Stand on the boardwalk at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre and you may find yourself eye-level with a koala dozing in the gum trees, a few minutes' walk from the edge of suburban Daisy Hill. Logan spreads from dense suburbs to rural land and river flats, and much of what is worth your time here sits in the bushland and waterways between them.
The city suits travellers based in Brisbane or the Gold Coast who want a half-day or full-day detour into forest, river and temple grounds rather than another stretch of coastline. It also suits anyone driving the corridor between the two cities who would rather break the trip somewhere green.
This guide covers the sights and activities named in the source material, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Logan City
1. Daisy Hill Koala Centre
This is a koala education centre in Daisy Hill Conservation Park, managed by the state government's parks organisation. The koalas here are wild animals that have been relocated to the centre because they were sick or injured, and you can see them along the boardwalks.
It is open daily from 10AM to 4PM, but closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Combine it with a walk in the surrounding forest, since the centre sits inside the conservation park.
2. Bush walk in the Daisy Hill State Forest
The forest holds over 400 hectares of gum forest with marked trails, ranging from short trips to walks of almost 10 km. Koalas can sometimes be seen, and kangaroos are common, particularly in the late evening.
Night tours of the forest can be arranged. If you are walking late in the day for the kangaroos, plan your route before dark and take a torch.
3. Chung Tian Temple
The temple is in Priestdale and is one of the city's notable visits. Allow time to look around the grounds rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Pair it with the Daisy Hill bushland, which lies in the same part of the city, to make a half day of it.
4. Cable Ski Park
The park at Carbrook is where you can wakeboard. It is one of the activity options the city is known for, and it sits near the Logan River at the eastern edge of the city.
Combine it with a look at the river itself, since Carbrook sits on the Logan River.
5. Bungy jumping
Logan is home to one of only two bungy jumps in Australia. If you have been considering trying it, this is one of the few places in the country where you can.
Book ahead if you are travelling specifically for the jump, and treat it as the anchor of a day rather than an add-on.
6. Mountain biking
The city has world-class mountain bike trails. Riders can build a session around them, and the trails suit a dedicated half day.
Check conditions before you ride, and carry your own water and repair kit as you would on any trail network.
7. The Logan and Albert rivers
Logan is fed by the Logan and Albert rivers, which support an enormous network of waterways across the city. The rivers are part of what makes the area feel far less built-up than its suburbs suggest.
Use them as a thread through your day: the Logan River runs past Carbrook in the east, and the Albert River reaches south towards Mundoolun.
8. The city's parks
There are over 950 parks across Logan, from suburban reserves to larger green spaces. They are the easiest way to break up a day of driving between sights.
Pick one near wherever you already are rather than making a special trip, and use it for a rest stop.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre when it opens at 10AM, then walk one of the marked trails in the Daisy Hill State Forest while you are already there.
Afternoon: Drive to Priestdale to visit the Chung Tian Temple. Afterwards, head east to Carbrook for the Cable Ski Park, or continue on to the Logan River.
Evening: Return to the Daisy Hill State Forest for the late evening, when kangaroos are common, or arrange a night tour of the forest. If you are staying longer, this is also the time to fit in the bungy jump or the mountain bike trails on another day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Daisy Hill Koala Centre open?
It is open daily from 10AM to 4PM, and closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Can you see koalas and kangaroos in Logan?
Yes. Koalas can sometimes be seen in the Daisy Hill State Forest, and kangaroos are common there, particularly in the late evening. The koalas at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre are wild animals that were relocated there because they were sick or injured.
What water activities are available?
You can wakeboard at the Cable Ski Park in Carbrook. The city is also fed by the Logan and Albert rivers, which support an extensive network of waterways.
Is there anything for adrenaline seekers?
Logan has one of only two bungy jumps in Australia, and the city also has mountain bike trails.
Decide which of these fits your day, check the Daisy Hill Koala Centre's opening days against your dates, and you have enough to start planning a trip to Logan City.