After eight major floods had swept through the City Botanic Gardens between 1870 and 1974, Brisbane City Council decided to establish a new botanic gardens. The open woodland area on the eastern slopes of Mount Coot-tha was selected as a suitable flood-free site.

Work to build the gardens at the foot of Mt Coot-tha began in 1970 and in 1976, Brisbane Botanic Gardens was officially opened.

The now well-established 52 hectare gardens feature more than 20,000 plants representing approximately 5000 species from around the world. Plants are displayed in subtly changing thematic and geographic communities.

In 1985, work commenced on the 27 hectare Australian Plant Communities collection. This area, starting with the magnificent Bunya Forest offers visitors a tremendous opportunity to view Australian native plants.

In 2015, the redeveloped Legacy Way site will be handed back to the gardens. This area will have a strong conservation focus.