Last week we did a quick drive up to the top of Mt Gravatt, on our way back from the supermarket.
Since 1893 Mt Gravatt has attracted climbers, after the colonial
government of the time deemed the hill’s 132 acres a recreational
reserve. Local residents, drawing on voluntary labour then went about
constructing roads and a walking track up its slopes, with a resultant
three hand built roads to the summit.In 1914 a large picnic shelter was built up the top and Mt Gravatt
promptly became the local in-spot for picnics. It also became a hot spot
for car rallies and by 1930, motorbike events. One local champ won the
climb three times, in a four cylinder Indian bike with sidecar.
The current road which leads to the mountaintop was built during the
Depression years by unemployed labourers and a small kiosk that had been
established there burnt down in 1938.
Today the Echidna Magic Cafe, owned and run by Indigenous group First
Contact, is an excellent spot to enjoy the view and has a little
playground to the rear as well as an educational walk-though garden of
native plants.
The lookout can be accessed by car or by hiking through the bush from
the Griffith University Campus and Toohey Mountain Reserve.
Mount Gravatt is at an elevation/altitude/height above sea level of 187 m ...
The view overlooking Brisbane City from the lookout
