Mayor to announce West End company to build zipline experience at Mt Coot-tha

THRILLSEEKERS will soon be able to plunge from the top of Mt Coot-tha on the longest zipline in Australia, with Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk expected to make a major announcement regarding the attraction today.

Tourists often go to Mt Coot-tha to admire the view of Brisbane. The zipline would give a more unique experience.

THRILLSEEKERS will soon be able to plunge from the top of Mt Coot-tha on the longest zipline in Australia as part of a high-adrenaline ride over the treetops.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is expected to announce today that West End company Zipline Australia has been endorsed to build two ziplines at Mt Coot-tha, which is the city’s second-most visited precinct behind South Bank.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is expected to announce Zipline Australia will build two ziplines at Mt Coot-tha.

“Zipline Australia will build the longest treetop canopy zipline tour in Australia, with a 1500m course weaving through the Mt Coot-tha forest, creating an exciting new leisure and lifestyle attraction,” Cr Quirk said.

“An additional 1400m megazip experience will offer up to six adventurers the chance to zip side-by-side while taking in incredible views of the Brisbane cityscape.”

Mt Coot-tha is Brisbane’s second-most visited tourism area behind South Bank.

The 1.4km megazip ride has been designed to start from a new platform at the Mt Coot-tha lookout, dropping down towards the city to finish near the botanical gardens.

At its highest point, it will have a 170m vertical drop, believed to be the highest of any zipline in Australia.

On the other side of the mountain, the 1.5km treetop zipline will finish near JC Slaughter Falls in the northeast. It is believed to be the longest continuous zipline in Australia, eclipsing the 1km ride in Ourimbah State Forest, just north of Sydney.

A 1500m course will wind through the Mt Coot-tha forest.

Zipline Australia has also been commissioned to build a 300m treetop walk above JC Slaughter Falls, which Cr Quirk described as “the longest pedestrian suspended bridge walk in the southern hemisphere”.

“Not only will this be a great experience for the city’s seven million tourists each year, but a great addition to the leisure and lifestyle activities available to residents,” Cr Quirk said.

“Council will contribute $1 million to the construction of the zipline, as part of a wider $15 million investment into the Mt Coot-tha precinct over four years, while Zipline Australia will make a multimillion-dollar investment into new infrastructure and operations for the ziplines.”

Zipline Australia managing director Matthew Thompson said the company was excited to deliver an “iconic” experience at Mt Coot-tha.

Construction is expected to start late next year with the treetop zipline to be open to the public in 2019. The megazip ride and the suspension bridge are expected to open in 2020, subject to permit and planning approvals.

Opposition Leader Peter Cumming welcomed the zipline but called for an environmental audit on the route, including the release of an environmental impact study.

“The zipline will be a great addition to the Brisbane tourism package but it should leave as small a footprint on the natural environment as possible,” Cr Cumming said.

“The route must be audited by experts to ensure the protection of old growth trees and wildlife habitats.

“I’m calling on Lord Mayor Quirk to ensure an extensive environmental impact study is released for all of Brisbane to see.”

Council will hold community information sessions about the zipline early next year.