What’s on in Mount Coot-tha

Mount Coot-tha is one of the better suburbs on here for a day outdoors, and about half of what’s on costs nothing. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, on Mt Coot-tha Road, carries the biggest share: garden walks and events across the grounds. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium alongside it runs dome shows, and the Gap Creek Reserve picnic area adds bushland sessions. The mix leans to nature and things made for families, with workshops, fitness mornings and the odd cultural event filling in. Weekends are the busiest, Saturday and Sunday both.

Plan the drive. Public transport up the mountain is limited, so most people come by car; there’s parking at the gardens, with the planetarium on the same road. Brisbane City Council runs both, and its Botanic Gardens page lists access, parking and opening hours — worth checking before you head up. Gap Creek Reserve, further along, has its own picnic area and walking tracks for an afternoon in the bush.