If you have spent any time in Brisbane, you would know that our abundant green spaces are both plentiful and expansive. In fact, with over 200 parks and gardens sprinkled in and around the city, finding a tranquil place to immerse yourself in nature is almost as simple as stepping outside of your front door. If you are looking for a standout backdrop to set your picnic down in this weekend though, there are some pretty spectacular gardens in Brisbane you may want to move to the top of your list. With manicured lawns, feature attractions, generous play spaces, and all the facilities you need, below is our list of the top 7 gardens to visit in Brisbane:
1. City Botanic Gardens, CBD
The City Botanic Gardens is an inner city oasis – literally. Located right in the heart of Brisbane city, the gardens are a massive 50 hectares in size and contain some of Brisbane’s most mature gardens, with many rare and unusual botanic species. In particular they feature a special collection of cycads, palms, figs and bamboo. With walk and bike paths weaving throughout the park and along the river that it also borders, be sure to pack in the kids cycles (or hire some) so you can take a leisurely ride around these expansive gardens. Kids will love the newly renovated playground and the boardwalk through the mangroves over the Brisbane River (great for the imagination and for viewing passing CityCats). See what wildlife you can spot in the gardens, marvel at the huge trees in Weeping Fig Avenue, or simply lay out on the manicured lawns and take in the gentle sounds of Bamboo Grove as they creak and rustle in the wind. The ornamental pond is also a great hit for families. Don’t forget to take some duck food with you!
2. Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha
With 52 hectares of green space featuring over 20,000 plants and 5,000 plant species, the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha are Australia’s premier subtropical botanic gardens. With plenty of room for active youngsters to run around and burn excess energy, the gardens are not only a showcase of beautiful flora, but are also home to numerous other attractions for visitors. Don’t miss the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail, specially designed to teach kids about their natural environment. Collect one of the brochures before you start and the kids will have fun following the trail’s 17 steps, learning about local plants and animals along the way. Step through a range of different natural environments as you discover the Sensory Garden, Bamboo Grove, and the Exotic Rainforest. Finally, round off your visit with a picnic next to the lovely little lake or head up to Mt Coot-tha’s summit for an ice-cream and a view!
3. Redcliffe Botanic Gardens
Photo Credit: Queensland.com
Whilst it is easy to get lost in the natural serenity and beauty of the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, it is also a place where children can discover, learn and delight in too. If you have a small budding chef in the family they will want to visit the garden’s well-known Herb Garden, which contains a whopping 500 species of herbs! They will also love the Chorizema Spring, which has been designed to replicate a natural pond system. While there, see if the your children can spot the hidden frog. By far the star of the show though is the gardens’ huge bat colony – and by huge, we mean gigantic! Home to over 1,000 bats at any given time, day or night, the kids will be fascinated as they watch these flying foxes dangle upside down from every branch they walk beneath, and flap noisily around the treetops in massive numbers.
4. Redlands Indigiscape
Indigiscape, located in Redlands, has a host of beautifully designed gardens which have all been carefully constructed to show how local plants can be used in your own backyard garden. Kids will enjoy walking through the diverse spaces, with each garden laid out according to themes such as Coastal, Wild Herb, Rainforest, Formal, Butterfly and Wetland. So much more than simply an impressive array of gardens though, IndigiScapes is an environmental educational centre boasting a recently renovated Discovery Centre, native nursery, café, gift shop, native botanical gardens, nature trails, and a playground for children. Discover local Brisbane wildlife, check out the flying fox, and have a go on the interactive koala wall. Or why not take up one of the free audio tours, aimed at kids aged 6-10 years? These gardens offer a range of child-friendly events and activities throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website when planning a visit.
5. Roma Street Parkland
By far one of the most spectacular gardens in Brisbane and one that you should allow a full day to visit is the Roma Street Parklands . Located in the city centre and covering over 16 hectares on land, the gardens offer visitors numerous different play spaces, natural environments, and features to enjoy. In the parkland you will find an array of stunning green spaces, from colourful flower gardens and inviting lawns to tropical forests and picturesque lakes. There are a number of different ways to explore the space, including a free guided tour of the grounds or via a ride on the ever-popular Parkland Explorer train, which travels between all of the park’s main sights. There are not one but two great playgrounds, a Children’s Garden with herbs and produce, and even a worm farm. Bring your bikes and explore the many pathways throughout the gardens, or simply lounge on the giant rolling green hills with a picnic. With so much to see and explore, you can easily spend a whole day here and still want to come back for more!
6. Epicurious Garden, South Bank
The Epicurious Garden at South Bank Parklands is an ornamental and productive garden that was established to inspire people’s interest in edible produce and to teach them how to do grow and use their own fresh, seasonal produce. Covering 1500m2 and with 30 garden beds, the Epicurious Garden is packed with tasty treats, from herbs and vegetables to Asian greens and edible flowers. For those looking to bring their own produce gardens to the table there is even informative signage and links to different delicious recipes. If you are really serious, visit the garden between 7am-11.30am Tuesday-Thursday, and the on-site garden volunteers will be on hand to teach you all about gardening and cooking with what is grown there. Get in early on those days and you can even select some of the great produce to take home for free from the harvest cart!
7. Queens’ Park, Ipswich
Queen’s Park is one of our absolute favourite places to visit while in Ipswich! So much more than just the city’s central park, it is home to an impressive environmental education centre, a delightful nature centre, a children’s playground and an absolutely stunning Japanese-inspired garden. Nerima Gardens was created with peace and tranquility in mind. It consists of beautifully designed and manicured gardens, an exotic temple, serene lakes, and plenty of hidden pathways to uncover. This is one garden that is guaranteed to quieten even the most restless of souls. Be sure to take you time walking through the gardens, its central lake and trickling waterfall a serene centrepiece to it all. Be sure to look up too – with a large bat colony also calling the stunning environment home. Before you leave Queens Park, we definitely recommend popping in to the Nature Centre. Here the kids can discover some super cute native animals in their natural environment for only a gold coin donation admission price!
If you are happy to head out on a road trip you should also check out the Toowoomba Queens Park Gardens — which not only plays host to a flower show but also has a wonderful Japanese Garden.
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