Tags
australia, Botanical Gardens, Brisbane, Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Brisbane River, Photography, Qld, Queensland, story bridge, travel
I have been coming here to these gardens for a number of years. When I lived closer to the city we would ride our bikes in to the Botanical gardens and stop for Devonshire tea at the garden cafe.
This time, with my friends visiting, we took the bus to Southbank where we hopped on to a city cat to go across the Brisbane river to these lovely gardens, arriving via QUT.
The City Botanic Gardens, which is Brisbane Citys oldest park, was originally planted by convicts in 1825 with food crops to feed the prison colony. These gardens include ancient trees, rainforest glades and exotic species. They run the full length of Alice Street, bordered by Parliament House on the one side and the Brisbane River’s northern banks on the other. Where the park borders the Brisbane river there is a wide tree lined path, which offers a pleasant walk by day or evening, and from here there are views of the many yachts at anchor and in the distance the iconic Story Bridge.
In the park there is so much space that even when the park is busy you don’t feel overcrowded. There are many walkways which are wide enough to allow for both bicycle and foot traffic to share.
The gardens are an absolutely wonderful display of the most beautiful delights anyone could wish for. A large expansive area is set out beautifully with lots of grassy areas to relax in. The flower displays are truly delightful. The gardens are beautifully maintained and you really can get amongst the shrubs and giant trees. There are several large camphor laurel trees which are fantastic for climbing. The pond serves as a brilliant focal point that is teaming with wildlife including many species of birds, lizards (water dragons) and turtles.
There are several options of cafes to stop for coffee or lunch. We chose to have lunch in The Pantry located at QUT at Gardens point and within the grounds of the Iconic Old Government House. This small cafe offers a great selection of simple morning tea and lunch items, wonderful coffee and an interesting atmosphere.
There are free guided walks available from Monday to Saturdays from approximately 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. (excluding public holidays). These walks which last approximately one hour are led by experienced, friendly Volunteer Guides. Just meet at the Rotunda near the Alice Street Main Entrance.
This is a brilliant place to visit with the family. You can wander through the gardens or walk along the river bank all the way to the bridge over to Southbank.

One of the many beautiful camphor laurel trees
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I need to plan a visit to your lovely part of the world!
What a great idea. Keep me posted. Lyn
Beautiful! :)
It sure is Lynette. Thanks Lyn
The garden is so pretty!
Thanks Celine. It truly is. Lyn
Thanks Celine. It surely is. Lyn
This is really my kind of place. Beautiful.
It is lovely, easy, free and a great escape. Thanks Lyn
I have wonderful memories of this beautiful park!
Me too Linda. Thanks Lyn
We’ll be hopping over The Ditch in January to visit Brisbane – this is on our list!
I am sure you will not be disappointed. The city will be hot but
the gardens will be nice and cool. Enjoy. Lyn
There is something so special about parks. Thanks Lyn.
Thanks Georgie. Especially when it is by the river. A great escape and just so darn easy. Lyn
It looks peaceful in that park, Lyn. My family loves parks. I haven’t been to Brisbane but I heard that it’s a great place for kids. :)
I have no doubt that your family would love this park as it caters for all ages. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Lyn
What a lovely way to enjoy a perfect Winters Day, and now a perfect Spring Day….yay…. :)
It sure was. Mind you our winters are pretty perfect most of the time. Thanks. Lyn
Well that’s true. Better than Melbourne’s. 😉
Yes..It’s a gorgeous place to take visitors!
Definitely thanks Kay
Such a salubrious place! Then again, Queensland, as a whole, seems salubrious.
Queensland is pretty special and just keeps better. I like it. Thanks Lyn
It is beautiful, and sometimes when it is right on your doorstep you tend not to visit. Why do we usually wait until we have visitors to show around! I think I might just take myself off there before it gets too hot and enjoy the beauty of it
So true Mary, but I must say, I love being a tourist in my own city now days. Please go and if you would like company let me know as I will join you.
Thank you for that Lyn I haven’t been to the botanical gardens for many years forgotten how special they are. Lovely photos. 💟
Thanks Leah. It really is a great day out. Great spots for morning tea and for lunch or you can take a picnic, sit on the grass and overlook the river. Lyn x
Gorgeous place.
Noice Lyn. Your blog has illuminated what we have close by in our own city and neglect to visit. It’s a date.
Thanks Gail. It sure is a lovely place to spend a few hours or a day.
The perfect way to spend sunny days. Done great places to visit and enjoy the perfect cuppa. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reminding me of these gardens, Lyn – good memories of our trip to Brisbane.
And thanks for reading my blog Andrew. Happy to hear that you have good memories of Brisbane. Lyn