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Environment centres

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Visit our environment centres to learn more about nature. Find events, information for schools and volunteer opportunities.

oung girl with a purple magnifying glass in the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre grounds.

About the environment centres

Our environment centres provide unique, purpose-built facilities that give you the chance to connect with nature.

Learn about Brisbane’s flora and fauna through a variety of activities, such as guided walks, Bush Kindy and nature journalling. You can also volunteer as a guide or greeter.

Visit a centre at:

Have fun exploring nature

You can explore each venue with the Agents of Discovery mobile game.  

Agents of Discovery is a great way to get kids active, engaged and exploring the world around them.

Download the app for free.

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Environment centres also offer outdoor, curriculum-based learning for school groups. Book your students into a learning program to deepen their understanding of the environment.

Entry to all of our environment centres is free, but there is a charge for some activities.

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Did you know?

Brisbane is Australia’s most biodiverse capital city.

Downfall Creek Bushland Centre 

This centre is located at the Raven Street Reserve and is part of the Chermside Hills Reserves.

Immerse yourself in environmental displays, learn about flora, fauna and how to preserve our natural environment.

Downfall Creek Bushland Centre

815 Rode Road, Chermside West, 4032 07 3407 2400 DCBC@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tuesday to Friday: 9am-4pm

Saturday to Monday: Closed 

Facilities

Barbecues

Bike tracks

Car park

Community composting hub

Display area

Free native plants program nursery

Half-court basketball court

Information desk

Playground

Public toilets

Senses Trail

Sheltered picnic tables

Walking tracks

Wheelchair accessible

Free native plants 

Bring your paid rates notice from the current financial year to claim 2 free native plants.

Children’s trail 

Are the kids tagging along? Keep them entertained and walk the Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail through the reserve.

Group bookings

Contact the centre to organise a visit for groups of more than 30 people.

For more information:

Chermside Hills Reserves

Birdwatch, bushwalk through dry rainforest and spot turtles, water dragons and other wildlife during your visit to the Chermside Hills Reserves.

A group of adults and children walk along a bush track at Chermside Hills Reserve.

Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre 

Learn about the importance of preserving tidal wetlands and migratory shorebirds, enjoy interactive displays and animation games, and meet our tree crevice skinks.

Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre

31 Paperbark Drive, Boondall, 4034 07 3403 1490 BWEC@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tuesday to Friday: 9am-4pm

Saturday and Sunday: 9am-12pm

Monday: Closed

Facilities

Bike tracks

Bird hide

Free native plants program nursery

Interactive display area

Information desk

Public toilets

Sheltered picnic tables

Useful Plant Trail

Walking tracks

Wheelchair accessible

Free native plants 

Bring your paid rates notice from the current financial year to claim 2 free native plants.

Children’s trail 

Are the kids tagging along? Keep them entertained and walk the Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail through the wetlands.

Group bookings

Contact the centre to organise a visit for groups of more than 30 people.

For more information:

Watch a virtual tour of the Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre

Take a virtual walk through our amazing Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre and then come and join us at the centre to view our environmental and cultural displays in person, discover facts about the wetlands flora and fauna, and learn about the importance of preserving natural areas.

Boondall Wetlands

Brisbane's largest wetlands is made up of approximately 1,150 hectares of unique habitat, including trails and boardwalks to explore.

Two women on a walking along a bush track in Boondall Wetlands.

Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre 

Discover Queensland's first dedicated nature play space, enjoy the sculptures, interactive projections and learn about the local frog population.

Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre

149 Acacia Road, Karawatha, 4117 07 3178 0330 KFDC@brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tuesday to Sunday: 9am-4pm

Monday: Closed

Facilities

Barbecues

Car park

Community composting hub

Free native plants program nursery

Information desk

Interactive display area

Meeting rooms

Nature play space

Public toilets

Sheltered picnic tables

Wheelchair accessible

Meeting rooms 

The centre has 2 meeting rooms for hire. Book one or both and combine them to make a larger space.  

