Hiking for Beginners: How to Start (and Where to Go First)
Published 26 October 2026
Photo: Newretreads, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
If you can walk for an hour on a footpath, you can start hiking. The trick is to pick the right track grade, carry the basics, and tell someone where you're going. This guide covers how Queensland's track grades work, what to pack, ranger-backed safety tips, and a shortlist of easy first hikes around Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast hinterland.
All track details below come from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Brisbane City Council pages, checked in October 2026.
Step 1: Understand track grades
Queensland national park tracks use a five-level grading system. According to QPWS's Walk with care page:
| Grade | Who it suits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | No experience needed | Flat, even surface with no steps. Suitable for wheelchairs with assistance. Up to 5 km. |
| Grade 2 | No experience needed | Hardened or compacted surface, gentle hills and occasional steps. Up to 10 km. |
| Grade 3 | Most ages and fitness levels; some bushwalking experience recommended | Short, steep hills, a rough surface and many steps. Up to 20 km. |
| Grade 4 | Bushwalking experience recommended | Long, rough and very steep, with limited directional signs. |
| Grade 5 | Very experienced walkers with navigation and first-aid skills | Very rough, very steep and unmarked. May be more than 20 km. |
Key point for beginners: QPWS grades a track by its hardest section. A Grade 3 walk may be mostly easy, with one steep pinch. Start with Grade 2 and 3 tracks under 5 km, then work up.
Step 2: Pick an easy first hike
Here are beginner-friendly options from official park and council pages. Each one links to its Active Quests quest page, where you can check in at the end.
| Track | Where | Distance | Grade / time | Why it's good for beginners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Coot-tha Summit Track | Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane | 1.9 km one way | Allow about 30 min (BCC) | BCC calls it "perfect for all fitness levels". Big city views and a café at the top. |
| Piccabeen walk | D'Aguilar NP, Mount Mee | 1 km circuit | Grade 2, 30 min | Palm groves and huge Sydney blue gums |
| Rainforest circuit | Lamington NP, Binna Burra | 1.2 km circuit | Grade 2, 30 min | A gentle introduction to Lamington's rainforest |
| Palm Grove Walk | Noosa NP | 1.1 km return | Grade 3, 15–30 min | Short, shady and family-friendly, with toilets nearby |
| Tibrogargan circuit | Glass House Mountains NP | 4.1 km return | Grade 3, 1 hr 30 min | Mountain View lookout is only 1 km in. QPWS calls it "a great walk for families". |
| Mount Ngungun summit walk | Glass House Mountains NP | 2.8 km return | Grade 4, 2 hr | Your first summit. Steeper, with cliff edges, so it's a "next step" hike. |
Sources: QPWS journey pages for each park and Brisbane City Council's Mt Coot-tha tracks. Check park alerts before you go, as tracks can close.
Step 3: Pack the basics
You don't need expensive gear for a short day hike. Based on QPWS and NSW National Parks safety advice, pack:
- Water: NSW National Parks recommends at least 2 L per person for a bushwalk. Take more in hot weather.
- Sturdy shoes with good grip. QPWS specifically recommends ankle-supporting shoes for the steep concrete section of Mt Beerburrum. Leave the thongs at home.
- Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- A warm or waterproof layer. Mountain weather changes fast, and Lamington and Springbrook are often cooler than the coast.
- Snacks and a rubbish bag, so you can take everything out with you.
- A charged phone, with the Emergency Plus app installed.
- A small first aid kit.
For more on walking the Summit Track, see our Mt Coot-tha Summit Track guide.
Step 4: Stay safe
The QPWS and NSW National Parks bushwalking safety pages agree on a few simple rules:
- Tell someone your plans and when you'll be back. For remote walks, QPWS says to leave an itinerary and never walk alone.
- Walk with others. QPWS recommends pairs or groups; NSW National Parks suggests groups of three or more.
- Check the weather and park alerts before you leave. Use the Bureau of Meteorology and QPWS park alerts.
- Stay on the marked track. Short cuts cause erosion and are an easy way to get lost.
- In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). The Emergency Plus app can help share your location. Remember that no mobile coverage means no call.
Trail etiquette matters too. On shared trails, QPWS says cyclists give way to walkers and horses, and walkers give way to horses.
Step 5: Build up gradually
- Weeks 1–2: One or two Grade 2 walks of about 1–2 km.
- Weeks 3–4: A Grade 3 walk of 3–5 km with a few hills, like the Tibrogargan circuit.
- Month 2: A short Grade 4 summit, like Mount Ngungun, or a longer Grade 3 walk such as the 5 km Araucaria track at Enoggera Reservoir.
- After that: Half-day Grade 4 walks in Lamington or Springbrook, ideally with an experienced friend.
Australia's physical activity guidelines recommend at least 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity each week. A couple of weekend hikes plus a few walks during the week gets you most of the way there.
Hiking tips for beginners: the little things
- Start early. Summer afternoons in south-east Queensland bring heat and storms.
- Allow extra time. QPWS times don't include long breaks or photo stops.
- Walk at a pace where you can still talk.
- Go downhill carefully. Wet rock and steep concrete can be slippery.
- Know your turnaround time, and turn back if the weather turns or you're tired.
- Leave no trace. Take all rubbish out with you. If there's no toilet, QPWS says to bury waste at least 15 cm deep (50 cm in sand).
Make it a habit
Motivation is the hardest part of any new hobby. Active Quests turns walking tracks into GPS check-in quests. Pick a trail, walk it, check in at the finish and earn ACTIVE Coins, then tick off the next one. Browse the quests near you.
Related guides
- Hiking Essentials: Day Hike Checklist for Australia
- 12 Best Hikes Near Brisbane, from Easy to Epic (2026)
- Gold Coast Hikes: 12 Best Walks, Coast to Hinterland
- Gold Coast Waterfall Walks
Frequently asked questions
What is a good first hike for beginners near Brisbane?
The Mt Coot-tha Summit Track (1.9 km one way, "perfect for all fitness levels" according to BCC) and short Grade 2 walks in D'Aguilar National Park, like the 1 km Piccabeen walk, are good starting points. The Tibrogargan circuit in the Glass House Mountains (4.1 km return, Grade 3) is a great next step.
What do track grades mean in Queensland?
Grades 1 and 2 need no experience. Grade 3 suits most ages and fitness levels, with some experience recommended. Grade 4 is for walkers with bushwalking experience. Grade 5 is for very experienced walkers with navigation and first-aid skills. Tracks are graded by their hardest section.
How much water should I take on a hike?
NSW National Parks recommends at least 2 litres per person. Take more in hot weather or on exposed tracks.
Do I need hiking boots to start hiking?
Not for short, well-formed tracks, but you do need sturdy, comfortable shoes with good grip. Thongs aren't suitable. For steep or rocky tracks, ankle-supporting shoes are recommended.
Is it safe to hike alone?
Short, popular tracks are generally fine if you tell someone your plans. For remote walks, QPWS advises never walking alone and leaving an itinerary with someone.
What should I do in an emergency on a hike?
Call Triple Zero (000). The Emergency Plus app can help share your location, but it needs mobile coverage. For remote areas, consider a personal locator beacon.
Your first trail is closer than you think
Choose one track from the table, pick a cool morning and go. When you're ready to make hiking a habit, Active Quests is on the App Store.