The Brisbane City Council has unveiled a comprehensive master plan focused on the transformation of Mt Coot-tha into a nature-based tourism and recreation hub, with a significant long-term project aimed at enhancing outdoor experiences and sustainable infrastructure in the region.
A key feature of the proposal is the Brisbane Wilderness Walking Trail, a 170-kilometre track that would connect Mt Coot-tha to Mt Archer.
The trail will include new features such as bush huts, way-finding signage, composting toilets, camping sites, and refurbished picnic areas. The design draws inspiration from Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain and New Zealand’s West Coast Wilderness Trail.
The master plan also incorporates various enhancements designed to increase accessibility and visitor engagement. These include a night-time light show at the Botanic Gardens, a treetop walk that is accessible to all visitors, and upgrades to the summit lookout.
The initiative also includes the development of sustainable nature retreats and glamping sites, offering opportunities for commercial investment in low-impact accommodation that complements the natural setting.
For outdoor recreation, the plan proposes a mountain biking skill-development track and improvements to pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, including the potential redesign of Sir Samuel Griffith Drive into a one-way loop road with a dedicated bike lane.
Environmental restoration is also a central component, with tree planting and habitat improvements included to support wildlife and increase shade.
Pop-up cafes are among the temporary activations being considered to support tourism and visitor services.
The initiative reflects a long-term strategy to preserve and reinterpret Mt Coot-tha’s native areas while modernizing existing attractions, such as the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and the 50-year-old Tropical Dome.
The Mt Coot-tha Quarry, which currently supplies 96 percent of Brisbane’s asphalt and has been operational since the 1890s, is also earmarked for transformation once operations wind down in the coming decade.
In the near term, new picnic shelters at the Brush Box Picnic Area are expected to be completed as early as this year, supported by funding allocated in the current city council budget.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner emphasized the importance of enhancing the city’s natural assets ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Brisbane is riding a wave of international popularity as a tourism destination and with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games coming, now is the time to start planning more to see and do in our city,” he said.
The initiative is backed by 670 surveyed residents and will be managed by the Brisbane Sustainability Agency, which is also leading the redevelopment of Oxley Creek into a green leisure destination.
Nigel Chamier, Chair of the Brisbane Sustainability Agency, expressed pride in the project. “This initiative will go beyond rehabilitation as it is about establishing a lasting legacy that enhances the Mt Coot-tha experience for residents and visitors,” he told InDaily.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the master plan offers potential opportunities to engage with Brisbane’s growing eco-tourism market through future partnerships or tenders in areas such as glamping accommodations, guided hiking experiences, and food and beverage services in temporary or semi-permanent installations.