The rooms are available for public bookings 6 days a week, depending on availability. 

We arrange orientation, keys and security instructions if the booking is outside normal business hours. 

The meeting rooms include:

  • seating for up to 60 people
  • air conditioning
  • free Brisbane City Council guest Wi-Fi
  • seats, tables, projector and in-built speakers and sound system and whiteboard
  • tea and coffee making facilities
  • kitchenette
  • wheelchair access. 

Commercial use

The following fees apply to community groups using a meeting room for commercial purposes, or when people are paying fees to attend:

Hourly $29.60
Half day or evening (fixed rate) $68.90
Full day (fixed rate) $138.90

 

Corporate use

The following costs apply to corporate or any non-community use:

Hourly $58.85
Half day or evening (fixed rate) $159.20
Full day (fixed rate) $315.55
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Note

  • If your desired date is within 2 calendar weeks, phone the environment centre on 07 3407 2400.
  • Non-profits and registered charities may qualify for free meeting room use. Charities need to provide an Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) number or Australian business number (ABN) and have Council approval.

Group bookings

Complete the online form to organise a visit for groups of more than 30 people (including Out of School Care groups). You must do this at least 10 days before your visit.  

Free native plants 

Bring your paid rates notice from the current financial year to claim 2 free native plants.

Watch a virtual tour of the Karawatha Discovery Centre

Take a virtual walk through our amazing Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre and then come and join us at the centre to enjoy our interactive floor projection of a frog habitat, sculptural forest discovery area, night-time audiovisual experience and more. The centre also includes Queensland's first nature play space.

Karawatha Forest

Enjoy 900-hectares of unique habitat, with opportunities for bushwalking, off-road cycling and birdwatching.

Walker on the Karawatah forest walking tracks.

Events at environment centres

Council offers recreational and educational activities at environment centres.

Enjoy free guided walks, Bush Kindy, fitness and wellness activities, workshops and more.

Student learning programs 

School programs 

Discover Brisbane's natural wonders through unique learning experiences at any of our environment centres. 

Our curriculum-based programs deepen students' environmental understanding, empowering them to contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city. 

View the current learning programs available for primary and secondary students.

Engage in role-play, art and guided walks to uncover the secrets of Brisbane's bushland, wetland, and waterway habitats. 

To make a booking and view the fees, complete the online form.  

Bring nature to your classroom with our free online resources. Online lessons are available on topics such as mangrove adaptations, creek catchments, habitats and more. 

Kindergarten programs 

Our Creek Neighbours online program connects kindy kids, their families and the community to their local creek catchment.

Program outline

There are 4 sessions in the Creek Neighbours program. They are all linked to the Early Years Learning Framework.

Learn how to use a dip net and identify macroinvertebrates (water bugs), which are indicators of waterway health.

Teach children about the importance of healthy creeks and encourage their natural curiosity and instinct to care for animals. You can also book a wildlife show at your kindergarten.

Gracie the Graceful Tree Frog is one of Council's mascots. You can decide how you'd like to incorporate Gracie into the program.

Create a variety of habitats in your kindergarten grounds. Use them to build biodiversity and support wildlife that visits local waterways.

Register to participate in the program and access supporting materials and staff assistance. Materials include a dip netting kit, creek game kit and a Gracie frog toy.

Download our additional resources for links to support the delivery of the Creek Neighbours program.

Volunteering 

Share your passion for the natural environment and give back to the community by volunteering at an environment centre. 

Volunteer to:

  • greet and participate in visitor engagement
  • deliver interactive activities and workshops for visitors
  • lead interpretive guided walks
  • provide event and activity support
  • maintain and support Council's community composting hubs and free native plant nursery.

Sign up to volunteer using our online portal. You can also find out which centres are currently recruiting and which roles are available. 

Frequently asked questions 

Yes. All events and activities at our environment centres honour the Queensland Government Companion Card. This means you get free entry when accompanying a person with disability that requires attendant care support.

The Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre at Enoggera Reservoir is run by the Queensland Government. Find more information about the centre.