Scenic spot · Enoggera Reservoir

McAfee's Lookout

Enoggera Reservoir, AU 3.8 (236 Google reviews)

AT A GLANCE

Why go?

McAfee's Lookout sits on the elevated shoulder of the D'Aguilar Range along Mount Nebo Road, about 16 km northwest of Brisbane's CBD. Named after some of the area's first settlers, this scenic spot is a gateway to subtropical rainforest, creek swimming holes, and the rich bushwalking trails of D'Aguilar National Park. While recent visitors note that tree regrowth has partly obscured the panoramic ocean views the lookout was once known for, it remains a popular starting point for adventurous walks into the ranges.↗↗↗

The Lookout and Its Views

A short flat stroll of about 50 metres from the car park leads to the lookout point, which sits at approximately 320 metres elevation. On a clear day and from the right angle, visitors have reported sweeping views across to Moreton Island and the Moreton Bay islands, a sight that drew families and photographers to the platform for decades. The area is known for strong winds thanks to its exposed high-ground position, which can also whip the treetops into a swaying curtain that occasionally blocks the vista below.↗

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Scenic spot · Enoggera Reservoir

McAfee's Lookout

Enoggera Reservoir, AU 3.8 (236 Google reviews)

Photo: Google Maps

AT A GLANCE

Why go?

McAfee's Lookout sits on the elevated shoulder of the D'Aguilar Range along Mount Nebo Road, about 16 km northwest of Brisbane's CBD. Named after some of the area's first settlers, this scenic spot is a gateway to subtropical rainforest, creek swimming holes, and the rich bushwalking trails of D'Aguilar National Park. While recent visitors note that tree regrowth has partly obscured the panoramic ocean views the lookout was once known for, it remains a popular starting point for adventurous walks into the ranges.↗↗↗

The Lookout and Its Views

A short flat stroll of about 50 metres from the car park leads to the lookout point, which sits at approximately 320 metres elevation. On a clear day and from the right angle, visitors have reported sweeping views across to Moreton Island and the Moreton Bay islands, a sight that drew families and photographers to the platform for decades. The area is known for strong winds thanks to its exposed high-ground position, which can also whip the treetops into a swaying curtain that occasionally blocks the vista below.↗

↗

It is worth noting that a number of recent reviews mention vegetation having grown up around the lookout, making the panoramic views harder to find than they once were. Some visitors in 2024 and 2025 reported that the viewing platform appeared obscured or removed, leaving little more than a clearing. If the lookout itself doesn't quite deliver the ocean panorama you were hoping for, consider it the trailhead and picnic stop it has also become — and save Jolly's Lookout, further up Mount Nebo Road, for an unobstructed alternative viewpoint.↗↗

Bushwalking into the D'Aguilar Range

The real reason many visitors make the winding drive up to McAfee's Lookout is the network of bush tracks that fan out from the car park into the heart of D'Aguilar National Park. The most well-documented route is the Long Range Track, a 6.8 km circular walk with 279 metres of elevation gain that takes around two hours to complete. The trail begins along a fire road, drops down through undulating forest to Enoggera Creek, and then climbs back up through dense subtropical bush. Along the way you'll pass crystal-clear waterholes perfect for a cold dip — one of the most rewarding features of the walk.↗

The trail is not for the casual stroller. Multiple reviewers describe it as unmarked, overgrown, and easy to lose in places, especially after the creek crossing where the path disappears into thick scrub. A downloaded offline map or GPS is strongly recommended. The best approach for most walkers is counter-clockwise, which makes the steeper sections easier. Dogs are not permitted on this track, which helps keep the wildlife undisturbed.↗

For experienced navigators, a longer and more adventurous option crosses over Mount Arum and finishes at Enoggera Reservoir near Walkabout Creek. This multi-hour route passes old gold mine workings, a large tree with impressive buttress roots, and tracks through some of the park's wildest and most mossy rainforest sections. It's the kind of walk that rewards patience with discovery — the red triangle slug, Australia's largest native land slug, has been spotted on the damp forest floor here.↗↗

