Southern Queensland SUPERYACHT GUIDE

OUT AND ABOUT

… or ‘Go Bush’ and meet some natives

Panoramic pictures Mt Coot-tha (pronounced as ‘Mount Coother’ ) in Brisbane’s west is just 5km from the city. It is Brisbane’s largest conservation reserve with more than 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest popular with hikers, cyclists and picnickers. At the summit, Mt Coot-tha Lookout offers an unsurpassed panoramic view of Brisbane, spanning from Brisbane Airport in the northeast across the city and river in the foreground and out to the Border Ranges in the southwest. While many opt to drive to the lookout, there are several native bush trails through the Mt Coot-tha Forest making the view all the more rewarding. The Summit Track itself is direct to the top and takes only 30 minutes at just under 2km from JC Slaughter Falls on the eastern side of the mountain. The Mahogany Trail also starts at the falls and takes a longer route through stunning eucalyptus forest. There are numerous other trails which when interlinked can provide a full day of amazing walks, taking hikers out towards D’Aguilar National Park.

Cuddly koalas Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in the riverside suburb of Fig Tree Pocket is the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world. The sanctuary homes not only koalas but also kangaroos, dingoes, Tasmanian Devils, wombats, echidnas, lizards – and platypuses! It also has a myriad of native birds including cockatoos and lorikeets. The main attractions are observing the different animals in their own habitats and attending set feeding times during the day. Closely monitored by the sanctuary and for a small fee, visitors actually get to hold a koala and photos can be taken. There is a nocturnal house with several platypuses in residence and daytime visitors can watch them go about their routine and swim through the water ponds through the glass windows. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary offers Platinum Tours for private groups as a full day (9am-3pm) exclusive experience, including meeting many more of the animals and also back- of-house access. Reservations are a must and can be completed online. The sanctuary is located on the Brisbane River and has a pier to receive the Koala and River Cruise vessel. Contact the sanctuary directly to organise access to the pier when reserving the Platinum Tour for guests. Note to check tides. koala.net koala.net/wildlife-experiences/platinum-tour

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Brisbane

Late afternoon view towards the skyscrapers of Brisbane with Mt Coot-tha on the left framed by the peaks of the D’Aguilar Ranges beyond.

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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND SUPERYACHT GUIDE