outdoors

Hugging the shores of Lake Samsonvale, this tranquil and spacious eucalypt treed reserve is arguably one of the best picnic and barbecue spots around

While crowds flock to nearby Jollys Lookout, up on Camp Mountain a much smaller group of picnickers enjoy views of city and bay that are just as spectacular

This splendid green oasis features all abilities playground, a spacious dog off leash area, lily ponds and a myriad of paths.

Nestled at the base of the Story Bridge’s imposing south pylon is this park with one of the city’s most striking outlooks.

Colmslie Reserve is an eden-like grove and parkland, complete with sandy beach, that appears like a mirage down a long tree-lined drive in the midst of an industrial area of Murarrie.

Nestled in the depths of Graceville and catching the river breezes on one side, shady Faulkner Park is a good all rounder

Tucked into the base of the headland is this fantastic secluded seafront park that most people bypass on the way to the nearby Stradbroke Ferry terminal.

On weekend afternoons this park resembles a village green in England as families, dog walkers, picnickers and sports players descend on the tree-bordered grassy expanse to enjoy the last of the day’s sun.

The main drawcard of this park is the well equipped playground for children of all ages that comes surrounded by grassy fields, bike paths and plentiful eating nooks.

This gracious pocket park on Highgate Hill’s highest ridge sits 62m above sea level, affording the most striking close-up views of Brisbane city.

When city life gets you down this is the kind of spot to retreat to - an enchanted little clearing of grass, gum trees and river rocks at the end of a cul-de-sac

Brisbane’s second oldest formal lookout reserve was instigated in 1930 by then mayor William Jolly who thought it a fine place to have a picnic.

The showcase family friendly park on the northside, Kalinga’s drawcards are many.

This quaint little terraced park tucked at the end of a tiny cul-de-sac feels like a million miles from the city for those who need an escape.

Sandwiched between the evergreen Paul’s milk factory, William Jolly Bridge and GOMA is a tiny pocket park where fisherman drop a line and through which the riverside bike and pedestrian track passes on its way to Kurilpa Bridge.

These beautiful lush hectares of meadowland have at their heart one of the rare surviving lagoons from pre-settlement days.