Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

The City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane’s most historic public gardens, is the perfect place to come for a little outdoors time. With so many different features on offer – such as bike and walking paths, expansive lawns, a fun playground, countless picnicking areas, and even ornamental ponds – you’ll never be at a loss for something to do.

Whether you want to spend a day out with the family, a quiet moment with friends or a relaxing picnic in the shade of a towering tree, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens will offer a unique experience you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens in the CBD

The City Botanic Gardens, unlike the rest of Brisbane’s parks, is located right in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, making access to its facilities very easy.

There’s no hiking involved, and it’s only a 20 minute walk from the city centre; and no further from both Central and Roma Street railway stations. It’s also just a quick walk from the nearest bus stops and City Cat terminal, and has several different entrances for your convenience.

You can access the Gardens through the Parliament House entrance off George Street, or through the entrance found at the intersection of Alice and Albert Street. However, if you want a more picturesque entry into the Gardens, you can enter by way of the Goodwill Bridge, which takes you directly from South Bank into the Botanic Gardens. This is a great way to go if you want to do a bit of exploring in both locations, and, as a walking/cycling only bridge, it’s a quick and easy (not to mention, free) way to get between the two points.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Playground

After a stroll along the Brisbane River, chances are the kids are going to want to play in the playground. The play area in the City Botanic Gardens features an all-abilities playground which aims to allow children of all ages and ability levels to play together.

The playground has everything from a large sand pit, to swings, musical instruments and noise makers, so your children will have no shortage of ways to play and keep  busy. 

Rubberised flooring which surrounds the play structures, as well as features like a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, makes this playground a truly inclusive and safe environment which allows every kid to have fun.

One thing to note is that, while this is an all-abilities playground, the area is not fenced, so it’s important to keep the kids in your sights at all times.

Read our detailed review on the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Playground. 

Events at Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Owing to its picturesque, central location there are often special events held at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. 

One such event in the past has been Lightscape, which illuminates the gardens after dark.

Other events include free guided tours of the gardens, concerts at the Riverstage and of course the popular Riverside Markets, which are held each Sunday (free entry). 

The History and Wildlife of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

If you enter the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens through the Albert Street gate (at the intersection of Alice and Albert Street), one of the first things you’ll notice on your right is the beautiful and historic ornamental ponds.

Designed and created between 1958 and 1960, the lower pond was a part of the Garden’s original natural creek system. The ponds are now home to numerous different plant and animal species, and are a great place to take kids to teach them about Brisbane’s wildlife.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Feature

• All-abilities playground
• Accessible toilets
• Ornamental ponds
• River frontage
• Boardwalks and walking paths
• Bicycle paths
• Riverstage (Outdoor concert venue)
• Bookable sites for events (details at Brisbane City Council)
• Cafe 
• Street parking (for a fee)
• Accessible by public transport

While You Are in the Area

There is so much more to enjoy while visiting Brisbane City. For inspiration check out our Explore Brisbane section.

If it is playgrounds you are after, we have a handy Playgrounds Map, which includes nearby playgrounds like Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point, Riverside Green at South Bank and the many playgrounds at Roma Street Parklands. 

Cycling or walking to the City Botanic Gardens from South Bank

If you decide you want to cycle from South Bank into the City Botanic Gardens, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the nicely paved cycle and walkways that run throughout. As it is a shared space, you’ll have to keep an eye out for pedestrians, but if you visit on a quiet day, it is the perfect place to take the kids to build their confidence while riding in public and around obstacles.

For an experience that is both relaxing for you, and fun for the kids, you can also go for a walk along the boardwalk that follows the Brisbane River. The boardwalk winds along the shade of the mangroves, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the river and Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Getting to Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

The offical address of the City Botanic Gardens is 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City, though there are several access points. 

Multiple public transport options are available to assist in accessing the gardens. Head to Translink for details.  

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City