Brisbane Botanic Gardens to Mount Coot-Tha

Starting from the bus stop near the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mount Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Coot-Tha mostly via the Spotted Gum Trail. The said trail has majestic Spotted Gum Trees along it, which are home to cockatoos as well as other animal species. Keep an eye out for goshawks as well, you might see one if you get lucky. Expect a great scenery as you make your way through the peaceful eucalypt forest. You’ll be crossing the branches of Toowong Creek which are best viewed after some decent rain. The summit has almost everything you need; panoramic views over Brisbane, a restaurant & a cafe, and of course the much-needed toilet facilities. Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to access this trail between 8AM and 4PM. Although dogs are allowed on leash in Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, the botanic gardens does not allow them. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-27.4752773,152.9767166)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Inner City Bypass, M3 Turn on to Inner City Bypass, M3 then drive for 1.6 km Keep left and drive for another 215 m Turn right onto Milton Road, 32 and drive for another 2.9 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Mount Coot-tha Road and drive for another 285 m Keep right and drive for another 145 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Mount Coot-tha Road, T7 and drive for another 620 m Turn left and drive for another 40 m Turn left and drive for another 40 m Turn right and drive for another 60 m Turn right and drive for another 30 m

Track Notes

Getting started
From the bus stop(Stop 19) near the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, head along the reddish paver sidewalk as you turn the corner, keeping the planetarium to your left. Veer right and get on the road from the yellow-marked “Drop Off Zone”, then veer right at the fork and pass over a “No Entry” sign, also passing by a “No Dogs Allowed” on the metal fence to your right. Keep right at the next fork and head along the paved road to continue along the Brisbane Botanic Gardens to Mount Coot-Tha Track. Follow the Spotted Gum Trail signage.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Botanic Gardens Cafe (about 110 m back from the start). After 160 m pass the water tap (20 m on your left).
	After another 10 m turn sharp right. After another 15 m pass the toilet (50 m on your right).
	Turn left. After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
	Veer right.
	After another 50 m continue straight. After another 185 m continue straight. After another 105 m pass the water tap (on your right). Then pass the shelter (55 m on your left).
	Continue straight. After another 8 m pass the toilet (10 m on your right). After another 75 m come to the viewpoint (10 m on your right).
	After another 35 m turn right.
	After another 25 m turn right. After another 135 m continue straight. After another 15 m pass the water tap (6 m on your right). After another 10 m continue straight. After another 60 m pass a seat (15 m on your left).
	After another 55 m continue straight. After another 15 m pass the water tap (15 m on your left). After another 6 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left). After another 80 m pass the car park (6 m on your left). Then pass the picnic table (60 m on your left). After another 195 m continue straight. After another 75 m pass the sign (on your left).
	Turn left, to head along Citriodora Trail. After another 6 m pass the shelter (on your right). Then pass the water tap (on your right). After another 25 m head through/around the gate. 08:00-16:00
	After another 15 m turn right, to head along Citriodora Trail.
	After another 270 m (at the intersection of Citriodora Trail & Spotted Gum Trail) veer left, to head along Spotted Gum Trail (a footpath).
	After another 530 m veer left, to head along Spotted Gum Trail.
	After another 305 m veer right, to head along Spotted Gum Trail.
	After another 205 m veer right, to head along Spotted Gum Trail.
	After another 35 m veer right.
	After another 120 m turn right.
	After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Spotted Gum Trail.
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Spotted Gum Trail & Frogmouth Trail) veer right, to head along Spotted Gum Trail.
	After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Spotted Gum Trail. Keep left.
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Lookout Trail & Spotted Gum Trail) turn sharp right, to head along Lookout Trail (a walking track). After another 120 m continue straight, to head along Lookout Trail. After another 150 m pass the "Main Parking Lot" (20 m on your right). This car park is wheelchair accessible.
	Turn sharp right. After another 75 m pass the sign (9 m on your left). Then pass the toilet (25 m on your left). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. Then pass the water tap (9 m on your left). Then come to the "Mt Coot-tha Lookout" (20 m on your left). This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible. After another 8 m pass the "Mount Coot-tha (One Tree Hill)" (20 m on your left).
	Continue another 105 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.6 km to get back to the start.

Terrain

Brisbane Botanic Gardens to Mount Coot-Tha

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	7.2 km
Time	2 h 45 min to 4 h

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.4 km apart with the largest gap of 6 km.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.4 km apart with the largest gap of 3.7 km.

Seat: There is one 770 m from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	70 m	[toilet]
Toilet	410 m	[toilet]
Shelter	430 m	[shelter]
Seat	770 m	[seat]
Toilet	840 m	[toilet]
Shelter	1.2 km	[shelter]
Toilet	3.5 km	[toilet]

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