Scenic Drive Rest Area – Mount Coot-tha

The Scenic Drive Rest Area at Mount Coot-tha is arguably Brisbane’s most iconic lookout, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline, Moreton Bay, and the distant mountain ranges. As a premier tourist destination and beloved local spot, it serves as an exceptional day-use rest area for visitors to take in the sprawling vista. It is crucial to note that this is a landmark and public park, and overnight camping is strictly prohibited. The lookout provides a stunning perspective of the city, transforming from a clear, vibrant panorama by day to a glittering carpet of lights by night. The rest area is well-equipped for visitors, featuring ample parking (including bays for buses and caravans), clean public toilets, a gift shop, and multiple viewing platforms with coin-operated binoculars. For those wanting to linger, the Summit Cafe offers casual dining and ice cream, while The Summit Restaurant provides a more formal fine-dining experience with unparalleled views. The area is the starting point for numerous bushwalking tracks that weave through the Mount Coot-tha Reserve, connecting to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at its base. While not a place for an overnight stay, the Mount Coot-tha Lookout is an essential stop for any traveller, providing a perfect orientation to Brisbane and a memorable photo opportunity.

Site Information

• Location: At the summit of Mount Coot-tha, overlooking Brisbane.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicles for day use..
• Road Access: Sealed, winding mountain road.
• Site Surface: Bitumen.
• Camping Permitted: No
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Not permitted.
• Facilities: viewing platforms.
• Picnic Tables: No
• Potable Water: No
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent.
• Onsite Public Toilets: No
• Rubbish Bins: No
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Prohibited.
• Essentials to Bring: Camera.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash in the park areas, but not inside buildings.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Yes, numerous summit and bushwalking tracks start from here.

Local Amenities

Full dining facilities are onsite. All other major city services are at the base of the mountain in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

• Local Pubs:
  • The Summit Restaurant & Cafe (onsite, licensed)
  • The Bardon Shed (approx. 5 km)
  • Regatta Hotel, Toowong (approx. 7 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Onsite cafe and restaurant. Numerous options in nearby suburbs like Paddington, Bardon, and Toowong.
• Local Attractions:
  • Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha (at the base of the mountain)
  • Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (short drive)
  • All Brisbane CBD attractions.
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Brisbane Holiday Village (approx. 20 km)
  • Newmarket Gardens Caravan Park (approx. 10 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • No official free camps in close proximity to the Brisbane CBD.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Nearest public dump point is at the Brisbane Holiday Village (check for public access/fees).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple options in the surrounding suburbs of Toowong and Bardon.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Brisbane has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, wet summers and mild, dry, sunny winters.