Overview

  • Features: Tropical gardens with a lot of greenery and rainforest plants
  • Opening Times:  7:30am to 5:30pm Mon-Fri; 8:30am to 5:30pm Sat & Sun
  • Best Time to Visit: Weekdays at 10am (for a free guided walk)
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Transport Options: Bus, car
  • Cost: Free
  • Address: Collins Avenue, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
  • Type: Gardens

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What We Liked

Free guided walk was very informative.

What We Disliked

Nothing really.

Summary

A visit to Cairns Botanic Gardens is a must for every nature lover who is spending time in Cairns. If you are considering a visit to this beautiful garden sanctuary, read this article to find out how you can make the most of your visit to the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

How to Make the Most of a Visit to Cairns Botanical Gardens

 

Avisit to Cairns Botanic Gardens is a must for every nature lover who is spending time in Cairns. If you are considering a visit to this beautiful garden sanctuary, read this article to find out how you can make the most of your visit to the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

 

 

Cairns Botanical Gardens Map

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1. Free Guided Walks

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If there’s only one thing that you do at the Cairns Botanical Gardens, it’s the free guided walk. Learn about the Flecker Botanic Gardens known for their collection of more than 100 species of palm trees as well as many other tropical plants.

The free guided walk departs from Monday to Friday at 10am from the Friends House, Flecker Garden; it lasts for approximately one hour.

If you’re more interested in exploring the gardens by yourself, pick up a walks brochure from the information centre.

 

 

2. Gondwanan Evolutionary Garden

Look out for this garden which traces the 415-million-year-heritage of tropical plants. Emphasis is placed on the Gondwanan component of the plant kingdom and in particular the development of the distinctive Australian Wet Tropics Flora. The garden is divided into zones, representing different stages of plant evolution.

 

 

3. Rainforest Boardwalk

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The Rainforest Boardwalk is a great place to visit in the Cairns Botanical Gardens as it showcases what the coastal areas of Cairns once looked like before settlement. In addition, you’ll be able to see some endangered plants including the Layered Tassel Fern as well as the Lovely Fairy Wren which frequents this area.

The western end of the boardwalk is located across Collins Avenue from the Main Gate. The eastern end is adjacent to the Saltwater Creek footbridge that accesses the Saltwater Lake.

 

 

4. Saltwater Creek

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Take the Rainforest Boardwalk to Saltwater Creek which is surrounded by mangroves inhabited by a variety of birds. The adjacent Saltwater Lake is also worth visiting as its grounds are planted with a wide variety of tropical fruit trees and shrubs. You will also find a raised, no-dig garden bed filled with tropical vegetables. You can also take advantage of the facilities in this area which include picnic shelters, BBQs and a children’s playground.

 

 

5. Centenary Lakes

Created in 1976 to commemorate the city’s first 100 years, Centenary Lakes is a birdwatcher’s delight and a must visit for bird lovers.

 

 

6. Mount Whitfield Conservation Park

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Located uphill adjacent to the gardens, Mount Whitfield Conservation Park has a cool, tranquil rainforest dense enough for wallabies. The park is accessed off Collins Street, west off the northern end of Sheridan Street.

If you’re up for it Mt Whitfield Conservation Park has two walking tracks through rainforest, climbing to viewpoints over the city; follow joggers up the Red Arrow circuit (1.5km, one hour) or the more demanding Blue Arrow circuit (6.6km, four to five hours).

 

 

7. Cairns Botanical Gardens Café

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Tired from walking around the botanical gardens? Rejuvenate yourself at the Cairns Botanical Gardens Café with a cup of tea or coffee and some of their delicious treats. Located on Collins Avenue, the Cairns Botanical Gardens Café is open daily from 7am to 4:30pm.

 

 

Tell us what you think. Is the Cairns Botanical Gardens on your list of places to visit? If you’ve been here before, which areas did you visit and what was your verdict?

We love to hear from you so please leave your comments below.

 

 

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