants and animals that live there and the importance of rainforests for the health of our environment.
   
   
3. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - this remnant of pristine subtropical rainforest near Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is an outstanding place to visit with children.  It's always cool and provides a welcome place of retreat on the hottest summer days.  There's lots of birdlife here and, even if you don't manage to spot them in the dense vegetation, you can often hear the distinctive calls of the Whipbird (similar to the cracking of a whip) and the Green Catbird (a wailing sound, almost like a baby's cry).  There's also a thriving population of pademelons, which the children are always delighted to spot.
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   The reserve has a small education centre with rainforest and animal displays, 2km of wheelchair accessible walking tracks, a grassy area for picnics and ball games, small playground and a cafe with stunning views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

   
   

   
   
4. Tamborine National Park - the Witches Falls section was the first place in Queensland to be declared a national park.  It includes areas of subtropical rainforest with piccabeen palm groves, wet eucalypt forest, open forest and woodland.  The park is home to 85% of all animal species found on the Gold Coast, including the rare Albert's Lyrebird, one of which we saw on the 3km Witches Falls Circuit during our last visit.
   
   
   
   
   
   There are several other short walking trails suitable for young children, including Macdonald Rainforest Circuit and Palm Grove Rainforest Circuit.
   
   
5. Noosa Heads National Park - is one of the few places where, if you look hard enough, you're almost guaranteed to spot a koala.  They can usually be seen dozing high in the trees alongside the walking track along the shoreline.  There are several lovely walks to choose from, including the 1km Palm Grove Circuit, through rainforest with hoop pines and piccabeen palms.  The Coastal Track provides access to some delightful secluded beaches, which are great for picnics and exploring the rockpools.

We hope this has inspired you to take a day trip to the rainforest soon!  And if you have any favourite wild places, we'd love to hear about them.

Habitat gardening - welcoming wildlife into your backyard

Imagine you're a native animal - bird, mammal, frog, reptile or invertebrate - searching for a place to live.  Where would you choose to make a home?

All animals have the same basic requirements:

• regular food supply;
• reliable source of water;
• places of refuge;
• opportunity to raise their young; and
• safety from threats.

How to meet these needs will differ between species, so an important first step when planning a habitat garden is to decide which animals you want to attract and to learn about their habits.

It's also a good idea to visit their natural environment and observe its structure, so that you can create similar conditions in your garden.  In forests, which support many of the small mammals, birds and frogs that have been most affected by human habitation, there's a complex layering of soil, leaf litter, ground cover plants, understorey shrubs, small trees and large canopy trees.

When walking through the forest, take notice of the rocks, fallen trees, pools and gullies, which also form a vital part of the ecosystem that native animals need in order to survive and thrive. 

So, having completed your research, what are the basic principles of habitat gardening?

1. Plant and preserve local native plant species  - the animals in your area will have evolved alongside local native plants, which they may use for food, shelter, refuge or raising young. To use an example from our own backyard, we live in a forest that provides habitat for the rare and threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo.  This bird has been particularly affected by land clearing because it feeds only on the seeds of certain types of Casuarina and Allocasuarina trees. It also nests in tree hollows, which are mainly found in old or dead trees.  The survival of this species therefore depends on preservation of the trees they require for feeding and nesting.  
2. Avoid the use of poisons in your garden  - small birds and frogs are both important indicators of the health of our environment.  In Queensland, as in many other parts of the World, they are in serious decline.  Some species, such as the once common Southern Dayfrog, are now considered to be extinct and several others are close to extinction.  
   
   
   
   
   
   One of the reasons for this decline is the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.  Frogs have moist, permeable skin which makes them particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of pollution. Pesticides and other chemicals also affect insectivorous birds by limiting and poisoning their food supply; it really is best not to use them in the garden unless absolutely necessary. 
3. Provide a pond or other permanent water source - a permanent supply of fresh water will encourage animals to live in, rather than just visit, your garden. This can be as simple as making a depression in the ground, covering it with a waterproof lining and surrounding it with rocks and plants.  For information about providing water in your garden for wildlife, go to: Queensland Frog Society and Birds in Backyards.
4. Remove pest species - most people don't like to harm animals but some introduced pest species are so damaging to the ecosystem that they should not be allowed to exist in your backyard.  The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Common Myna, Red Fox and Cane Toad as among 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species. 
5. Keep pets under control - unrestrained domestic dogs and cats are responsible for killing millions of native animals every year.  According to the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, dogs are one of the main causes of koala death and each pet cat, if allowed to roam, will kill an average of 16 mammals, 8 birds and 8 reptiles every year. 
   
   
   
   

   
   

   If you have dogs or cats, thoughtful and responsible ownership involves keeping your animals under curfew, particularly at night.  Cats should be desexed to limit their tendency to wander and prevent them from reproducing.  They should also be fitted with bells or an electronic sonar collar, which will alert birds to their presence.