Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
An oasis for wildlife, the Gardens feature 52 hectares of plants from Australia and all around the world. Horticultural and art and craft shows are displayed in the Auditorium most weekends and free volunteer guided walks leave the Information Centre, Monday to Saturday (except public holidays) at 11 am and 1 pm. Alternatively you may like to explore the Gardens via one, or all, of the three self-guided trails available.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travellers are saying
- max736Brisbane, Australia79 contributionsPretty gardens but...surrounded by a noisy highway!The Brisbane Botanical Garden by Mt Cootha has lots of beautiful gardens which you could spend a few hours exploring. My issue with the place is that it's located next to a busy highway so you can hear the sound of traffic throughout the garden. It takes away from the serenity of the place. I would suggest going to a Mt. Cootha hiking trail instead. Unless you really don't mind the sound of traffic as you walk through a Japanese garden...Visited February 2024Written 18 February 2024
- DamonLondon, United Kingdom52 contributionsA great destination for an outdoor picnicWell cared for and wide selection of plants and trees located near the look out point for Brisbane city. There was free parking and a cafe for convenience. Also, as a bonus, Brisbane’s Planetarium is located next to the parking area.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 9 March 2024
- puckstopper31Edmonton, Canada797 contributionsPleasant relaxing strollWonderful large park to stroll. Beautiful flowers and species of trees that we’d never seen. Fantastic little cafe in amongst the park where you can find a treat or beverage and rest your feet.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 May 2024
- Bill SSt Helens, United Kingdom81 contributionsFantasticThis has to be one of the best Botanic Gardens we have ever visited, the gardens are beautiful and it is easy to follow the guide to all the different areas. There is also a lovely restaurant in the gardens where you can have either a meal or just refreshments. Well worth a visit, you will not regret it.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 23 May 2024
- RubenPalm Springs, California17 contributionsBeautiful GardensI have been to botanical gardens all over the world, but this was quite extensive! From it’s beautiful rainforest to its large variety of desert plants was impressive. We were immediately greeted by one of the staff upon our entrance asking us what we liked about gardens and made her great recommendations. We also liked the food that was reasonably priced at the garden cafe. We also hiked up to the summit with breathtaking views of the city.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 July 2024
- Jeff W1 contributionBeautiful Garden and Great Staff!The gardens are very beautiful and a pleasant walk. The staff here are really nice and very helpful! We had a very informative guided tour and overall enjoyed our afternoon here. There is a bus service directly to the facility, which makes the visit easy.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 August 2024
- Alex HZhubei, Hsinchu County543 contributionsNot very characteristic botanical gardenRecently, every city visits the botanical gardens. Last year, they visited Chicago and early this year, Sapporo. The first Attraction to Brisbane this time is here. It feels like the plant is almost the same as Taiwanese, not very special, and not too many in the variety. So after a long visit, I decided to go to another Attraction.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 September 2024
- Kirsty MBourne, United Kingdom318 contributionsWell worth the entrance, especially if you love space and plants!I walked up Mount Coot and then down into the gardens. The maps weren't clear on where to go, so I was going around in circles. I had to open the map online to go further into the gardens. After that zone it was clearly mapped and easily followed. The gardens were very well maintained, an extraordinary collection of plants on differents levels of grounds. Well worth the visit, especially as its free to enter.Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 24 October 2024
- Samantha FBallarat, Australia1,240 contributionsFree entryYou can get the #471 Bus here which stops at Mount Coot-Tha Lookout along the way. Very busy here on a Sunday afternoon. Free entry, was beautiful and maintained. There was a wedding at the time which the wedding party took over the Japanese Gardens. I will return to visit more of the gardens.Visited October 2024Travelled soloWritten 26 October 2024
- Pablo SBrisbane, Australia2 contributionsGreat Park!I've been there for the third time yesterday. Every time I come I find a beautiful new feature that I hadn't noticed before. This time it was the Tropical Dome. I don't want to spoil it, I'll just tell you: don't miss it! Quite a sensorial experience! Also don't miss the Japanese gardens and Bonsai display. Fantastic! I recommend going as soon as it opens when it's not very crowded. 😄Visited January 2025Travelled with familyWritten 3 January 2025
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4.5
2,406 reviews
Excellent
1,445
Very good
807
Average
140
Poor
8
Terrible
6
Brian C
Cheltenham, UK152 contributions
Jan 2023
My wife and I visited the Botanic Gardens on a hot, humid and sunny day toward the end of January. We so enjoyed our visit. We received a lovely, helpful welcome from the information centre on arrival, and enjoyed the offerings at the cafe before exploring the gardens. We simply wandered around the inspiring different areas and environments, viewed wildlife (especially a spoonbill and colourful dragonflies), exotic plants and flowers, quiet areas where families were enjoying picnics. It was just a lovely place to be with something for everyone.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellerFaye
Lennox Head, Australia1,822 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Mt Cootha botanical gardens and always head for the Japanese Garden, Tropical Dome and Fern House which is all I could do this visit. The other garden sections are interesting and well worth a visit too, especially the native plant section. Even in mid October, when little was flowering in the Japanese Garden, the shapes, textures and water keeps it interesting.
Written 15 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caterpie
Melbourne, Australia228 contributions
Apr 2022
Beautiful garden and excellent customer service. We spent an excellent and enjoable day wandering around this garden. There are various sections, each focussing on a specific theme, e.g. tropical, australian bush etc.
Customer service reps have been wonderful, knowledgeable and patient in explaining the various sights and what to do.
The onsite restaurant is very slow in serving on the day we visited. All in all, an enjoyable and fun outing.
Tip: Best to visit early as parking in the garden is limited
Customer service reps have been wonderful, knowledgeable and patient in explaining the various sights and what to do.
