Brisbane Lookout Mt Coot-tha

Highest point in Brisbane with a beautiful view of the city and a cool spot for lunch during the summer months. Or be sure to plan your day with a picnic lunch and the many hiking trails cutting through the eucalyptus forest. The Powerful Owl trail is a nice workout starting at Silky Oak Picnic Area.

There is not much to write for this one. The park is beautiful. The view of the city skyline and surrounding area is stunning at that height and the only downside to this beautiful peak is how touristy it gets and the slight let down of the quality of food at the café at the top.
Luckily there is a public bus that runs to the top which is so handy and for those that cycle a lane entirely yours!

Beautiful spot near the city centre (10−15minutes by car or more less 20 minutes by 471 bus from CBD). Nice walk as well. Could be a nice bicycle ride downhill. Pretty nice coffee shop on the top of the mountain with gorgeous view. One of the must see things in Brisbane.

I found the Mt Cootha lookout a good place to take visitors to Brisbane, especially if you have a few hours to a half a day to fill. There is a very nice panoramic view over Brisbane, and a nice café to sit at to grab a snack and conversation. The place is nicely landscaped, and there was enough parking for a weekday afternoon, although I felt like there wouldn’t be enough parking on a busier day, like a busy weeknight or weekend. After stopping by the lookout and realizing it would be no more than an hour’s visit, we decided to go to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary after, which is pretty close by (if you’re driving, not sure about public transportation). If we were into hiking or a more substantial meal, I’m sure we could have stayed at the lookout for longer.

This was the first stop I made in Brisbane. As a tourist, it was perfect to see such a gorgeous view of the city and surrounding suburbs.
Took the 471 bus from the city, about 20 minutes, and they run every hour. It’s a pretty lookout, you can see all of the Brisbane beauty. I went on a Sunday, and it was pretty populated for a lookout. They also have a restaurant, café and souvenir shop, pretty convenient.
Go on a sunny day, when the sky is clear so you take advantage of the view. Plus, it’s free! Definitely worth the time to go up and see.

«You… *walked* up Mt Coot-​tha?» my friend asked me over dinner the other night. «People don’t walk up Mt Coot-​tha. I drove it once and thought that was a long way!»
Yep. I walked up it. And not through the nice hiking paths through the middle of the park with all of the water fountains along it. I picked a spot on the map, thought it would be cool to go visit, got off the train at Toowong and just started to walk… obeying signs directing me in places I could and could not walk-​like on the freeway.
Admittedly, I did have somewhat of a plan. My online maps told me there was a lookout and if I walked along the scenic route, I’d get there. So that’s the path I took, a little bit farther up from the Planetarium. Halfway up a bus passed me. But I was already halfway… I couldn’t take a bus NOW.
I have no idea how long it took me, just that the last steep hill in the parking lot at the lookout nearly did me in. But I persevered and I made it. The view was gorgeous-​stretching across the Brisbane skyline and over in to surrounding areas. Man, the lengths we’ll go to for a good view. Or is it that all the hard work makes the view that much more enjoyable? I’m not sure.
What I do know is this:
a) The beer I had atop that mountain wouldn’t have tasted nearly as good had I driven or taken the bus up.
b) I rejoiced in the free wifi when I got up there. Gotta share the moment!
c) What goes up must come down! While up there, I found a giant sign with a map with all of the hiking trails. I had more than enough water for the much easier walk back down.
d) People DO walk up Mt Coot-​tha. I met them on the paths!

we did a night bus tour to this lovely spot. A must see both day and night, day time you see everything Brisbane has to offer and at night it looks like millions of twinkling stars over Brisbane. There is also Summit Restaurant where i had a lovely chicken burger and salad.

Brisbane’s Mt Coot-​tha Lookout is iconic in this fine city. It is lovely to visit during all times of the day, we are talking dusk until dawn. The top of the mountain is equipped with a café, fine dining restaurant, a bar and souvenir shop. There are those coin binoculars that are reminiscent of childhood so that you can optimise your view of the city.
I have spent many a summer evening eating delicious ice cream in cones with my husband while taking in the incredible view that surrounds. Going up there when you need time to clear your head, is almost entirely healing of your woes. Many cool evenings sitting with friends watching families bring their children up there for the first time. It is definitely the ultimate place to bring people visiting the city. But, possibly the most fun, being parked talking deeply by a friend when suspecting the people in the car in front of you are doing the deed. Very fun.
Another fantastic attribute of Mt Coot-​tha look out is that you can spend nothing or spend hundreds of dollars and still have a great time, either way.

Wheel of Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium, Kurilpa Bridge, glimpses of the airport, Toowong Cemetery. From atop of Mt Coot-​ha at the viewing deck of the look out you can point out some of our cities most well known landmarks from this birds eye view of Brisbane proper. There’s not a great deal more to be said that differs from other reviewers ode to this well-​worn tourist attraction. Stay for a short time or a long time — maybe have lunch at Summit — I read they have a $ 35 for two-​course lunch deal at the moment. A steal with views like this!

Walks are great and the view is best on a clear night.

The Brisbane Lookout at Mt Coot-​tha is a must-​visit destination for any tourist or people who are new to the city. It is the spot where you get a great view of Brisbane city and river. As corny as it may sound– every time I come here, I am reminded how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful city.
The Mt Coot-​tha lookout offers great views anytime of the day but I suggest coming here just before sunset as that is when the view looks its best (the glare can get irritating if you come during the daytime when it is sunny). Although the place does get crowded, finding a nice spot to gaze at the city is not usually that hard.
There are different ways to get to the look-​out, you can either hike, drive or come on a bus as part of a your guide.
So if you have any relatives visiting in the near future, make sure you include the Brisbane Lookout at Mt Coot-​tha in your holiday plan.

