Just 5km from the Brisbane CBD, Mt Coot-tha Forest is a must do nature experience. Introduce interstate and international visitors to the best of Brisbane with a day at Mt Coot-tha Forest.
Quick Info
Location: Mt Coot-tha Rd, Mt Coot-tha QLD, 4066
Walking Distance: 2km-60km
Elevation: Some hills, some very steep hills
Time: 1 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult depending on track chosen
Costs/Permit: No cost, no permit required
Opening Times: Some tracks closed occasionally for maintenance
Facilities: Nine different picnic areas, toilets at the summit and near most of the picnic grounds (not Gold Mine picnic area), BBQs, picnic tables, 80km of trails
What to take: Water, camera, insect repellant, picnic
Map:
Mt Coot-tha Forest is Brisbane’s largest conservation reserve at over 1500 hectares. With over 60kms of bushwalking tracks, and around 80kms including mountain bike riding and horse trails, there is a track suited to you.
Most of the forest is made up of open eucalypt forest. The tracks are of varying levels of difficulty and are mostly well signed. If you are planning on taking a less popular track make sure to familiarise yourself with a trail map first. TRACKS are generally for bushwalkers only and are two way. TRAILS are multi use and are also two way.
From time to time some of the tracks will be closed, however there is generally an alternate route to get to the same destination. In part of 2019 the popular Summit Track was closed for maintenance, but the Mahogany Trail, which also went to the summit, was available.
With nine different picnic areas to choose from, there is sure to be room for you. Public toilets are available at the summit and are near most of the picnic areas; Gold Mine picnic area is the noteable exception.
After heavy rain the waterfalls and creeks are spectacular, however after a typical dry spell they are a mere trickle. The creek flowing alongside JC Slaughter Falls picnic grounds is a great spot for rock hopping; but beware—some rocks are very slippery!
Mt Coot-tha Forest is a fabulous family day out. Pack a picnic or sizzle some sausages, just make sure that you experience the best of Brisbane.