would be only used by education ecotours with guides. The birding community has serious concerns about the impact of construction and exploitation on the Powerful Owls. They have been here for over 30 years and successfully bred several times. The close proximity of a zipline to the nest is of particular concern. At the time of printing, the Council decision was not yet made.
Slaughter Falls
For birding in the area, follow the Summit Tk to the top of the ridge where it intersects with Sir Samuel Griffith Dr. Come back along Aboriginal Art Tk.
Slaughter Falls is the best spot for Powerful Owls in the whole Brisbane area. They often roost in trees near the carpark and can be sometimes seen on Aboriginal Art Tk.
Over 130 bird species have been found at this site. Key species are Powerful Owl, Greater Sooty Owl and White-throated Nightjar. Other birds of interest include Tawny Frogmouth, Varied Sittella, Rose Robin, White-eared Monarch, Eastern Spinebill, Tree Martin, Little Lorikeet, Southern Boobook, Common Cicadabird and Grey Goshawk. Among the rarities are Oriental Cuckoo, Noisy Pitta, Dusky Honeyeater, Masked Owl and Square-tailed Kite.
White-throated Nightjars can be found hawking insects around the carpark. Look for them also near a small dam on Hovea Tk before its intersection with Aboriginal Art Tk.
Grey Goshawks are often found near the falls. For White-eared Monarch, inspect the trees near East Ithaca Creek. Four lorikeet species may be visible during the walk, with Little and Scaly-breasted Lorikeet often in higher numbers than Rainbow Lorikeet. Other bush birds here include Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Eastern Whipbird, Spangled Drongo, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Little Shrike-thrush, Varied Triller, Large-billed Scrubwren and Spectacled Monarch.
Grey Goshawk
Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout
This site is located immediately east of Honeyeater Tk. There is a carpark and café here. Look here for a pair of Squair-tailed Kites. Their large nest is located nearby in a large gum tree. You may be sipping coffee in a café and observing them circling over an old quarry. Occasionally, they may be joined by Peregrine Falcon. We also once observed here a pair of Brown Goshawks doing aerial displays.
Other birds in the area include Southern Boobook (nesting near the café), Large-billed Scrubwren, Olive-backed Oriole, Leaden Flycatcher and plenty of cheeky Blue-faced Honeyeaters that will try to steal jam from your scones.
Honeyeater Track
This 2km-long, easy track begins 400m from the lookout. It provides access to Chapel Hill and the Hut Environmental Centre. Striated Pardalotes and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are everywhere along this track. You may also find White-throated Nightjar, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Rufous Fantail, Varied Sittella, Sacred Kingfisher and Little Lorikeet.
Simpson Falls
This site offers a nice picnic area and a 650m walk to the falls. Fantastic wildflower displays occur in winter and spring along the track. This is another roosting site of the Mount Coot-tha Forest’s pair of Powerful Owls.
When heath is flowering, there is plenty of honeyeaters including Scarlet Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater and Little Friarbird. Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler and Common Cicadabird are often found in the area.
Other birds at Simpson Falls include Tawny Frogmouth, Little Shrike-thrush, Crested Shrike-tit, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Emerald Dove, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet and Bell Miner.
Hoop Pine Picnic Area
Hoop Pine is located at 114 Sir Samuel Griffith Dr. Powerful Owl Tk starts here. This is another good spot to look for Powerful Owls; they usually roost near the carpark. While spotlighting, you may also encounter Tawny Frogmouth, Bush Stone-curlew, Southern Boobook, White-throated Nightjar and Australian Owlet-nightjar.
During the day look for Wonga Pigeon, Eastern Whipbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pale-headed Rosella, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet and Pheasant Coucal.
Eugenia Circuit
This 3km-long loop runs through eucalypt woodland across the Ithaca Creek and links with the track to the Simpson Falls viewing platform.
This is one of the best places in the Mount Coot-tha Forest for Painted Button-quail. They often hide behind tussocks of grass.
Gap Creek Reserve
This an area of beautiful bushland in Mount Coot-tha, 13km west of Brisbane CBD. It forms part of Mount Coot-tha Forest and borders with D-Aguilar National Park. The main entrance to the reserve is in Gap Creek Rd. To get there, from Moggill Rd in Kenmore turn into Brookfield Rd. After 2km turn right into Gap Creek Rd. You will see a carpark with a wooden footbridge leading to the reserve. Facilities also include picnic tables, shelters, toilets and a variety of trails. Be careful there, the tracks are dual-purpose and are very popular with mountain bikers.
Over 100 bird species have been recorded here. Key species are Spotted Quail-thrush, Painted Button-quail, White-throated Nightjar and Bell Miner. Other birds of interest include Little Lorikeet, Golden Whistler, Rose Robin, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Large-billed Scrubwren and Scarlet Honeyeater. Rarities include Oriental Cuckoo, White-eared Monarch, Speckled Warbler, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Powerful Owl.
A good place for birding is bushland near the creek about 100m before the carpark (approaching from Brookfield Rd). Nankeen Night-Herons often roost there. Look also for Eastern Spinebill, White-naped Honeyeater, Rufous Fantail, Rose Robin, Forest Kingfisher, Leaden Flycatcher and Shining Bronze-cuckoo. A stretch of the track from the carpark to the creek is also good for nocturnal birds such as Southern Boobook, White-throated Nightjar, Australian Owlet-nightjar and Barn Owl. Tawny Frogmouth usually roosts near the carpark.
Barn Owl
When bloodwoods are flowering, expect to find Little Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Lewin’s Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater and Yellow-faced Honeyeater in them.
From the Gap Creek Picnic Area, the 1.6km one-way Quail Tk runs north up to Dillon Rd. Bell Miners are everywhere here. Look also for Common Cicadabird, Black-faced Monarch, Olive-backed Oriole, Sacred Kingfisher, Golden Whistler and Rose Robin.
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
The Gardens are not technically part of the Mount Coot-tha Forest but are situated adjacent to it at the foot of Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane’s tallest hill. The 56ha site is recognised as the premier subtropical botanic garden in Queensland. There are several theme gardens on the grounds including Japanese garden, bamboo grove, Australian native garden, rainforest, etc., connected by creeks and lagoons.
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens are located in the suburb of Toowong along Mount Coot-tha Rd, 7km west of Brisbane CBD. Access is from Mount Coot-tha Rd. Facilities include several carparks, a café, kiosk, toilets and a network of sealed paths. Driving is allowed only on the ring road.
Further details can be found on the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Visitor Map, downloadable
