J C Slaughter Falls Picnic Area

It’s pretty impossible to uncover the meaning of this park’s name. It suggests the name of a person with the first two «initials» (the place is also named J.C. Slaughter Falls), though I cannot find out who J. C. Slaughter is. And research is a huge part of my job and nature.
(Update: I just received this email from my father, who read this review: «JC Slaughter was Town Clerk of Brisbane — the chief admin officer — for a very long time (30 years?), hence why the Mt Coot-​tha park/​falls was named after him. I could have told you this, had you asked. 1 out of 10 for research Kazza. When in doubt, ask ‘The Dad’.»)
The place is of interest to people into the paranormal. The internet has forums with people discussing images of «lights» they’ve taken here at night. (I have to admit I take Scully’s rather than Mulder’s view on this one.) There’s also an urban legend that a girl was raped and killed here decades ago, but there is no evidence to suggest this occurred. I have also read that JC Slaughter Falls was once the site of an old ammunitions hut where the military stored and issued all types of ammunitions and explosives to U.S. naval activities and ships in Brisbane.
I didn’t even realize the name of this place the first time I came here. Many years ago, my ex-​boyfriend brought me to Slaughter Falls one night after we saw a horror movie. (Can’t remember the name. I remember it was b-​grade, but I’m a wuss.) I was already feeling creeped out the moment we stepped out of the car — in order to «have a look around», which I swiftly did. I saw the sign «Slaughter Falls» and I told my companion he had to be kidding. He didn’t really see an issue, but I swiftly convinced him to get us the hell out of there.
Night-​time activity also includes douchebags hooning around the roads of Mt. Coot-​tha, doing tough laps.
Maybe visit by daytime, as Mt. Coot-​tha is really pretty.
PS As to whether this place is good for children — it’s up to you. If you like to scare your child straight, it may be alright to visit at nighttime. («If you don’t eat all your dinner tonight, we might have to go for a trip to the park!»)

J C Slaughter Falls is a killer place for an outdoor feast. It really is the woodfire barbecues that make this picnic area the best of all of the ones in the general Mt Cootha reserve area. I personally enjoy the rustic experience of having to build a fire to cook my snags on. I knew those girl scout skills would come in handy at some stage.
There are heaps of facilities around so you won’t have to defend your barbecue against other groups of people. There’s a stream that you can have a bit of a splash in, and there’s space enough for a game of footy or cricket (or interpretive dance, or whatever it is you want to do in a park). You can take a short walk (less than 1km) to the falls, or take a longer walk to the Mt Cootha Summit. Stretch before you start.
For those of you looking for outdoor venues to hold particular events in, you might be interested in the bush chapel. It’s a very cool rustic looking sandstone structure set amid the bush that would be perfect for a suitably quaint, el natural event. I’m thinking weddings, really.
I don’t know what the name is about really, but it sounds like its worthy of Hollywood horror type stories. What’s the story behind Slaughter falls? Whoever makes up the best story will win… the knowledge that they’re more creative than, say… me. Just go there for a nice time, ok?

Even after living in Brisbane forever, I still find it incredible that less than 10 minutes drive from the city centre sits Mt Cootha, surrounded on two sides by untamed bush land. J C Slaughter Falls Picnic area is a bit of an outback oasis; one could almost forget that several 100 metres away is a busy main road and a little further is the hustle and bustle of the Toowong business centre. Of course, you will be reminded when you tuck into a picnic sourced from one of the many delis and grocers in the area.
To make it a completely authentic bush experience, the facilities are a little rustic here. The bbqs are wood fire and while there are toilets, don’t expect them to be clean. It’s still a beautiful spot for a picnic and after a bit of rain, there’s a nice little creek that runs all the way through the picnic ground that’s good for splashing in to get out of the heat. There’s plenty of grassy areas for family games of cricket and you will always be able to stake out a spot as it isn’t the busiest of picnic spots.

I’ve always thought the name of this great little picnic area is a bit of a put off — I mean, who doesn’t feel a little creepy saying ‘I’ll meet you at Slaughter Falls’? Linguistic niceties aside, this is a real Brisbane gem where you get access to real Aussie bush just kilometres from the city.
If you’re a bunch of kids looking for a sneaky place to have a drink and a pash (like me and my friends 15 years ago), a family hoping to introduce your kids to nature or somebody with out of town relo’s you need to entertain this is a great place to while away a day with a picnic basket and a rug.

The J C Slaughter Falls Picnic Area is at the base of Mt Coot-​tha, west of Brisbane CBD. There are a number of wood fire BBQ’s available to be used, as well as nearby tables which are perfect for a BBQ or picnic, and taps for water.
To get there, get onto Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, but rather than driving up to the Lookout, stay on the road and follow it around until you see the signs for the J C Slaughter Falls. There are a number of car park areas as well as toilets open from 6am-​7pm.
A short walk in from the car park and toilets, you’ll find the Picnic Area, a luscious green flat area, where all the BBQ’s and tables are.
A little further in there’s a Bush Chapel area. It’s an open air chapel with a sandstone pulpit and log seating on a concrete base. There’s seating available for 30 – 40 people, and would be a fantastic space for an outdoor wedding.
And if you’re feeling adventurous after your picnic, walk up the Summit Track — 3.8km return trip, which takes about an hour to complete.