Location
BOTANICAL GARDENS – CAIRNS
What it is?
The Botanical Gardens are just minutes north of Cairns C.B.D.
38 hectares showcasing Native Australian plants, many unique species not found anywhere else in the world.
A beautiful Garden with a boardwalk and an abundance of tropical plants.
There is a beautiful Rainbow Gum tree there, opposite where the arrow walks start. There are several walks from here. Walks can be guided or you can grab a map and go for a hike by yourself. The guided walks include: Bird walks; Heritage Tours; or A Friends of the Gardens Guided Tour (https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns/botanic-gardens/tours-walks).
You can do a loop through the gardens or take one of the Arrow Walks. There is Red (grade 3, 1.5km), Green (grade 4, 3km), Blue (grade 4, 6km) and Yellow (grade 3 ,1.9km) Arrow walks (https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/search?query=arrow+walks&collection=CRC-2021&form=simple&scope=&profile=_default ). (There is a PDF document with more information and a map).
This is also the location of the Tanks Function and Arts Centre. The start of the Arrow walks can be found in this same location, and almost across the road from here is where you will find one of the Rainbow Gum trees which you can see in one of my pictures below.
What it offers?
Walking, education, hiking, event venue hire, beautiful tropical plants and flowers.
Wheelchair Access?
May require assistance.
Sections such as the boardwalk are nice. Be sure to put on some bug spray as there were a few mosquitoes when we went.
What we did?
The first time we went we looked around the boardwalk area, there were a lot of mosquitoes on this evening, so neither of us were keen to stay too long. The second time was Valentines Day and i asked my husband to go look at the flowers with me, rather than buying a bunch that will just die. The third time was specifically to find the Rainbow Gum.
Highlight?
Definately the Rainbow Gum tree. I am a big fan of trees.
Would I do it again?
We always check out the Botanical Gardens when we go to a new city. They are also beautiful and we always learn something new. I love plants and i will always return to Botanical Gardens.
What do you need?
As a couple: water bottles; healthy snacks for the trails/tracks; wide brim hat: sunscreen; definitely a bug spray; good sturdy shoes; picnic and picnic blanket.
With Kids: water; always need snacks; wide brim hat; sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes, you don’t need any hurt knees from tripping over plant roots.
With Pets: Pets are not permitted in any part of the Gardens. There are a lot of small native animals, so please respect this. Obviously assistance animals are allowed.
Yearly Events
There are functions rooms available for hire and are used for many events throughout the year including weddings and commercial filming and photography.
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