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Find things to see and do at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Take in the plant zones and trails and see what’s on.

Visitors observing plants inside the Tropical Display Dome at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.

Discover the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha were officially opened in 1976.

After 8 major floods swept through the City Botanic Gardens between 1870 and 1974, Council chose Mt Coot-tha as the site for the new botanic gardens. 

Today, the botanic gardens are home to a thriving world of plants.  

Visit the gardens to see flourishing habitats, including rainforests, woodlands and wetlands. Experience the tranquillity of the Japanese Garden and step inside the iconic Tropical Display Dome. 

With a range of attractions and easy-to-follow trails, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is a must-visit for plant enthusiasts, families and Brisbane visitors. 

Enjoy plant life and garden attractions

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is home to more than 200,000 plants and 7,000 species from Australia and across the globe.

See native and exotic plants in their natural habitats. Along the way, visit inspiring structures and spy artworks and native wildlife.

Discover visually striking dry region plants from Africa and Central America, such as the stem-succulent Euphorbia and the juicy-leaved Aloe.

Spanning 27 hectares, this area includes more than 40 rare or threatened native species. You’ll also find an open eucalypt forest, heathland, wetlands, and tropical and subtropical rainforest gardens.

See one of the largest publicly owned bonsai displays in Australia. It includes trained native and exotic plants such as figs, conifers, camellias, azaleas and subtropical deciduous species. 

The Bonsai House is open 9am–4pm daily.

Take in more than 80 different species and varieties of ferns, from ferns that live on rocks and trees to those that survive in water.

The Fern House is open 9am–4pm daily.

Pay your respects to servicemen and women, and those who worked on the land, in protected industries and organisations such as the Red Cross. The memorial offers a place to contemplate and reflect on the spirit of freedom.

Follow the trail that begins near the Japanese Garden for an adventure full of surprises, learning and fun. Pick up a trail map at the Visitor Information Centre or download a copy.

Designed by leading landscape artist Kenzo Ogata, the Japanese Garden features elements of stone, water, ornaments, arbours, paths and vegetation. See evergreen gardens, native and exotic plants and tranquil bodies of water.

Marvel at different types of bamboo, including Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa textilis and Dendrocalamus giganteus

Spot a variety of wildlife in the nearby lagoon, including turtles, egrets, cormorants, dusky moorhens, eels, lizards and eastern water dragons.

Encounter tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs and vines on the Australian Rainforest Trail, Australian Plants Trail and the Exotic Rainforest on the Gardens Explorer Trail.

Immerse yourself in a multisensory learning experience. Smell the blooms in season, feel the leaves of assorted mints and lavenders, and see culinary and medicinal herbs.

Admire modern sculptures crafted by local artists. After a time, these sculptures are displayed in the gardens as part of Council’s public art collection.

Discover plants from the tropical regions of the world, including aroids, calatheas, heliconias, caladiums, palms and epiphytes.

See a variety of tropical food crop plants in the temperature-controlled section of the dome, including Indian arrowroot, African nutmeg and cocoa.

The Tropical Display Dome is open 9am-4pm daily.

Trails in the botanic gardens

Explore the botanic gardens at your own pace by following the curated trails. Each themed trail leads you through different plant collections and attractions.

You can find information on the trails and a map in the visitor wayfinding guide.

Gardens Explorer Trail

See the botanic garden’s most popular attractions, including the Tropical Display Dome, Japanese Garden and Bonsai House.

Queensland Conservation Trail

Wander by the lagoon, playground and amphitheatre as you learn about Queensland’s flora.

Bunya Forest Trail

Discover plants from Queensland’s iconic Bunya Mountains, home of the distinctive bunya pines, Araucaria bidwillii.

Australian Plants Trail

Marvel at the diversity of Australia’s ecosystems. Experience wetlands, a palm grove and subtropical and tropical rainforests.

Australian Rainforest Trail

Step into a green oasis filled with subtropical and tropical species from Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

Facilities and other features 

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha have everything you need for a day out, including an onsite cafe, picnic areas and information centre.

Guided walks, bookable event spaces and nature-based learning opportunities for schools are also available.

To make the most of your time at the botanic gardens, plan your visit.

mdi information outline

Tip

Save some time for a peek inside the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

The space discovery centre is located near the entry to the botanic gardens.

Explore events and workshops

Find out what’s on at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. 

More parks and gardens in Brisbane

Botanical bliss

Learn more about native trees and plants at Brisbane’s other botanic gardens. 

Two young women looking at plants in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.

Fitness and fun

Find playgrounds, scooter tracks and free outdoor events at local parks.

Two young girls playing in the nature-play area at Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre.

Explore Mt Coot-tha

From forest walking trails to panoramic summit views, there’s plenty to see and do. 

Couple walking at Mt Coot-tha Reserve.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are free and low-cost events at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.

You can:

  • explore the gardens on a guided tour
  • get crafty and creative in an arts and crafts session 
  • get your heart pumping in an outdoor fitness class
  • seek hidden treasure on a botanic hunt through the gardens.

Entry to the gardens is also free. 

Find out what’s on at the gardens

There are plenty of ways to entertain kids at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.