Mount Petrie

Atop Mount Petrie, the wind whispers tales of Brisbane’s past. Mount Petrie isn’t just a peak. It’s a silent observer, watching the city unfold below. In 1838, Andrew Petrie, Superintendent of Works for the Moreton Bay Colony, found himself lost. He scaled this very peak, then unnamed, to regain his bearings. The breathtaking view revealed not only his location but also the future potential of the land below. The mountain now bears his name, a testament to this pivotal moment. Mount Petrie rises 170 meters, a modest giant offering panoramic views of Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Its slopes, once dense bushland teeming with koalas, wallabies, and echidnas, have witnessed significant changes. The construction of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project in 2008 impacted the bushland, a reminder of the delicate balance between progress and preservation. A darker story lingers near the mountain’s base. In 1942, a Qantas DH-86 aircraft crashed, a tragic event that claimed nine lives. Today, a trig tower stands at the summit, a modern tool for surveying and a stark contrast to Petrie’s initial climb. From here, you can trace the path of the Gateway Motorway, a ribbon of concrete connecting the city. You can also spot Mount Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt, Brisbane’s other prominent peaks. Mount Petrie stands as a symbol of exploration, resilience, and the ever-changing landscape of Brisbane.