Enjoy the attractions, facilities and events at the City Botanic Gardens. Use the map to plan your day.
Located in the heart of Brisbane, the City Botanic Gardens is Queensland’s oldest heritage garden.
Steeped in Brisbane history, the riverside park spans 18 hectares and 1.2 kilometres of river frontage. It’s home to heritage, exotic and native plants and trees.
With a children’s playground, café and a calendar of events and activities, the City Botanic Gardens promises a fun day out for all ages.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Facilities and services, such as the café and information kiosk, have individual operating hours.
There’s limited street parking around the botanic gardens. Disability parking is available inside the Edward Street gate and behind The Gardens Club (entry via Gardens Point Road).
Drop-off areas:
The botanic gardens are a 10 to 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Entry is via the:
You can access the botanic gardens via the Goodwill Bridge, Kangaroo Point Bridge and the Bicentennial Bikeway.
Use a bike rack at:
There are also several bike racks located within the botanic gardens.
Plan your ride using our bike paths map.
The closest train stations are Central Station and South Bank, which are both a 10-minute walk from the botanic gardens.
The closest bus stops are on Alice Street and George Street.
The closest ferry terminals are:
QUT Gardens Point – CityCat and Express CityCat services
Riverside – CityCat, Inner-City Cross River Ferry and the free CityHopper service.
Plan your trip with Translink’s Journey Planner.
Learn about the gardens, their history and features on an hour-long guided walk led by a friendly local.
Walks leave from the Information Kiosk at 11am and 1pm, Monday to Saturday, except on public holidays.
You can also customise and book a guided walk for groups of 10 or more. You must book 6 weeks in advance.
To book a customised walk:
Throw a rug on the lawns or snag one of the picnic tables or shaded seats. You’ll also find shelters, water bubblers, taps and accessible toilets at the botanic gardens.
Not sure which spot to choose? The Royal Palm Lawn and the Baldwin Lawn Playground are favourites with picnickers.
Sit down for a drink or bite with a view at The Gardens Club.
The charming, dog-friendly café is in the heritage-listed Curators Cottage. It’s operated by the Wise Foundation, with all profits going back to the community and organisations in need.
Opening hours:
Find out more about The Gardens Club.
Give students a hands-on outdoor learning experience with knowledgeable and engaging educators.
Suitable for Years 4 and 5, our City Gardens Time Traveller lessons in the gardens are:
aligned with the National Curriculum
1.5 hours long
offered Tuesday to Friday at 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm.
You can request different lesson times when enquiring about a booking.
Our Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha Lessons in the Gardens brochure includes sessions available in the City Botanic Gardens.
Download the brochure to learn about the lessons.
The fees for lessons include GST:
Your school will only be charged for the numbers that attend on the day.
Complete the online form to enquire about booking a lesson.
You can also use the form for lesson enquiries in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha or the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Choose from 9 park sites for your special event.
Booking fees start at $199.60 per hour, with a 2-hour booking minimum.
This space has an expansive lawn surrounded by trees and foliage.
| Capacity | 77 people (seated) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
This site features a large, flat, grassy area with lagoon views.
| Capacity | 51 people (seated) |
| Power | Available |
| Marquees | Permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
A flat, lush lawn by the lagoon.
| Capacity | 37 people (seated) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
An expansive lawn area near the Albert Street entrance gate.
| Capacity | 77 people (seated) |
| Power | Available |
| Marquees | Permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
A large lawn bordered by large trees.
| Capacity | 72 people (seated) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
This site is an intimate grassy area shaded by large trees.
| Capacity | 26 people (seated) |
| Power | Available |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
This site is bordered by mature trees and has river views.
| Capacity | 57 people (seated) |
| Power | Available |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
A tree-lined lawn next to The Gardens Club.
| Capacity | 30 people (seated) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
A small area shaded by trees with river views.
| Capacity | 20 people (seated) |
| Power | Unavailable |
| Marquees | Not permitted |
| Virtual tour | Yes |
To book a site, you’ll need to specify:
what type of event you’re planning
how many people you expect to attend.
You’ll also need to check the booking conditions and fees that apply to your chosen site.
When you're ready, complete the Park Booking Application online form.
The following conditions apply to bookings in the City Botanic Gardens.
Discover more than 600 plant species at the City Botanic Gardens. See rare plants and trees from Australia and overseas, and heritage species planted in the 1850s.
Stroll around lily ponds, walk through themed areas, including a rainforest and bamboo grove, and see colourful garden bed displays.
You can also spot historic artefacts, including a cannon dating back to the early 1800s and Brisbane’s first drinking fountain.
The City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk is a shared pathway for riders and walkers.
The 2-way path extends from the City Reach Boardwalk, at the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street, to the Bunya Walk in the gardens.
It features:
The City Botanic Gardens River Hub is part of Council’s River Access Network. It offers access to the gardens and city via the Brisbane River.
Located on the Brisbane River in the City Botanic Gardens, Riverstage is an iconic outdoor entertainment venue.
It hosts music festivals, community events and concerts by local, national and international artists.
The City Botanic Gardens has an accessible playground for children of all ages and abilities.
It features a castle-themed fort with slides, viewing platforms and a climbing net, as well as a quiet play area, sand pit, accessible toilets, picnic tables and chairs.
Take the scenic route from the entrance path on Alice Street to the Riverwalk through Weeping Fig Avenue.
The fig-lined boardwalk is fringed with majestic trees originally planted in the 1870s.
Events at the City Botanic Gardens include fitness activities, community events and guided walks.
Before the City Botanic Gardens were officially opened, part of the land was originally used to grow crops for the early penal colony.
In 1855, the area was declared a botanic reserve and Walter Hill was appointed as the garden’s first curator. Under Hill’s care, the gardens grew from the original 6-acre block to nearly 28 acres. Hill also planted Bunya pines, fig trees and other plants that still stand tall today.
The gardens continued to expand and even included a zoo. Flamingos, bears, monkeys, emus and a Galapagos tortoise lived at the gardens until the zoo was disbanded in 1958.
In 1997, the City Botanic Gardens was added to the Queensland Heritage Reister. This recognised the gardens for their natural, historic and cultural values.
Yes, dogs are welcome in the City Botanic Gardens. You must leash your dog and dispose of waste responsibly.
Keen to let your dog off the leash? The closest dog parks are across the river, in Kangaroo Point.
To get to the dog parks, catch the free CityHopper from the Riverside ferry terminal to the Holman Street stop (for the Captain Burke Park dog park).
Learn about travelling on ferries with your dog.
You can volunteer as a guide for walking tours at the City Botanic Gardens.
You don’t need formal qualifications in horticulture or botany. All you need is a passion for the botanic gardens, good social and communication skills.
If you’re interested in volunteering as a guide:
Yes, wedding ceremonies are allowed at the City Botanic Gardens.
Weddings at the gardens can be booked up to 12 months in advance.
Learn more about booking a site at the City Botanic Gardens.
Metered street parking is available around the City Botanic Gardens, including:
Find more information about parking in Brisbane City.
You can ride your bike on the City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk. This riverside shared path starts at the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street and leads on to Bunya Walk in the gardens.
Yes, there are walking tracks in the City Botanic Gardens and a riverside pathway.
The City Botanic Gardens Riverwalk extends from the City Reach Boardwalk, at the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street, to Bunya Walk in the gardens. It's a 2-way, separated cyclist and pedestrian pathway.
You can also do a free guided walk through the gardens.
Keen to do some more walking or running? Find other walking and hiking tracks in Brisbane.
