Following the official opening of Mt Coot-tha’s visitor information centre this year, talks of other attractions such as the zipline have started circulating again. As the Brisbane City Council’s plans for an eco-adventure tourism facility in Mt Coot-tha slowly comes to life, people are becoming increasingly excited. After all, it’s not everyday that a development will feature both the longest zipline in Australia and the longest suspended pedestrian bridge walk in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The zipline is a commitment of Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and forms part of Council’s Our Shared Vision Mt Coot-tha 2030, which aims to reinforce Mt Coot-tha as the premier destination for ecotourism, as one of Brisbane’s iconic tourist attractions and to solidify Brisbane’s global reputation as Australia’s New World City. It is also part of Council’s commitment to creating new lifestyle and leisure opportunities in Brisbane.”  – Brisbane City Council

The development will be done in three major stages. The Brisbane City Council released an aerial map as part of the general information for this development.

Stage One: Treetop Canopy Tour

Stage One is a treetop canopy zipline tour. At approximately 1.5km, this line will take groups of 8-12 persons from treetop platform to treetop platform.

This will allow passengers to not just enjoy the view, but also have a guided tour to learn about the flora, fauna and indigenous cultural heritage of Mt Coot-tha. This zipline will start west of the Mt Coot-tha Summit and will end west of JC Slaughter Falls.

Stage Two : Megazip

Stage 2 of the development is the 1,400-metre Megazip. After considering various suggestions for the zipline, the council has finally approved the longest zipline in Australia, right here in West Brisbane.

The Megazip will have six parallel lines. This will let adventurers ride it side-by-side whilst enjoying the view of Brisbane CBD at up to 65km/h.

The Megazip will start at the Mt Coot-tha Lookout and end at the Botanic Gardens at Toowong. It will traverse 1.1km from the Summit Lookout to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens in a single span, without touching ground at any point in the middle.

A second span measuring 340m in length will cross the Melaleuca Lake within the gardens.

Because of its span, the Megazip will offer a panoramic view of Brisbane, the bay and distant mountain ranges. When completed, the Megazip (1,400m / 4,593ft) will join the roster of the world’s longest ziplines.

Stage Three : Suspended Bridge

Stage 3 of the development is the construction of a 335-metre walk above JC Slaughter Falls, linking Stage One’s Treetop Canopy Tour and the visitors’ Arrival Centre.

Currently, the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, at 494 metres long, is the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in the Swiss Alps.

At 335 metres long, the Mt Coot-tha bridge walk may come in 159 metres shorter than the world’s longest, but it will be the longest suspended pedestrian bridge walk in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tourists should expect an engaging walking tour featuring bush tucker, hunting, and dreamtime paths.

Visitors’ Arrival Centre

The Visitors’ Arrival Centre, located at the former Legacy Way workforce car park area on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, will house offices for administration and operations, as well as the parking facilities for site visitors and the workforce.

---

Related Article: Mt Coot-tha’s Visitor Information Centre Officially Opens

---

Shuttle Service

A shuttle service will be implemented, connecting the Arrival Centre to the zipline finish points of the Treetop Canopy Tour and the Megazip, along with key zipline destinations for tourists. This shuttle service is expected to relieve congestion and alleviate any build-up in the use of the car park facilities.

Workforce

This project also includes a comprehensive plan which provides employment opportunities for indigenous partners, along with a cultural tour.

Environmental Impact

Despite the scale of the project and the geographical scope of its planned infrastructure, the zipline is expected to have minimal environmental impact. Also, care has been taken to promote both the cultural and ecological features of the area. Studies have been undertaken at the Council’s behest, to ensure that the alignment of the planned zipline considers the least impact to the surrounding area.

Timetable

Prior to selecting a proponent, the project underwent a rigorous process which included a market sounding period in 2016, and a two-stage proposal period which lasted seven months in 2017. BCC came up with a video calling for proposals and giving an overview of the vision behind the project.

The project timetable from construction to opening will cover 2018 to 2020.

BCC says that its final selection is based on having a partner with a proven track record of building ziplines of the highest quality, as well as working on ecotourism projects. Zipline Australia has been selected as the proponent.

Brisbane : New World City

Australia’s longest zipline and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest suspension bridge walk, along with the Walter Taylor Bridge being the only habitable bridge in the Southern Hemisphere, make up the triumvirate of Brisbane’s record-setting landmark public infrastructure designed to boost eco-tourism in the area. These are all part of the city’s vision to become a New World City in the coming decades.

Community Consultation

Community information sessions are scheduled for late January to early February 2018. For ongoing updates on this project, BCC has an online contact form or you may email them at cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au.