On one of my boyfriend and I’s first dates, we drove to Mt Cootha with some Thai takeaway in the hopes for a romantic getaway. When we got there the parks were mostly taken, and hard to maneuver out of, but we managed to find a little hovel somewhere near the base of the lookout and trudge our way to the top.
We must have come on a busy night (in hindsight I’ve realised it was still school holidays — BIG MISTAKE) because the railings overlooking the lookout were totally packed, as was the viewing tower at the very top. There were a lot of couples holding hands and sharing a private moment, but there was way more kids screaming and running around while their parents tried to get a handle of them.
It was still a lovely date because you can’t fault that beautiful view, but I’d recommend coming here as a family outing over a private place to make out. A lot of groups had the right idea and brought picnic blankets and coats to rest on on one of the grassy, hillier parts of the lookout.

I bring all my out of town guests to the Mt Coot-​tha Lookout to see the panoramic views of Brisbane. If it’s a clear day you can see out to Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Island.
There’s a café up there, a gift shop, a restaurant and an ice cream bar. I do love to enjoy an ice-​cream while taking in the views.
You can drive up to the Lookout but parking can be a bitch during peak times. So you might have to park a little way down the mouton and walk up.
Or if you’re feeling adventurous, I suggest parking down at the J C Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and walking up the Summit Track. A 3.8km journey up and back, which takes about 30 minutes up and 30 minutes down again. This way you avoid the parking struggle at the Lookout.

As a teenager in Brisbane’s western suburbs Mount Cootha was an important part of my social life. Too young to drink in pubs, we’d head up here for a hot chocolate, a deep and meaningful or two and, if you were lucky, a sneaky snog.
I’m older, wiser and able to drink in pubs now, but I still hold a soft spot for this place. I’m sure teenagers are still huddled in the shadows at night time, but now I notice the families and groups of friends who come up for the view.
The restaurant is passable but not spectacular, which is a shame as the view would make an amazing back drop for a fine dining experience (with day kiosk for families of course).
If you have people visiting from out of town, or just want to enjoy the high places with a significant other, Mt Cootha is a great escape that’s practically inner city.

It’s a cliché, but every Brisbanite or visitor to the city should see the view from Mt Cootha at least once, and if you can bear the early start, I highly recommend getting up there for sunrise.
Some friends and I decided one night that we’d wake up at some ungodly hour the next day and make the trip up there. It was, at least, Winter, so sunrise wasn’t as early as what it could have been. There were some initial grumbles, but the view from the top quickly woke us up. It was a cloudy morning, but being on top of Mt Cootha meant being above the clouds. Watching the sun rise from beneath the cloudy blanket was breathtaking. There was even a Christian youth group there welcoming the sunrise with songs of praise.
My friends and I descended the mountain feeling as if we’d had some kind of religious experience. Not a bad way to start the day, but be sure to schedule an afternoon nap!

Alrighty, listen up chaps. Whatever you do, don’t take your date on a ‘surprise adventure’ when you live a good half hour from Mt Cootha. It’s like I was trying to reenact a scene from Wolf Creek or something. As we traveled up the giant mountain, I had forgotten how desolated it looks from suburban Brisbane. Either way, just put your fellow travelers mind at ease that you are definitely not going to murder them and dump their body in the bush.
If you ever want to see Brisbane high up then there’s no better place. Check it out when you can, because the view can be absolutely brilliant, just make sure you don’t managle an inconsiderate cyclist on your way there and back. Yes I know, cyclist are saving the planet and all that, but it’s not great idea to become a martyr.
If you’re a photographer, you HAVE to do a sunrise /​sunset. Do it today.

Also conveniently known to youngsters as Shagging Mountain… if you don’t know what that means, I am not going to tell you. It is the Brisbane romantic spot, where couples go for the ‘view’ and to eat at the fancy restaurant. Lots of weddings happen here, lots of late nights, lots of New Years Eve Firework sightings, Brisbane Meteor sightings, it’s a great place.
There is a café where you can get your nacho’s fix, there is a restaurant where you can take your special someone to wine and dine, the view is just magnificent… one of the only places, if not the only place to get a 360 degree view of Brisbane. Tour groups and what not always come here, and on the lookout there are lit up stars on the floor, which show you the Southern Cross formation… pretty!
This is a great place to go if you’re a tourist, it’s a great place to go for that peace of mind. It’s a fantastic place to go with your partner and kids will love the little fountain too… although i’m pretty sure they’re not supposed to touch it… why are kids always attracted to water so much?! I like the crispy skinned salmon dish in the restaurant, the best salmon in a restaurant i’ve ever tasted. I love it.
Parking is at a premium sometimes, so you may have to do a bit of hiking as well. If you’re a hiker, you can hike down several trails from this lookout that end up in Chapel Hill… great exercise!

After the perfect perspective on Brisbane? Looking to showboat our sensational River City to family and friends? Or how about just getting a feel for the fabulous place in which you live? Well, if you’ve answered «yes» to any of the previous questions, then join me at the place that delivers absolute perfection to your desire and it’s at Brisbane Lookout at Mt Coot-​tha. This lofty platform is the ideal spot to take in the sensational views of Brisbane that stretch down and across the Central Business District and out toward the Stradbroke Islands, north to Moreton Island and south to the Gold Coast hinterland. On a clear day you can even see the planes land and take off at Brisbane airport which is a good 25 km away and it doesn’t stop there. The Brisbane river in all its glory can be seen snaking its way through the city, with ferries crossing from one side to the other and some of the massive and opulent homes that are built on the riverbank. Be sure and bring your camera because the pictures are definitely worth framing, and if such escapades work up an appetite you’ll find plenty of light tucker to tantalise your taste-​buds at the Kuta Café. You’ll never look at Brisbane the same way again!