Main sign at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens.

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens is a tranquil area of nature not too far from the busy Gallery Walk in Mount Tamborine. It’s a quiet spot, hidden away at the end of a residential street, so if you’re looking to escape the crowds this would be a perfect choice.

Exploring Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

Established in 1983, the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens are larger than they first appear with lots to explore.

To assist your visit, download the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens app on either Android or Apple. The app contains a handy map, detailed information, activities and even an audio tour!

Start your day off at the Piccabeen Lawn overlooking the main lake with its pretty fountain and stone bridge – a beautiful spot to sit and take in the views. From here there are numerous paths that wind through the gardens, taking you to different areas of the park.

Native and tropical plants are found throughout, as well as beautiful flowers such as magnolias, camellias and roses. Every corner you turn you’ll find something new to discover, from flower statues to totem poles and giant dragonflies.

It is worth noting, ball games and bikes are not permitted in the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens.

Walking Trails at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

The highlight for the kids at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens will be Sooty Owl’s Creekside Trail, a discovery walk guarded by wooden owl statues.

The delightful trail leads through the forest and along the creek where there are lots of hidden treasures for the kids to find including a water wheel, bridges, wind pipes, Sooty Owl’s B&B, and even a little theatre stage where your kids will love to put on a show for you to watch!

Along the way there are interpretive signs telling you more about the forest including the animals that live there. This Creekside Trail will be very popular with smaller kids, with plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and learning more about the woods.

Other walking trails in the Gardens include the Rainforest Walk and the White Flower Walk, which as the name suggests, is often brimming with white flowers.

There is open water throughout the gardens, especially around the main lake, so be sure to watch younger children around the water’s edge.

Highlights of Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

The peaceful Japanese Gardens are a highlight at these Botanic Gardens, with ponds, waterfalls, a bridge and a pavilion.

The boardwalk that leads through the grove of very tall cedar trees at Palm Grove will be another favourite.

Other specialised gardens to explore include:

Rose Garden
Orchid House
Magnolia Garden
Perennial Garden
Rhododendron Garden
Camellia Garden
Hydrangea Garden
Bromeliad Garden

Bring a picnic blanket and find a shady spot under the trees, or make use of one of the many benches and rotundas dotted throughout the gardens. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a spot of lunch with the sounds of nature in the background, from the water flowing through the creek to the birds chirping and kookaburras cackling,

Imagination Factor at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

While there are no playgrounds in the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens, there is plenty of nature to enjoy. Everything is miniature sized, including the little bridges that crisscross over the streams, which the kids will enjoy.

Wildlife is also abundant. So bring your binoculars and keep your eyes open for the kookaburras that like to sit on the signs! You could even bring along a sketch pad and draw what you see – a pretty flower, a bird in a tree, a lizard or the lake!

If you have downloaded the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens App, in the activities section you will find a fun ‘I Spy’ game. While you are exploring the gardens the kids can check off a variety of items which can be found in the gardens – sculptures, wildlife, signs, bridges and more.

Visiting the Gardens is also a great opportunity to discuss the environment with your children, how we can best look after and how lucky we are to have access to such picturesque places in our country.

Accessibility at Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens

The majority of paths at the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens are flat and accessible with prams and wheelchairs, though there are some stairs in Sooty Owl’s Creekside Trail, so leave your pram outside the trail. Climbing up to Rainforest Walk also involves lots of uneven steps.

Several seating options are dotted around the Gardens, with some undercover and others out in the open. There are NO BBQ facilities or rubbish bins, so please be mindful of this when visiting and take your rubbish home with you.

Toilets are available onsite, including an accessible toilet for those requiring it. Accessible parking bays are included in the parking area for visiting guests, as is a small bus parking space.

Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens Features

Botanic Gardens
Entry is free, donations welcome
Multiple walking trails
Picnic tables (No BBQ’s or bins)
Accessible toilets
Plant sales (check website for days)
Onsite parking

Please note dogs are NOT permitted within the Gardens.

The Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens are open seven days a week during daylight hours. Admission is free, though donations are warmly accepted.

While You Are in the Area

There is no shortage of fun, family-friendly activities in Mount Tamborine, so if you have time explore the area further.

Visit the unique and truly amazing glow worms, or perhaps let the kids experience what it is like to operate a digger at Dig IT, the mini excavator park. Of course, the amazing Thunderbird Park, is full of awesome activities to enjoy, from mini golf, thunderegg fossicking, laser skirmish, treetop challenge and more. You can even stay there!