Aboriginal Art Trail - Mt Coot-tha

This trail branches off from the Summit Track and it takes about 30 minutes to cover the 1.9km - plus time for lingering over the art works.

The trail features contemporary art works including tree carvings, rock paintings, etchings and rock arrangements.

Grade: moderate, rough.
Habitat: open eucalypt forest with emergent vine forest along creeks.
Must: see J.C. Slaughter Falls and East Ithaca Creek after heavy rain!

BACKGROUND

Before the establishment of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony at Brisbane Town in 1824, the Mt Coot-tha area was home to the Turrbal Aboriginal people. From the early days of the colony, residents travelled to Mt Coot-tha for the views. The top was cleared, leaving a lone, large eucalypt and was renamed One Tree Hill. In 1873 the forests were declared a timber reserve to supply timber for railways.

In 1880 a large part of the mountain was designated a reserve for a public park, and named Mt Coot-tha – a derivation of the Aboriginal word kuta meaning honey. In 1919 the lands were transferred to Brisbane City Council. The park was expanded in 1920 under Mayor William Jolly.

Gold was prospected and mined at Mt Coot-tha intermittently from