Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is located at Gardens Point on the south-east of the peninsula of the Brisbane River adjacent to the central business district of the city of Brisbane. The gardens area has frontages on both Alice Street and George Street.

History

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens were established in 1855 and consists of approximately 20 hectares.

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens were once called "Queens Park", and the 1905 Curator's cottege is now the City Gardens Cafe. Some of the older trees planted in the Gardens were the first of their species to be planted in Australia.

Due to the proximity to the river, the Botanic Gardens have been flooded eight times between 1870 - 1974. With many plants being washed away, the Brisbane City Council established a new botanic gardens at Mount Coot-tha.

Overview

The roughly triangular park is bordered by the Brisbane River on one side, and the grounds of Parliament House and the Queensland University of Technology's Gardens Point campus on another. The Alice Street frontage stretches from George Street (immediately opposite to Queensland Parliament House) to Edward Street at the Brisbane River.

The Gardens include Brisbane's most mature gardens, with many rare and unusual botanic species. In particular the Gardens feature a special collection of cycads, palms, figs and bamboo.

Access

The gardens are accessible by Alice Street, the Goodwill Bridge and Brisbane City Council's ferries and CityCats at the Gardens Point and Eagle St wharves. The river frontage features a mangrove boardwalk.

Functions

Along with being a botanic gardens, the gardens also have many other functions. Many office workers from the nearby business district use the gardens for reading and laying on grass in lunchtimes. It is a popular venue for weddings. A wedding can be seen nearly every weekend.

At the rear of the gardens is Brisbane River Stage, in which many council (and big band names, such as American band "Fall Out Boy") concerts take place, as well as the annual Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols every Christmas. There are also guided walks, self-guided walks, picnic areas and a restaurant on the grounds of the botanic gardens.

Opening Hours

The gardens are open 24 hours, with pathways lit at night.

Additional photos of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

ee also

* Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

External links

* [http://www.brisbane.world-guides.com/brisbane_parks_gardens.html Brisbane parks and gardens]