Kids love a trip to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and planetarium.
Snapshot
Green thumbs should visit the Greening Australia Nursery at Paten Park, The Gap for tree planting, bush regeneration and environmental education.
Corra-mulling Park at The Gap is believed to be named for an Indigenous phrase meaning 'flat rock' (a feature that you can see across the creek).
Ithaca Creek was named after the Greek birthplace of Lady Bowen, wife of Queensland's first governor.
The Slab Hut Farm at 847 Mt Nebo Road, The Gap, is a heritage-listed farmhouse, established as a dairy farm in the 1890s.
Mt Coot-tha was once called One Tree Hill because the timber at the top was cleared, leaving a lone, large eucalypt. Coot-tha is an Indigenous word for honey.
Family fun
For kids:
Parks for kids are great! Check out your local playground because parks in Brisbane have anything from skatebowls to toddler play. In your area try:
- Wittonga Park, The Gap for family fun with a huge playground, park area for functions and BBQs.
- Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap
- The Woods Memorial Playground, Ashgrove
For dogs:
Check out the local off-leash areas where Fido can release canine tension. For details and locations, see our list of Brisbane's best dog parks or try these ones in your local area:
- Dorrington Park, Ashgrove
- Sunset Vista Park, Ashgrove
- Paten Road, The Gap
- Wittonga Park, The Gap
Mt Coot-tha Lookout:
Even if you only have an hour or so to spare, take the drive up to the top of Mt Coot-tha to get a view of the whole of Brisbane city. You’ll see the curves of the river, the lines of the freeway and the skyline of the CBD. Plus, on a clear day, you can see south-west to the distant ranges, east towards Moreton Bay and miles in every other direction. Enjoy the facilities of a cafe, restaurant and lookout at the top.
Picnics & Nature:
Visit Brisbane Forest Park on Mt Nebo Road with 30,000 hectares of bushland. The Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre has more than 30 kms of walking and cycling tracks plus horse riding and a ropes adventure course. Take a picnic or have a BBQ and enjoy the natural environment, right on your doorstep.
Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens:
The Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha is a 15 minute drive west of town. Attractions include themed gardens, a tropical display dome, Japanese gardens, planetarium, library, picnic areas, Lakeside Gardens Café, Freedom Wall and Hide 'n' Seek Children's Trail.
History
Discover the secrets of your local area. Wander through St Johns Wood at Ashgrove and admire the beautiful houses. Take the walkway from Ashgrove Sports Ground and follow this along Enoggera Creek. Look out for Granite House, Judge Harding's stately mansion, famous during the 1870s and 1880s for hosting a party for Queen Victoria's sons.
Food & Drink
Catch up with friends for coffee at Waterworks Road at The Gap or Ashgrove or MacGregor Terrace, Bardon. You'll find some quaint little places with great views of the city. Spend some leisurely time discovering these interesting pockets of cafes and boutique retail stores.
Exercise
Active & Healthy Parks:
For fitness and fun, try your nearest Active and Healthy Park including Alfred and Lucinda Best Park at The Gap or Bowman Park in Bardon.
Bike Routes:
A great bike ride is along Enoggera Creek from Walton Bridge Reserve.
Walking Group:
Why not join your local 'gonewalking' group for fitness or leisure walks with trained walk leaders? For details about walks in your area, phone Council on (07) 3403 8888.
Libraries
Release your mind at the Ashgrove or nearby Mt Coot-tha Libraries, where you'll find not only books but also CDs, DVDs, videos and free internet access (phone the library for details).
- Ashgrove Library: (07) 3407 1940
- Mt Coot-tha Library: (07) 3403 2550
- Brisbane Forest Park headquarters: (07) 3300 4855
- Call Council 24 hours 7 days: (07) 3403 8888
Can you recommend a local service or business? Or perhaps a place visitors and residents love? Leave a comment.
