Easy hikes and walks in Mt Coot-Tha Reserve

The Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout sits at an elevation of 287 metres above sea level and has breathtaking views across the Brisbane skyline to Moreton Bay. This large viewing platform sits just below the summit at 226 metres. There is a large car park here, access to bushwalking tracks, The Summit Restaurant & Bar, The Summit Café and well maintained public toilets. This area is open all day every day with no admission fees, and is a great place to watch the sun set.

This trailhead is a convenient starting point for exploring the extensive network of walking trails through the more than 1,600 hectares of native bushland. From here, you can access Honeyeater Track and several connecting routes that wind through open eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies, and past seasonal creeks on the way toward the summit or deeper into the reserve. There is ample parking, picnic tables and a trail map, making it an ideal starting point for both short bushwalks and longer circuit hikes.

Honeyeater Track is a well-maintained path that climbs through beautiful open eucalypt forest, crossing gullies and rocky sections as it winds uphill. Along the way, you’ll spot plenty of native birds, butterflies, and water dragons basking in the sun before the track connects with other trails that lead to the summit and the surrounding reserve. It’s a great route on its own for a short climb, or you can combine it with neighbouring tracks to create a longer walk through one of Brisbane’s largest natural bushland areas.

This wide dirt track parallels Sir Samuel Griffith Drive as it winds up to the summit of Mount Coot-Tha. The path is easy to follow and suitable for all ability levels.

An old gold mine camp sits next to the picnic area, and you can walk around and check out the ruins and signs containing the storied history of ore extraction in these hills.

This sculpture references one of Australia’s most recognisable native birds, known for its loud territorial call that resembles human laughter. Set among the surrounding bushland, the artwork ties into the birdlife commonly found around Mount Coot-tha and wider Brisbane. The kookaburra has long been associated with the Australian bush, and large-scale kookaburra sculptures have become a recurring feature in Australian public art and roadside culture.

Mt Coot-tha Reserve is a large natural area on the western edge of Brisbane known for its bushland, scenic lookouts, and popular attractions, including the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and summit precinct. There is an extensive network of walking and cycling tracks in the reserve that wind through dry eucalypt forest and pockets of subtropical vegetation, connecting key areas across the mountain. With shaded bushland, abundant wildlife, and occasional views of the city, it offers plenty of options for outdoor recreation to immerse yourself in nature.

Powerful Owl Trail in Mount Coot-tha Reserve is a well-defined bush dirt and gravel track that begins with a steady uphill climb before easing into a more gradual elevation. Winding through eucalypt forest, the trail is relatively easy, making it an ideal route for all fitness levels. There are multiple trail junctions along the way that lead into the wider trail network, making it a popular route for walkers and runners, offering plenty of options for short or extended loops throughout the park.