Nice, The Bruiser and I arrived at the base of Mount Coot-tha on a hot March Sunday. It was 30 degrees and muggy. Thankfully we picked a short and easy walk, but due to the weather it was still going to be a sweaty exercise to walk the Summit track up to the lookout and back.

The Summit track is graded moderate, a 3.8 kms, 1 hour round trip. The path is mostly bitumen and passes through open eucalypt forests and a couple creek crossings. The crossings have concrete bridges and due to the drought are bone dry.

On the way, we spotted a goanna basking in the sun just off the path. Nice got a small fright when I pointed out the lizard.

As planned, we reached the Summit lookout within 30 minutes. We stopped briefly for lunch and enjoyed the views of Brisbane city and its suburbs. Looking south west we could clearly make out Mount Barney, Mount Maroon, Mount French and The Pulpit.

Our descent back to the carpark was uneventful and quick. We decided to take a small detour and do the Aboringal Art trail which is graded moderate and a 1 km, 30 minute circuit. This trail is decorated with contemporary indigenous arts works ranging from rock formations, tree carvings and rock art. The trail winds its way back onto the Summit track and following this track back we arrived back to the carpark within 40 minutes.

More photos are published here: http://picasaweb.google.com/meltaxa/MtCoothaSummitTrack