Not all who wander are lost!

“Absolutely stunning and unmissable - The Cairns Botanic Gardens”

Comprising a variety of landscapes and botanical experiences, the Gardens are a visitor’s must-do.

See below for info on the Red Arrow Walking Trail

Bamboo Land

Enter from Collins Avenue to discover the Bamboo Collection. The Cairns Botanic Gardens display a wonderful collection of tropical bamboos that grow in clumps, including one of the tallest bamboos in the world - Dendrocalamus giganteus.

The bamboo rustle in the breeze and make their own unique music 😊

Follow the path onward from the Bamboo Collection to the Herb Garden and Saltwater Lake

Just before you reach Saltwater Lake stop to enjoy the herb and spice garden.

Centenary Lakes

Cross a small footbridge as you pass around Saltwater Lake and head across to Freshwater Lake and the Chinese Gardens

Chinese Gardens

The Chinese Friendship Garden commemorates Cairns sister city in China - Zhanjiang, in Guangdong Province.

Rainforest boardwalk

Loop around to the other side of Freshwater Lake and follow the path back towards the Botanical Gardens. This pathway leads you to a 500 metre boardwalk through pandanus and Melaleuca swamp filled with ancient paperbark trees. The exit is back onto Collins Street and the official gateway to the Botanical Gardens - we haven’t even started yet : )

You’ve emerged from a step back in time to the primeval forests and the trappings of modern civilisation appear again; cross over the road and enter the Gardens through the gateway. The best awaits!

Conservatory

It’s time to rest. Lie back in the shade on a serene and spacious lawn surrounded by green canopies. You’ll spot the Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory, featuring beautiful tassel ferns, butterflies and orchids.

The Flecker Gardens

Explore one of the pathways in behind the Conservatory to discover, perhaps the most enjoyable find in the Cairns Botanic Gardens - the historic Flecker Gardens, established in the 1880’s!

I love brushing through the close canopies in the Flecker Gardens, the meandering pathways, the streams (albeit often dry), the small footbridges and the ability to get lost! : )

Depending on whether you happen to wander west or east, you’ll discover so many more delightful garden zones. Perhaps you need to return time and time again. Refreshments are available at two cafes embedded in the Gardens.

The fun lies in the surprises. You might come across the interesting Aboriginal Plant Use Garden at the western end (McCormack Street). Herein also lies an amazing large and ancient specimen South American raintree (Albizia saman) …

Venture east from Flecker and, especially if you time it right, you’ll discover one of the most beautiful visual displays of the Jade Vine in flower ..

Gondwanaland

Having completed your set of selfies under the vine next stop is Gondwanaland!

The Cairns’ Botanic Gardens Gondwanan Evolution Garden displays flora that evolved when Australia had a land connection with its Gondwanan neighbours (Africa, South America, India and Antarctica).

Interpretive signage sets out the story of how, 300 million years ago, the world was one giant land mass, called Pangaea. As continental drift occurred Australia separated from its neighbours, carrying the Gondwanic flora and fauna with it.

This fascinating history of our planet is conveyed through the walk-through of the Evolution Garden; both educative and experiential.

As you emerge from the Gondwanan Wet Tropics “Living Museum” you’ll encounter the shiny new building housing both the cafe (TANK sixty four) and the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre (and toilets). This is a gentle reminder and reality check that your mind is no longer embedded in the Jurassic.

Tanks Sunday Markets

Market Day is once a month, on a Sunday (April to November). Of all the markets in Cairns, the Tanks Sunday Markets are in one of the most leafy and beautiful settings - just along from the Visitor Centre. It’s a great place to wander and enjoy. Stalls offer refreshments and snacks, local art, crafts etc.

Art Gallery

An obligatory stop before we head back to our starting point (the bamboo collection pathway off Collins Street) is the art gallery at Tank 4. There are always new and fascinating art exhibitions to enjoy and it’s free to enter.

The tanks, by the way, were formerly concrete fuel tanks, built during World War II to supply fuel to navy ships. Tank 5 is now a amazing performance venue. Follow this link for what’s on > https://www.tanksartscentre.com/music

The Red Arrow

Have you run out of steam yet? Maybe for another day, but before you leave, you have a hill to climb - the Red Arrow!

The Red Arrow trail is situated in Mount Whitfield Conservation Park and its access is from the Cairns Botanic Gardens. There is usually shady car parking available in Collins Ave and the trail is a great exercise option while visiting the Gardens. Most of the track is via. steps to reach one of two summits, offering great views out to the Coral Sea, across Cairns City and particularly a view over Cairns Airport. Allow from 30 minutes up and down, depending on your fitness, and how long you spend admiring the scenic views.

If you are feeling less energetic there is an even shorter forest trail that branches off from the Red Arrow near the beginning and circles back to the Gardens’ Visitor Centre and cafe.

Walking this shorter track is a wonderful way to simply have a taste of a rainforest walk in a relaxing manner and being able to admire the forest flora and fauna (not-so-shy brush turkey - Alectura lathami), small bridges that cross over creek beds (sometimes with water) and enjoy the coolness afforded by the forest.

Cafes and Dining

Cairns Botanic Gardens are only a stone’s throw from the Edge Hill village shops and restaurants. Visit Teddy Espresso, restaurants Osmosis, NOA and the new Mexican cuisine Guerilla.