Brisbane City Tour Pt 2: Brisbane Botanic Gardens

I am always excited about botanic gardens and I am glad a visit to Brisbane Botanic Gardens was incorporated into our Brisbane City Tour itinerary.

Founded in 1970, this 56-hectare sub-tropical botanic garden has a plethora of native and exotic plant collection. It is located at the foot of the highest mountain in Brisbane, Mount Coot-tha and admission is free.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens is divided into a number of distinct sections. There are gardens after their own themes each displaying plants of the same family or fashioned uniquely. There is also a section for children called Hide' N' Seek Children's Trail where they can follow a trail and spot all the surprises and amazing plant facts.

Arid Zone and Cactus House features cactus and hardy plants that can adapt to harsh arid climate. The weather was exceptionally hot during our visit and standing in Arid Zone was akin to standing in a desert.

Fern House and its surrounds feature 80 species of ferns from tiny weeny ones to huge tree ferns.

Inside Fern House, there is a chair that embraces.

Ron, Posing With Big Tree Ferns

An artistic fern-shaped bench.

The Japanese Garden with the theme ' Mountain-Pond-Stream' is designed by Japan's leading landscape architect, the late Kenzo Ogata. 

Not much flowers and looking very green, Japanese Garden features, stones, water, paths and vegetation in a setting that is typically Japanese.

The bamboo trees in Bamboo Grove section are over 100 years and have not flowered. They have been in existence before the botanic gardens were created. The nearby lagoons are covered with pretty pink and purple lilies and are home to birds, ducks, lizards and turtles.

27,000 hectares of the botanic gardens are dedicated to native Australian plants found mostly in Queensland.

Tropical Display Dome, a large lattice structure displaying plants from the tropic is the most beautiful building inside the botanic gardens.

Though beautiful viewed from outside and equally beautiful inside, I didn't find the plants as impressive.

The Dome Roof

Exotic Flowers

Lovely garden path

At the entrance of the gardens, overlooking the lagoons and bamboo grove is a big restaurant.

Adjacent to the botanic gardens stands Sir Thomas Planetarium, a building with beautiful and creative architecture. You'll have to pay to get admission.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens Visitor's Info.
Address:  Mount Coot-tha Road, Toowong
Open: Everyday from 8.00 am to 5.00/5.30pm
Free Minibus Tour @ 10.30am (Mon - Fri)
Free Guided Walks @ 11am and 1.30pm (Mon to sat)

Related Posts: Click to view

Brisbane City Tour Pt 1: The Highlights

Brisbane City Tour Pt 3: Mount Coot-tha

Brisbane City Tour Pt 4: Queen Street Mall

Brisbane City Tour Pt 5: South Bank Parklands