Jolly's Lookout to Boombana

Jolly's Lookout

Jolly's lookout was named after Brisbane's first lord Mayor William Jolly.

It is a great place to stop off while on a scenic drive up the mountain to take in the views

If you have a little more time you can base yourself at either Jolly's look out or Boombana and combine the two short circuits at both picnic grounds with the longer Thylogale track that joins the two, have a picnic or barbecue and make a short detour to the nearby Cafe and you can really make a day of it.

Jolly's lookout has great views of Samford valley, you can also see North pine dam and all the way out to Moreton Bay. facilities include barbecues, tables and seating and toilets.

Barbecue with a view.

At the bottom car park you will see a sign for the Egernia Circuit and Thylogale track.

Egernia Circuit

The Egernia Circuit is a nice easy short walk only 1.5 km

It takes you through open eucalypt forest on a short loop where you descend down before climbing back to the starting point.

It has some lovely moss covered stone steps and wooden bridges to add a bit of interest and the ever present wide range of birds chattering away in the trees.

On my trip I was lucky enough to encounter swarms of Blue Tiger butterfly's, reference books have them as rare in Brisbane except for every few years when they migrate in large numbers, 2015 must be one of those years.

Blue Tiger Butterfly Egernia circuit

Thylogale Track

The Thylogale track is a pleasant walk through rainforest that is lined with native gingers, cordylines and ferns it zig zags its way crossing south boundary road and making its way to the Boombana picnic ground.

Keep an eye out for some spectacular birds nest ferns in the trees, along the walk you will encounter many different animals , numerous birds , bush turkeys and lace monitors also keep an eye out for the tracks namesake the red necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis) you will often see them dart across the track then crash off into the bush .

2 Birds nests ferns along the Thylogale track

Boombana

Once you reach the end of the Thylogale track you reach the Boombana picnic area

Boombana Picnic Area

There is a small picnic area with seating , barbecue and Toilets.

There is also a fire pit , I recall reading somewhere this wasn't to be used but I am unable to find this information, there is always charred wood every time I have visited so some one is making great use of it.

From here you can start the Pitta Circuit, this is a great track to explore with the kids as it is only 1 km long, it starts in open eucalypt forest then makes it way through rainforest and you are guided along the way with educational signs.

Educational sign Pitta Circuit

You then reach a board walk surrounding a spectacular 300 year old strangler fig.The board walk allows you walk right around The Strangler fig taking in its impressive stature, its now only a short walk  

300 year old Strangler fig

At the strangler fig before heading back to the left you will see a set of stairs if you follow this track you can make a quick detour to the lovely Boombana Cafe for a bite to eat or in my case coffee and scones with jam and cream.

Stairs leading to boombana Cafe

View from Boombana Cafe