Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Plan your visit to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Learn how to get there and book a space or guided walk.
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Spanning 56 hectares, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha are Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens. They’re one of the main attractions in the Mt Coot-tha precinct.
With free entry and a variety of facilities, wildlife and plant species, there’s always something to see and do at the gardens.
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
152 Mount Coot-tha Road, Mt Coot-tha Qld 4066Open 7 days a week:
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8am–6pm in summer (September to March)
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8am–5pm in winter (April to August).
Opening hours differ for the facilities and services in the gardens.
Travel options
Access the main entrance from Mt Coot-tha Road.
Free parking is available in the car park at the main entry. You can also park at:
- Ada Street car park, across the road from the main entry
- Anzac Park surrounds in Toowong. Use the Canon Garland Overpass to reach the gardens.
Wheelchair accessible parking is available. For detailed access information, download the mobility map.
Access the main entry at 152 Mt Coot-tha Road.
If you're entering from Mt Coot-tha Forest, you can also use the Citriodora Trail gate. The gate is open 8am to 4pm daily, all year round.
- Take the Toowong Bikeway flyover via the Western Freeway Bikeway.
- Ride from the city via the Bicentennial Bikeway.
Plan your ride using our bike paths map.
Note: Riding in the gardens is allowed on the Ring Road and Botanic Way only.
You can park your bike at a rack:
- in the Visitor Information Centre car park
- at the Queensland Conservation collection entry on the ring road, opposite the Japanese Gardens.
The nearest train station is Toowong Station, which is a 40-minute walk from the gardens.
The closest bus stops are:
- Stop 19, at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
- Stop 17, on Mt Coot-tha Road.
Plan your trip with Translink’s Journey Planner.
There’s bus parking next to the main driveway and on Mt Coot-tha Road. School buses can use the bus drop-off zone at the back of the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Visitor wayfinding guide and mobility map
Use the wayfinding guide to follow the garden’s key trails. It includes:
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information on access and facilities
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trails through the plant collections
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other attractions to explore.
Download the guide or pick up a copy at the Visitor Information Centre.
The mobility map helps you navigate the gardens if you have a physical or mobility impairment.
It includes information on pathway gradients and the location of accessible toilets, buildings and telephones.
Mt Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre
Located at the main entry, the Visitor Information Centre helps you make the most of the attractions, trails and picnic areas.
The centre is open 9am–4pm daily, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Ask about free guided walks, pick up a track map and chat to the friendly staff about what’s on at the gardens.
Explore the gardens and learn about the plants and features on a free guided walk.
Walks leave daily from the Visitor Information Centre at 11am and 1pm, except on Sundays (11am only) and public holidays. They’re taken at a gentle pace and last about one hour.
Large groups (10 or more people), or groups with a special interest, can make a booking for a customised tour. You must book 6 weeks in advance.
To book:
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888
- download and complete the request form and submit it by email.
Enjoy your meal at a picnic table, on the lawns or the shaded seating area.
There are drinking fountains and toilets throughout the gardens.
Didn't pack any food? Visit the Botanic Gardens Café for a meal with a relaxing view of the lagoon and bamboo grove.
The café is open from 8.15am to 4pm, 7 days a week.
Attend a workshop, lesson or activity at the Kitchen in the Garden.
These sessions offer opportunities to:
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learn how to garden sustainably
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create a wicking garden or solar cooker
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experiment with food fermentation
- cook a simple, nutritious meal from seasonal produce.
Sign up for an art workshop to:
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photograph flowers or wildlife
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paint with watercolours and acrylics
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make ‘living’ paper
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grow a succulent photo frame
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create a sculpture from organic materials.
You don’t need any experience to take part in the workshops.
Make learning interesting, engaging and fun with a range of curriculum-based activities.
Lessons in the gardens
See science theory in action, explore geographical concepts and interact with trained and knowledgeable educators.
Aligned with the National Curriculum, the hands-on outdoor lessons are suitable for early childhood, primary and senior school groups.
Lessons are offered Tuesday to Friday at 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm. Primary school lessons are 1.5 hours long and secondary school lessons are 2 hours.
Different lesson times can be requested with booking enquiries.
Before you enquire
Download and read the brochure to choose your lesson.
You can also estimate the fees:
- $8.80 per student for classes of 20-30 (maximum of 30 students)
- a $176.90 minimum charge for a class of 19 students or less
- no fee for teachers and parents.
These prices include GST.
You’ll only be charged for the numbers that attend on the day.
Make a booking enquiry
Complete the online form to make a booking enquiry.
You can also use the form for lesson enquiries in the City Botanic Gardens and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
School visits
Your school can also visit the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha in a self-guided capacity (without booking a lesson or guided walk).
To plan your visit, contact our Education Coordinator via email.
Have fun in nature with our School Holiday Activities Program.
Meet creepy critters, make a seedling pot, or discover the plants and animals living in our gardens.
Book a site
Choose from 3 picturesque outdoor sites. These sites are available for hire from $199.60 per hour, with a 2-hour booking minimum.
This space features rainforest with a small flowing creek. It's ideal for small wedding parties. The lawn has synthetic grass.
| Capacity | 20 people (50 standing) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Vehicle access | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
This site features a large, shady fig tree, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs.
| Capacity | 100-120 people |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Vehicle access | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
Mature trees and lush foliage plants (including bamboo) surround this space. It's ideal for larger wedding parties.
| Capacity | 100-120 people |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Vehicle access | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
Before you book a site at the gardens, read the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha park booking sites guidelines.
To book a site, you’ll need to specify:
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what type of event you’re planning
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how many people you expect to attend.
You’ll also need to check the booking conditions and fees that apply to your chosen site.
When you're ready, complete the Park Booking Application online form.
You can also book the Auditorium for an art and craft show or horticultural exhibition.
Hire fees for the Auditorium:
- $254.95 for a full day (8am–5pm)
- $178.40 for a half day (8am–12 noon or 1–5pm)
- $178.40 for an evening (6–10pm)
- $204.75 (each day) for multiple days (8am–5pm).
Before you book the Auditorium, read the hire terms and conditions.
You can make a booking enquiry for the Auditorium by email.
Helpful links
You can drive on the Ring Road of the botanic gardens. Gates to the Ring Road and Botanic Way are closed to vehicles on weekends, public holidays and from 4pm on weekdays.
Visiting the gardens? Find out where to park.
To protect the wildlife and plant life, only service and assistance dogs are allowed in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
You can walk your dog on a leash along designated trails in the Mt Coot-tha Reserve, but not in the botanic gardens.
You can’t ride an e-scooter in the botanic gardens. Personal mobility devices, including scooters, skateboards and other rideables are not permitted.
Find other places in Brisbane where you can ride your scooter.
To access the Spotted Gum Trail from the botanic gardens, use the gate at the Australian Plant Communities garden. It’s the gate marked ‘C’ on the Mt Coot-tha Forest track map. The gate is open between 8am to 4pm daily.
Download the Mt Coot-tha Forest Track Map.
Yes, you can volunteer at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
Volunteering opportunities include:
- guides for free guided walks
- welcomers at the Visitor Information Centre.
You don’t need a formal qualification in horticulture or botany, but it’s important to have good social and communication skills.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the gardens:
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888
- email Council.
You can only ride your bike along the Ring Road and Botanic Way in the botanic gardens. When you visit the gardens, you can park your bike at the bike racks.
Find other places to go riding in Brisbane.
Entry to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is free.
There may be costs for activities in the gardens.