Discover visually striking dry region plants from Africa and Central America, such as the stem-succulent Euphorbia and the juicy-leaved Aloe.
Events and attractions
Find things to see and do at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. Take in the plant zones and trails and see what’s on.
Discover the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha were officially opened in 1976.
After 8 major floods swept through the City Botanic Gardens between 1870 and 1974, Council chose Mt Coot-tha as the site for the new botanic gardens.
Today, the botanic gardens are home to a thriving world of plants.
Visit the gardens to see flourishing habitats, including rainforests, woodlands and wetlands. Experience the tranquillity of the Japanese Garden and step inside the iconic Tropical Display Dome.
With a range of attractions and easy-to-follow trails, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is a must-visit for plant enthusiasts, families and Brisbane visitors.
Enjoy plant life and garden attractions
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha is home to more than 200,000 plants and 7,000 species from Australia and across the globe.
See native and exotic plants in their natural habitats. Along the way, visit inspiring structures and spy artworks and native wildlife.
See one of the largest publicly owned bonsai displays in Australia. It includes trained native and exotic plants such as figs, conifers, camellias, azaleas and subtropical deciduous species.
The Bonsai House is open 9am–4pm daily.
Take in more than 80 different species and varieties of ferns, from ferns that live on rocks and trees to those that survive in water.
The Fern House is open 9am–4pm daily.
Pay your respects to servicemen and women, and those who worked on the land, in protected industries and organisations such as the Red Cross. The memorial offers a place to contemplate and reflect on the spirit of freedom.
Designed by leading landscape artist Kenzo Ogata, the Japanese Garden features elements of stone, water, ornaments, arbours, paths and vegetation. See evergreen gardens, native and exotic plants and tranquil bodies of water.
Marvel at different types of bamboo, including Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa textilis and Dendrocalamus giganteus.
Spot a variety of wildlife in the nearby lagoon, including turtles, egrets, cormorants, dusky moorhens, eels, lizards and eastern water dragons.
Encounter tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs and vines on the Australian Rainforest Trail, Australian Plants Trail and the Exotic Rainforest on the Gardens Explorer Trail.
Immerse yourself in a multisensory learning experience. Smell the blooms in season, feel the leaves of assorted mints and lavenders, and see culinary and medicinal herbs.
Admire modern sculptures crafted by local artists. After a time, these sculptures are displayed in the gardens as part of Council’s public art collection.
Discover plants from the tropical regions of the world, including aroids, calatheas, heliconias, caladiums, palms and epiphytes.
See a variety of tropical food crop plants in the temperature-controlled section of the dome, including Indian arrowroot, African nutmeg and cocoa.
The Tropical Display Dome is open 9am-4pm daily.
Trails in the botanic gardens
Explore the botanic gardens at your own pace by following the curated trails. Each themed trail leads you through different plant collections and attractions.
You can find information on the trails, as well as a map that shows starting and finishing points, in the visitor wayfinding guide.
Facilities and other features
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha have everything you need for a day out, including an onsite cafe, picnic areas and information centre.
Guided walks, bookable event spaces and nature-based learning opportunities for schools are also available.
To make the most of your time at the botanic gardens, plan your visit.
Activities for kids
There are plenty of ways to entertain the kids at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
Follow the trail for an adventure full of surprises, learning and fun. Pick up a trail map at the Visitor Information Centre or download a copy.
Play on the nature-themed playground, located next to the picturesque lagoon.
The playground features slides, swings, shaded play areas, climbing structures and stepping logs. You'll also find statues of iconic Australian animals, including the echidna and kangaroo.
There's accessible toilets, seating, picnic tables and plenty of grassy areas nearby.
You can view the playground's location using the wayfinding guide.
Have fun in nature with our School Holiday Activities Program.
Meet creepy critters, make a seedling pot, or discover the plants and animals living in our gardens.
Learn about space exploration at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Visit the Cosmic Skydome for immersive events and shows or head to the Display Zone for interactive displays on astronomy and space.
Create, learn and experiment in the outdoor kitchen or sign up for an art workshop.
Dive into the worlds of botany, horticulture, gardening and astronomy at the Mt Coot-tha Library.
Explore events and workshops
Find out what’s on at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
More parks and gardens in Brisbane
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are free and low-cost events at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha.
You can:
- explore the gardens on a guided tour
- get crafty and creative in an arts and crafts session
- get your heart pumping in an outdoor fitness class
- seek hidden treasure on a botanic hunt through the gardens.
Entry to the gardens is also free.
Find out what’s on at the gardens.