There is so much to see and do on Mount Coot-tha for lovers of nature visiting the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is an interesting destination of natural bush and a landmark of Brisbane, as it is two hundred and eighty seven metres tall and the highest mountain in Queensland. It is clearly visible from most of the city of Brisbane, and a popular sight-seeing destination for tourists.
Mount Coot-tha offers its visitors walking and bike trails, a mountain drive, fantastic viewing over Brisbane City from the Lookout, a waterfall, Botanical Gardens, and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. It is also the start of the Ithaca Creek.
At the Lookout, besides taking in the spectacular view, hunger and thirst is taken care of with a restaurant and café, the Summit Restaurant and the Kuta Café. A gift shop enables visitors to take home some memorabilia of their time at Mount Coot-tha.
The vegetation of Brisbane Lookout Mt Coot-tha
There is more than fifteen hundred hectare of eucalypt forest to take in of Spotted Gum, Grey gum, Forest red gum and narrow-leafed ironbark. A variety of Acacia species, that includes Broadleaf wattle and Golden wattle, as well as many shrubs and grasses. The ground cover is of native grasses such as Kangaroo grass and Blady grass.
Drive along the Sir Samuel Griffith Drive than goes through the forest of the outer edge of Mount Coot-tha. Besides stopping at vantage points to admire the view, it is possible to spend time relaxing with a picnic, as there are many picnic areas on this forest drive of renown.
Relics from the past
Remnants of the gold mining days can be seen that include a shaft structure and trolley line made of wood, a battery site, iron cover, concrete plinth, a dam, and an ore sump. Although there used to be Gold Mining in Queensland, it was not usually mined so close to Brisbane.
Left behind from the Second World War you find concrete slabs and drains and foot bridges for creek crossings at the J.C.Slaughter Falls and at the Hoop Pine Picnic Grounds. In the J.C.Slaughter Falls Park next to one of the walking trails there is evidence of a Detonator Locker cut into the hillside. It is partly covered with soil; however, the makers stamp is still clearly visible.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens
At the beginning of Mount Coot-tha you find the premier Queensland sub-tropical botanical gardens, Brisbane Botanic Gardens. They are open to public viewing from September until March from 8.30am – 5.30pm, and from April until August 8am – 5pm. There is no entrance fee but you may not bring any dogs into the gardens.
Many events and activities are held in the Botanical Gardens, including gardening workshops for adults and for children there is story time. Alternatively, you can go on a guided walking tour.
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Located in the grounds of the Botanic Garden is the interesting Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium offering its visitors an opportunity to learn about the universal world above us. Activities are on offer for adults and children alike.