A Landscape Rich in History and Wildlife

D'Aguilar National Park — the largest protected area on the edge of any capital city in the world, spanning approximately 36,000 hectares — wraps around McAfee's Lookout in a sea of eucalypt forest and subtropical rainforest. The park was formally created in 1977 by amalgamating several smaller reserves and state forests, and gold fever gripped this area in the mid-1800s. Miners worked exposed ridges and dug deep shafts throughout the 1880s until the last hopefuls gave up in 1946. Remnants of those mineshafts dot the landscape along nearby tracks.↗↗↗

The forest around the lookout teems with life. Keen-eyed visitors can spot butterflies, wallabies, and an array of birds including parrots, honeyeaters, and the elusive eastern whipbird. In spring, wildflowers scatter through the understorey. The park's diverse habitats support over 900 insect species in just one rainforest tree type, making it a living laboratory for nature lovers.↗↗↗

Planning Your Visit

McAfee's Lookout is open 24 hours and free to access. The drive up from Brisbane's western suburbs along Mount Nebo Road (Tourist Route 8) is a scenic journey in itself, winding through the ranges with turnoffs for Bellbird Grove, Camp Mountain, and the nearby waterholes. The car park at the lookout offers both free and paid parking, and the site has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking space. There are scattered BBQ areas and seating spots nearby that make for a pleasant stop during a day of exploring the ranges.↗↗↗↗

The lookout is busiest on Saturday mornings around midday, so arrive early or on a weekday for a quieter experience. Weekday mornings tend to see the least foot traffic. Bring insect repellent, long sleeves for the bush tracks, and plenty of water. If you're hiking the Long Range Track or crossing over Mount Arum, make sure your phone is fully charged and you've downloaded the trail map offline. The best time to visit is during the cooler months from April to September, when the trails are less humid and creek levels are manageable for a dip.↗↗

Combine a visit to McAfee's Lookout with the nearby Golden Boulder Track at Bellbird Grove (a short turnoff on your way up) for a self-guided gold-mining history walk, or head further along to Jolly's Lookout for guaranteed panoramic views over the Samford Valley and Moreton Bay. Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre at the bottom of the road is an excellent starting point if you want a broader orientation to the park before driving up.↗↗

Getting There

From Brisbane CBD, follow Waterworks Road through The Gap and continue along Mount Nebo Road, a sealed and well-maintained road suitable for conventional vehicles. After approximately 4 km past Walkabout Creek, look for the McAfee's Lookout turnoff on the left of Mount Nebo Road, positioned between the Bellbird Grove turnoff and the Camp Mountain turnoff. A sign marks the junction, though some visitors note it can be easy to miss — keep a lookout. The total drive from Brisbane's western suburbs takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes.↗↗↗

What makes it special

01

Gateway to the Long Range Track — a 6.8 km circular bushwalk through subtropical rainforest with crystal-clear swimming holes↗

02

Once famous for panoramic views across Moreton Bay to Moreton Island↗↗

03

Set in D'Aguilar National Park, the largest protected area on the edge of any capital city in the world↗

04

Named after some of the earliest settlers on the D'Aguilar Range↗

05

Historic gold mining country with old shafts and workings nearby↗↗

A little planning goes a long way

Download offline maps before hiking the Long Range Track — the trail is poorly marked and easy to lose after the creek crossing↗
Go counter-clockwise on the Long Range circuit for the easier approach to steeper sections↗
Bring long sleeves and insect repellent for bush tracks; spiders and fallen trees are common obstacles↗
The lookout can be very windy due to its elevated position — good for a cool breeze, less good for an unravelling picnic↗
Saturday midday is the busiest time; weekday mornings or afternoons are quieter↗

About this guide

Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.

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821B Mount Nebo Rd, Enoggera Reservoir QLD 4520, Australia

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Opening hours +

As reported by Google Maps. Confirm holiday hours before you go.

Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours

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McAfee's Lookout

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McAfee's Lookout

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