This spring, Tawny Trails invites you to Awaken Your Senses with a full day of exploration, creativity, and natural beauty. On Saturday, October 26th, the trail transforms into a celebration of colour, flavour, sound, and connection — the perfect way to welcome the season.
A Multi-Sensory Journey
From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, visitors can immerse themselves in experiences designed to engage every sense. Whether it’s the sight of wildflowers in bloom, the taste of fresh local produce, or the joy of discovering art along the way, Tawny Trails is where spring truly comes alive.
Highlights include:
• 👀 See the wildlife, & colours of spring while visiting private studios & bushland
• 👂 Hear the sounds of nature as you explore rainforest gardens & walks
• ✋ Feel inspired by local artists through galleries & private studios tours.
• 👃 Smell fresh blooms & seasonal aromas on the breeze.
• 👅 Taste regional food, wine, & picnic delights.
More details below
Families, couples, solo adventurers, and groups of friends will all find something to love along the trail. Children can discover wildlife and play in nature, while adults unwind with photography, creative encounters, and gourmet grazing.
Tawny Trails is a journey for the soul. With nature at its brightest, artists sharing their craft, and delicious local flavours along the way, this event is the perfect way to celebrate spring in full bloom.
Visiting private and community galleries offers a completely different experience from large public galleries and museums. While public institutions are dedicated to preserving and showcasing historical and established art, smaller galleries provide a unique and intimate window into the contemporary art world and local creative communities.
You’re more likely to encounter the raw energy of an artist’s early work and witness the development of a unique style. This is where new movements and ideas often begin.
there’s always something new to see, and you can visit a gallery multiple times a year and have a fresh experience each time. From large to small, colourful to black and white, sculptural to classics, you can see it all
Dayboro Art Gallery
Pat Hall
Kay Philp
Phoenix Sculpture Garden
Running Duck Studio
The Artists Cove
The drive itself is a visual masterpiece. Starting at Mount Mee, you’ll be greeted by expansive, panoramic views that stretch across the countryside. From lookouts like Dahmongah Lookout Park, you can take in the stunning vista of the surrounding area, with the iconic Glass House Mountains standing majestically in the distance. The landscape transitions from open farmland and green, rolling hills to dense, subtropical rainforest as you ascend towards Mount Glorious. The backroads wind through lush canopies, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating a magical, ever-changing light show.
The Tawny Trails are a gateway to the natural wonders of the D’Aguilar National Park. As you move from the Mount Mee section to Mount Glorious, the environment transforms into a world of towering trees, lush ferns, and crystal-clear creeks. This is a place for those who love to get up close and personal with nature.
Birdwatching: The area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The dense rainforest at Mount Glorious is home to a variety of species, including the elusive and namesake Tawny Frogmouth. You might also spot brightly colored kingfishers, whipbirds, and other native birds in their natural environment.
Other Wildlife: In addition to birds, the D’Aguilar National Park is home to a number of other animals. You may catch a glimpse of wallabies grazing in open fields, or spot a goanna sunning itself on a rock. The rich biodiversity of the region makes every walk a potential wildlife encounter.
listen for the croaking of frogs and the rhythmic sounds of running creeks.
Bird Calls
The forest canopy and undergrowth are alive with the distinct calls of numerous bird species. Some of the most characteristic sounds you’ll hear include:
Other Nature Sounds
Beyond the calls of birds and frogs, the rainforest offers a range of other sounds that contribute to its unique atmosphere:
The rustle of leaves as a pademelon or other small animal moves through the undergrowth.
The trickling or bubbling of water from the small creeks and waterfalls, especially after rain.
The buzzing and whirring of insects.
The creaking and groaning of ancient trees as they sway in the wind.
Phoenix Sculpture Garden
Maiala Rainforest
The Gantry
The Atmosphere of the Studio
Stepping into an artist’s studio is like walking into their mind. The air hums with a tangible energy of creation. You’re not just seeing the finished product, but the raw, unfiltered evidence of its journey. The feeling is one of discovery and curiosity. You might see:
This access to the artist’s world demystifies the creative process. It replaces the awe of an unapproachable masterpiece with a sense of shared humanity and possibility. It makes you feel that creativity is not just a gift, but a discipline, and that with passion and effort, anyone can create.
Kay Philp
Phoenix Sculpture Garden
Ann Russell
Pat Hall
Floral Fragrances: Spring is a time of blooming, and many rainforest plants release their perfume to attract pollinators. You might catch the sweet scent of Bolwarra flowers, which have a distinctive, ether-like perfume. The Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) is another standout, with its strong, sweet fragrance. While not as common, the “chocolate scent” of certain flowering trees can also waft through the air.
Citrus and Spice Notes: The Australian rainforest is home to many plants with aromatic foliage. Crushing a leaf from a Yellow Wood (Acronychia oblongifolia) releases a pleasant citrusy smell from its oil glands. You might also notice a scent reminiscent of cinnamon or bubblegum from the crushed leaves of Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia).
Our artists gardens are in full bloom:
Phoenix Sculpture Garden
Ann Russell
Pat Hall
Running Duck Studio
The exquisite fragrance of great coffee can be indulged in from early morning at Jimmy Pickle in Dayboro, to get your day started right
Ocean View Estates: The vineyard is at its most beautiful in October/November with buds setting for the 2026 vintage. About
Flight of Wine & Dine
(Flight of Wine/Chefs choice 4 course meal) Enjoy a flight of the 5 winemakers favourite wines while being treated to 4 courses of the Chefs favourite dishes. About
pre-booked picnics in the vines at www.oceanviewestates.com.au . For our creatives why not bring an easel or sketch pad for some inspiration in the vineyard
Other gorgeous Picnic spots check out Picnic on Tawny
Tawny Trails operates the last Sunday of each month, 10am-3pm, with many locations open year-round. Visit tawnytrails.com for the interactive map and full details. The trail is supported by Arts Queensland and Running Duck Studio and celebrates the creative spirit of the Moreton Bay region.
No Planning Required (Seriously)
In an age of overscheduled weekends, Tawny Trails offers something radical: spontaneity. Here’s your entire planning process:
That’s it. Here’s what locals love: small crowds (you’re visiting working artists, and cute county towns, not tourist traps), no entry fees, no bookings needed (except for accommodation), no tickets to buy, and parking right at the door. All locations are free to browse.