Mount Coot-tha is set to undergo a major transformation, with Brisbane City Council appointing Brisbane Sustainability Agency to deliver a new long-term master plan focused on sustainable tourism, nature-based experiences and post-quarry rehabilitation.
The landmark initiative, timed to align with the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, would explore a wide range of new attractions including a 170-kilometre wilderness trail, eco-accommodation, a reimagined Tropical Dome and an immersive night-time light experience in the Botanic Gardens.
Drawing inspiration from celebrated green tourism destinations such as Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and Butchart Gardens in Canada, the Mount Coot-tha master plan would seek to elevate the precinct to a globally recognisable attraction, while retaining its ecological and cultural significance.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city was enjoying increasing global exposure and Mount Coot-tha had the potential to play a much greater role in Brisbane’s tourism mix.
“One of the real jewels in the crown is Mount Coot-tha, but it can be even better by 2032 and beyond,” he said.
“We want the world to discover Brisbane and fall in love with its lifestyle and natural attractions. I believe Mount Coot-tha presents an incredible opportunity for nature-based destinations and attractions, which is exactly what international visitors are looking for.”
The plan is being led by Brisbane Sustainability Agency, chaired by former Gold Coast Commonwealth Games boss Nigel Chamier AM, who described the project as “a blank canvas”.
“Mount Coot-tha is an area of enormous potential,” Chamier said. “There’s a real untapped wonderland out there and it would be absolutely marvellous if we could make it more accessible.”
“Brisbane has South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves and a few others but visitors fairly quickly head down to the Gold Coast or up to the Sunshine Coast. If we give people more reasons to stay it would be great for the economy.”
Opportunities BSA will explore include:
- A long-term master plan for transforming the Mount Coot-tha Quarry
- Improvement to the Mt Coot-tha Summit lookout
- Introducing a new night-time light show in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
- Reimagining and revitalising the Planetarium and Tropical Dome
- Tree planting and revegetation across the precinct to support wildlife and provide shade
- Establish a Brisbane Wilderness Trail to connect Mt Coot-tha to Mount Archer.
- Sustainable nature retreat, including eco-tourism glamping
- Reconfiguring Sir Samuel Griffith Drive to a one-way loop road, reserving a lane for cyclists
- New and improved picnic areas, including pop-up cafes
- Mountain bike skills development track
- Accessible tree-top walk at The Summit
According to Suburban Futures director Ross Elliott, the trail network proposal linking Mount Coot-tha to Mount Archer near Woodford could keep more visitors in the region for longer.
“The environment is stunning and I can’t think of another city of three million people with an asset like this so close to the city,” he said. “It’s a real untapped resource.”
The Mount Coot-tha Quarry, still operational and supplying more than 90 per cent of asphalt aggregate for Brisbane’s roads is also central to the long-term planning. A recent study found the quarry could continue operations for up to a decade due to growing use of recycled materials, prompting council to begin early scoping for its eventual transformation.
The future rehabilitation of the Mount Coot-tha Quarry is also a key element of the master plan. While Council has confirmed the site may remain operational for up to another decade, early thinking around its transformation is already emerging.
One concept previously published on Brisbane Development explores a bold vision by PRAX Studio, which proposes turning the quarry into a public landmark complete with a cantilevered lookout, ecological restoration zones and a civic plaza nestled into the escarpment. While not endorsed as part of the official planning process, the concept highlights the scale of ambition possible for this unique site and the opportunity for architecture to play a central role in reimagining its future.
A community consultation process involving more than 670 residents found strong support for enhancing the natural environment, introducing new tourism attractions, and expanding outdoor recreation infrastructure. Council has committed funding in the 2025–26 budget for early works, including new picnic shelters at Brush Box Picnic Area and detailed design of the Tropical Dome upgrade.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency is a council-owned organisation and has previously overseen long-range urban renewal initiatives including the Oxley Creek Transformation, and its involvement in this project is expected to focus on integrating environmental planning with public realm outcomes. The agency is chaired by Nigel Chamier AM, who also led preparations for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Mount Coot-tha currently welcomes more than one million visitors annually.
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>who described the project as “a blank canvas”.
So terra nullius again in 2025?
>Tree planting and revegetation across the precinct to support wildlife…
…new night-time light show in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
How on earth does a nighttime light show support the 70% of Australian mammals that are nocturnal?
And I assume this will be privately owned and taxpayers will have to pay to enter.
Staggering.
What happened to the previous idea that was proposed?