Toohey Forest is often referred to as an 'Island in Suburbia' due to it being surrounded on all sides by human development. At approximately 640 hectares in size, Toohey Forest is typical of the open eucalypt forests that would once have occurred across large parts of the greater Brisbane area. It also features small pockets of vine forest which are associated with the ephemeral creeks that punctuate the landscape. Toohey Forest forms part of the Lower Brisbane catchment, with creeks linked to both the Oxley and Bulimba catchments.
Due in part to the close proximity to the Brisbane CBD, Toohey Forest lacks wildlife corridors which connect it to other surrounding forest. The lack of corridors prevents many ground dwelling species from safely accessing the forest. One of the challenges facing wildlife in an urbanised environment is safe movement between remnant forest habitats. Over time, this has resulted in select species disappearing from Toohey Forest, including Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) and kangaroos (Family Macropodidae). Despite this, the forest continues to support a substantial number of species, including some which have been declared 'endangered' (e.g. Koala - Phascolarctos cinereus) and 'vulnerable' (e.g. Powerful Owl - Ninox strenua, Glossy Black Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus lathami; Tusked Frog - Adelotus brevis) under the Nature Conservation Act of Queensland.