Just eight kilometres from the city centre, the suburbs of St Lucia and Indooroopilly are within close proximity of Brisbane's Mt. Coot-tha Park. The park's lookout point allows spectacular views over the city to Moreton Bay. If feeling like soaking in this visual delight, there's a cafe and restaurant to relax in. If feeling more energetic, there are some good walks around Mt. Coot-tha and it's foothills, including the Aboriginal Art Trail, which takes you past eight art sites where local artists display their work. There is also the very beautiful Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, which not only has four different garden environments, but is home to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, the largest planetarium in Australia.

Further West, The Gap marks the entrance to the enormous 28500 hectare Brisbane Forest park. Mt. Nero Road twists and turns through the park offering breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape. At the top, the Wivenhoe Outlook has magnificent views over the massive Lake Wivenhoe and upper Brisbane River. When heading back take the Samford Rd turn-off, just past sleepy town of Mt. Glorious. This alternative route to Brisbane via the outer suburb of Chermside is regarded as one of the most scenic in the State and runs by the Australian Woolshed, a sheep-farm experience with daily ram shows, sheepshearing, and other typical country activities.