The onsite restaurant is very slow in serving on the day we visited. All in all, an enjoyable and fun outing.
Tip: Best to visit early as parking in the garden is limited
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia9,016 contributions
Oct 2021
In hindsight, we should have visited on a cooler day, more hours to enjoy all that the park has to offer and yet we managed to view a wide selection of flora thanks to our excellent guide who knew all the short-cuts and shaded areas. We were surprised to learn that the gardens only officially opened in 1976 and yet are now recognised as Australia's premier subtropical botanical gardens. There is simply so much to see and enjoy that more than a visit is warranted. We did managed to enjoy the plants of the Tropical Dome, Fern House, Cactus House, Japanese Gardens, Kitchen Garden, Rainforest, Lagoons and Bamboo Grove and other sections. Great walking trails throughout to suit virtually all abilities but we did get a taxi to the lookout. Wonderful volunteer guide accompanied us and regaled us with her sublime knowledge of the various plants.
Written 8 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STEPHEN N
Brisbane, Australia23,135 contributions
July 2020
Arrived by complementary bus to Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt.Coot-tha on Saturday 11/07/20. Free admission to walk around exploring some very interesting plants, beautifully well maintained gardens & many walking trails to explore. Unfortunately living in Cairns I don't have much luck with plants.
This beautiful garden would be paradise for those who have GREEN FINGERS.
Could easily spend an entire day viewing the entire area & there's a cafe for light snacks or dining.
Regular bus service back to Brisbane CBD.
This beautiful garden would be paradise for those who have GREEN FINGERS.
Could easily spend an entire day viewing the entire area & there's a cafe for light snacks or dining.
Regular bus service back to Brisbane CBD.
Written 29 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chenille12961
Brisbane, Australia31 contributions
June 2020 • Friends
Beware, badly signed once in and walking.
Beautiful gardens although why no dogs even on leash allowed is weird considering the city gardens allows them. Someone on the council has a huge dog phobia I would think..... the tracks would be way more enjoyable if they were signed properly. The information maps are useless, nice colours on them but perhaps “ you are here” would be helpful. If you have a huge amount of time by all means visit this garden, take water and a packed lunch as it may take you awhile to find your way back to the car!
Beautiful gardens although why no dogs even on leash allowed is weird considering the city gardens allows them. Someone on the council has a huge dog phobia I would think..... the tracks would be way more enjoyable if they were signed properly. The information maps are useless, nice colours on them but perhaps “ you are here” would be helpful. If you have a huge amount of time by all means visit this garden, take water and a packed lunch as it may take you awhile to find your way back to the car!
Written 13 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wombatdavid
Hobart, Australia2,816 contributions
June 2021
We took bus 471 from the city up to the lookout and then walked down a track to the gardens. They are lovely and we enjoyed the Japanese garden and the bonsai. We caught the bus back into the city from near the information centre.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
peter r
Brisbane, Australia101 contributions
Oct 2020
Every day with spring upon us, new Gardens appear to be almost growing out of the grown, The revisited sculpture from 1982, has added an important piece of Commonwealth games legacy into the garden setting.
Now called Subtropical treasures.
Also raw for a Sculpture once unveiled by the Queen, QE2, to get a second lease of life
Now called Subtropical treasures.
Also raw for a Sculpture once unveiled by the Queen, QE2, to get a second lease of life
Written 20 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie L
Brisbane, Australia5 contributions
Feb 2021
The Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens have the best displays of plant material in the wider world and it is FREE! The Japanese Garden is a must to visit, and I enjoy going to the Australian Plant Community and seeing what delights can be grown in Brisbane. You can also be involved with the Kitchen Garden (as a member of the Friends of the Gardens) and learn a heap about fruit and veggie growing - even if you have experience. It is my favourite Go To place in Brisbane!
Written 16 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eliza272
Washington DC, DC102 contributions
Jan 2020
One of my favorite places to experience the opulence of lush tropical growth and plants is at the Mt-Coot-ha Botanical Gardens. as an artist and photographer, every shade of green and the extraordinary shapes of plants can be found here. The stag horn ferns with their leathery leaves, brightly colored red and orange flowers grace the hot houses. Aloes and succulents with their thorny ridges can be found in the dry climate section and the beautiful Japanese garden and waterfall are restful to the eye and soul. The pathways are well constructed and it would not be too difficult to manage in a motorized wheelchair.
Written 23 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are birds in a bird carrier allowed?
Written 19 August 2022
djahnes50
Brisbane, Australia
Is there a list of plants/trees grown in the gardens? As a gardener i always like to see a tree fully grown before planting.
Thanks
Regards Dora
Written 6 June 2018
Hi Dora, I noticed that the trees/shrubs etc were named but I didn't see any lists. Contact them direct, I'm sure they will be able to help you. Worth the visit.
Written 7 June 2018
I spoke with the Gabriel from Brisbane City Council and he advised that dogs can go into Brisbane City Botanical Gardens if on a leash, however, it is not encouraged due to the flora and fauna in park. Dogs are not allowed at Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens...Hope this helps... it is a beautiful place to see.... Thanks, Helena
Written 4 January 2017
Is there onsite parking?
Where is best to park and prices if any?
Written 12 October 2016
Yes there is parking but it does get very busy.
Written 3 March 2017
how time would you need to have a look around the gardens and is there an entry fee to the gardens.?
Written 29 October 2015
I agree with the above answers, duration just depends on your plans. Entry is free. There is a city bike station (bay of yellow bikes) where you can hire to ride around the gardens. They require prior online registration but first 30 minutes is always free if you return your bike to the citybike station within 30 mins. You can do this as many times as you want too. They are a good way to see the gardens and South Bank parklands (just across the Goodwill footbridge). Just Google Brisbane CityBikes for more info.
Written 29 October 2015
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