Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Overview

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha cover 52 hectares at the foot of the mountain, featuring distinct themed gardens including a Japanese garden, a tropical dome, an arid zone, and one of Australia's largest collections of tropical and subtropical plants.

Highlights

• Japanese Garden: A tranquil Zen garden with a lake, stone lanterns, and traditional tea pavilion.
• Tropical Display Dome: A climate-controlled dome housing tropical orchids, ferns, and carnivorous plants.
• National Garden: Native Australian plants arranged by state and territory.

History

Opened in 1976 to replace the original City Botanic Gardens as the primary botanical research facility, the Mt Coot-tha gardens were developed to showcase subtropical horticulture and serve as a conservation resource.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Free guided walks depart from the entrance at 11 am on weekdays.
• Tip 2: Bring a picnic — there are sheltered picnic areas near the Japanese Garden.
• Duration: 1–2 hours.