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Just 45 minutes from Brisbane, you can swap the city buzz for cool mountain air and peaceful forest. On a recent winter day, I set out to walk the Morelia Track and Atrax Circuit at Mount Nebo. By the time I returned to the car, I knew this had become one of my favourite short hikes near the city.
So what makes this walk special? Let me take you through it.
Summary
Distance: 6 km
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Disclaimer: The hiking time and difficulty are based on our experience. We are experienced hikers with a good level of fitness, used to hiking long distances and scrambling. But we also enjoy pausing to admire the views, check for wildlife and take photos. We possess good navigation skills and use a Garmin watch with a GPS navigation map. Always check the park alerts and notes, as trail conditions change over time, which may affect the hike’s level of difficulty.
Walking the Morelia Track
The Morelia Track itself is easy and very enjoyable. It took us about 40 minutes to reach the lookout, wandering through tall trees and listening to birds along the way. The lookout gives views all the way out to Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island, which is nice, but honestly, the highlight for me was the walk through the forest itself. It felt calm, refreshing, and like a proper reset from city life.
Adding on the Atrax Circuit
On the way back, we decided to loop onto the Atrax Circuit. This was a great addition. The forest here felt different, with lots of ferns. The trail also had more steps and ups and downs, so it added a little extra exercise to the walk without being too challenging.
What to expect from the lookout
If you’re after a forest walk that feels like an escape without a big effort, Morelia Track and Atrax Circuit are well worth your time. But the lookout isn’t the best you’ll find in the area.
If you’re chasing views, I recommend stopping at Jolly’s Lookout on the drive. The outlook is much better than the one at the end of the Morelia Track, so it could be better to go there after you hike.
If you’re looking for more hikes near Mount Nebo, have a look at this map of the area.
Have you walked Morelia Track and Atrax Circuit? Share your experience in the comments below!
Where are Morelia Track and Atrax Circuit?
The track begins from the Manorina car park on Mount Nebo Road. The drive up is already lovely, winding through bushland with the occasional glimpse of the valleys. By the time we parked, we felt like we were on a mini getaway although we had only driven 45 minutes from Brisbane CBD.
One thing that struck me straight away was the temperature. We did the walk on a sunny winter day with 20°C announced on Weatherzone. It felt so much colder, and the car indicated 13°C at Mount Nebo when we finished the hike. Just 45 minutes later and close to sunset, the city was warmer than the mountain at 20°C. So don’t forget a jacket, even if the forecast looks mild and it’s not cold in Brisbane!
