 |
The Lookout |
|
Summit Restaurant |
|
Kuta Café |
|
Kuta Gift Shop |
|
Fountain View Room |
|
Weddings & Functions |
The Best View in Brisbane
Mt Coot-tha is located 7 kilometres west of Brisbane's City Centre and occupies one of the most beautiful vantage points from which to view an Australian capital city and surrounds. Commanding panoramic views over the city of Brisbane and beyond to Moreton Bay and it's islands to the East, and the Glasshouse Mountains and the D'Agilar Range to the West.
It is surrounded by the 220 hectare Mt
Coot-tha reserve which is an oasis of natural bushland and native
wildlife. The Taylor Range of which Mt Coot-tha is a part, forms
a backdrop of hills to the city of Brisbane.
The Mt Coot-tha Lookout Complex is now a multi
function facility.
Adjacent to the lookout is the popular Kuta Café and Gift Shop offering informal dining, light refreshments, ice cream kiosk and a great range of gifts and souvenirs. For those looking for something more substantial the award winning Summit Restaurant is right next door. Special Occasion Functions and weddings are well catered for in the Summit Restaurant or the purpose built Fountain View Function Room, which is also ideal for business meetings and seminars.
History
In 1880, the area was declared a Public
Recreation Reserve and it's name was officially changed to Mt
Coot-tha instead of it's commonly known name of 'One Tree Hill'.
A name derived by virtue of a solitary Eucalypt tree that stood
at this southern most point on an otherwise bare knoll. The name
'Coot-tha' or 'Kuta' was taken from the Aboriginal name for the
area which meant 'honey' or 'the place of wild honey'.
At this time, the only facilities at Mt Coot-tha were a basic shelter shed. In 1918, the Brisbane City Council took over administration of the area and a new kiosk and small kitchen were built. This kiosk was again extended in 1928 to twice its original size and living quarters were added.In 1951, a further extension was added to the kiosk and the observation deck or lookout was constructed.
In 1953, Mr and Mrs Chapman took over the running of the Mt Coot-tha Kiosk and their scones were a big hit with all the visitors to the lookout.
By 1966 there were talks of removing the
site of the Mt Coot-tha Kiosk from the reserve for a new Café
/ Kiosk on a 75 year lease. Tenders needed to be lodged with
the Brisbane City Council by October that year. In late October,
The Courier Mail reported that the Brisbane City Council had
released the then successful tender details for the kiosk. The
redevelopment project called for an international standard restaurant
on the top floor, an alfresco style café, convention and
wedding reception rooms for up to 5000 people, professional offices,
lounge bar, dancing and cabaret type entertainment area, public
kiosk and 4 fountains. Local residents were reassured that they
wouldn't be priced out of the $500,000 tourist centre. A casino
was not mentioned. These developments would have proceeded had
a dispute not arisen over the provision of electricity, water
and increased parking to the site.
In the early 1970's both the Botanic Gardens and Mt Coot-tha planetarium were constructed. In 1983 three partners, Russell Barrett, his sister Jacqueline Barrett and Jim Heron took over as lessees and created the now Mt Coot-tha Summit Restaurant. This business comprised a 100 seat licensed restaurant, bar, small takeaway and souvenir area. It proved to be a successful undertaking and was winner of the 'Best Tourism Restaurant' in the Queensland Tourism Awards of 1987.
In 1994, Russell, Jacqueline and Jim were successful in the re-tender for the Summit Restaurant. They were awarded a 25 year lease and the site was approved for re-development to its present use
Mt Coot-tha is a must see for all visitors to Brisbane as well as a popular destination for many locals. Public transport information can be found at the TransInfo website with buses running every half hour during the day. Other tourist information can be found through our links pages.
Previous Page | Home | Contact