Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre

149 Acacia Road, Karawatha, QLD, 411707 3178 0330
Meeting rooms
Nature play space
Public toilets
Wheelchair accessible

Brisbane City Council's Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre is located in Karawatha Forest Park. The centre includes Queensland's first nature play space and aims to inform locals and visitors about the significance of the natural area, including the local frog population.

While at the centre, explore with the Agents of Discovery mobile game by downloading the free app (Google Play, Apple Store).

Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre also includes Queensland’s first nature play space which includes water play, climbing features, discovery trails and sculptural artworks, an interactive floor projection of a frog habitat, a sculptural forest discovery area, a night-time audio-visual experience room and a virtual reality experience giving a bird’s-eye view of Karawatha Forest.

Christmas and New Year closure

This centre will be closed from 23 December 2024, reopening 4 January 2025.

Facilities

  • Barbecue
  • Car park
  • Display area
  • Community composting hub
  • Hearing loop
  • Information desk
  • Interactive display
  • Meeting rooms
  • Free Native Plants program nursery
  • Nature play space
  • Playground
  • Public toilets
  • Sheltered picnic tables
  • Wheelchair accessible

Opening hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9am-4pm
  • Wednesday: 9am-4pm
  • Thursday: 9am-4pm
  • Friday: 9am-4pm
  • Saturday: 9am-4pm
  • Sunday: 9am-4pm

Meeting rooms

The Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre has two meeting rooms available for hire by community groups and organisations and for corporate use for meetings and events. The rooms are not available for parties, individuals or private groups.

Visit our hiring environment centre meeting rooms page to find out more, including how to make a booking.

Free Native Plants program nursery

Council’s Free Native Plants program offers a range of plants to assist the community to plant out and green their properties. The nursery at Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre is open 9am–4pm Tuesday–Sunday (closed public holidays). The endemic species provided through this program will help grow our city’s urban forest, connect habitats and support local wildlife.

Visit this centre or Downfall Creek Bushland Centre at Chermside West with your paid rates notice from the current financial year, or written authority from the property owner or property manager dated in the current financial year. You will receive two free native plants from the Council display stand. Find out more about the Free Native Plants program.

Group bookings

The environment centres are open to the public to allow individuals to learn and explore the natural environment.

Council's guidelines for activities in parks require Out of School Care and Holiday (OSCH) groups with more than 30 members to complete the park use consent online form. The form is to be submitted at least 10 working days before your visit to Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre.

School learning programs

The environment centres also offer curriculum-based learning programs. If you'd like to make a group booking for a school group, complete the online school learning program booking form.

Volunteering

You can help raise awareness about our reserves and environment, while enjoying the company of other volunteers, by joining our volunteer program. A variety of volunteering opportunities are available including:

  • greeter and administrative positions, including project and workshop delivery
  • guides to lead group walks
  • event and activity support, including environmental educational and advocacy.

Location

More information

For more information:

You can also download the:

Walking track information and maps

View or download a copy of the Karawatha Forest Park map, track locations, grading and length of tracks.

Walk the Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail though the reserve. Before you go, or during your walk, you can download or view the trail map (PDF - 6.3Mb).

Watch our videos

 

Upcoming events

Smartphone Eco Photography
Thu 9 Jan 2025, 1:30pm
Free

Smartphone Eco Photography

Bookings essential. Bring along a smartphone to this eco photography workshop and see nature through a new lens. Seek inspiration from the trees; look high...

Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Road, Karawatha

Nature Play for 5–8 years
Tue 14 Jan 2025, 9:00am
Free

Nature Play for 5–8 years

Bookings essential. This inclusive nature play program is open to children 5-8 years. Have fun in the mud kitchen or have a go at loose parts play. This is a...

Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Road, Karawatha

Nature Play for 9–12 years
Tue 14 Jan 2025, 9:45am
Free

Nature Play for 9–12 years

Bookings essential. This inclusive nature play program is open to children 9-12 years. Have fun in the mud kitchen or have a go at loose parts play. This is a...

Karawatha Forest Park and Discovery Centre, 149 Acacia Road, Karawatha

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.