Parks of Townsville |
Location: Gulliver Street, Mundingburra
Anderson Park is an arboretum containing fine specimens of tropical tree ferns, palms and pandanus. Of note is an area devoted to tropical fruit and economic plants. A representative collection of Cape York Peninsula rainforest plants and examples of North East Queensland plants are also to be found.
Anderson Park is a sleeping beauty amongst Townsville's numerous natural attractions.
With substantial botanic credentials, including the Cape York Peninsula Collection one of the world's largest collections of pandanus, everyday visitors as well as botanical enthusiasts can enjoy Anderson Park's diverse range of tropical attractions.
The giant expanses of the 20 hectare park belie the care and consideration which is taken in the development of individual species for the public's enjoyment.
The park was first developed in the early 1930's and, today, is an innovative botanic accomplishment and wonderful public asset.
The original land for Anderson Park was acquired from the Water and Electricity Supply Department in 1929. Much of the land is now Mundingburra State School, (including the original Thuringowa well), road reserve, and the Jubilee Bowls Club. Most of the existing Park was acquired between 1956 and 1963 as land acquisitions.
The Park was named in appreciation of the work of William Anderson (1845 - 1935), City of Townsville's first Curator of Parks (1878 - 1934). The present design was prepared in 1962 by Alan Wilson, a Landscape Architect and Superintendent of Parks.
The Plant collection was originally laid out in Taxonomic groupings.
The Queensland Rainforest Section was developed as a joint project between the 'Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch' and the Parks Department (1989 - 1991).
The land on which Anderson Park now resides once contained market gardens, sugar cane fields and a well supplying Townsville's earliest water reticulation scheme.
Land for Anderson Park was officially acquired from the Water and Electricity Supply Department in 1929.
In 1932, the Park was officially re-named after William Anderson, the Council's first Curator of Parks (from 1878 – 1934). And in the same year the earliest recorded plantings occurred; these Raintree, Eucalyptus and Melaleuca trees now dominate the landscape.
Anderson Park's design, originally laid out in taxonomic groupings, was prepared in 1962 by Alan Wilson, Superintendent of Parks (from 1959 – 1969).
Today Anderson Park is an arboretum (focuses on growing trees) containing fine specimens of tropical tree, palms and pandanus. Of note is an area devoted to tropical fruit and economic plants.
|
Areas of Note |
|
| Code | Area |
| E | Orchard |
| Q | Queensland Rainforest Section |
| Y | Cape York Section |
| P | Palm Lawn |
| F | Ficus Lawn |
| L | Lotus Ponds |
| C | Tropical Conifers |
| D | Pandanus Collection |
| R | Rockery |
Barefoot in the Park
| Rubbish bins | 4 |
| Park Seats | 10 |
| Picnic Tables | 4 |
| Drinking Fountain | 4 |
Anderson Park is accessible by vehicle travelling south along Gulliver Street and by foot off Fulham Road, Balls Lane, Gulliver and Wellington Street. There are car parking spaces provided within the grounds around the circuit roadway. Vehicles are not permitted to park on the lawn. Public Conveniences are only open on the weekends; unless prior arrangements are made.
Seven days a week, all year, sunrise to sunset.
For more information about Anderson Park, contact Parks Services, Townsville City Council.
| BOOKINGS FOR ALL PARKLANDS WITHIN TOWNSVILLE FOR PRIVATE EVENTS, CEREMONIES, AND/OR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL’S PARKS SERVICES STRAND OFFICE ON 4772 5487. |
:::
