Botanic Gardens
Townsville has three unique botanic gardens including Anderson Gardens, Palmetum and Queens Gardens.
Each garden features a diverse array of plants and wildlife and interesting collections from around the world. Retreat to the gardens for a relaxing walk or bike ride and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Only Anderson Gardens is open to vehicles, and all three gardens have walking and cycling trails. For more information on the gardens, see the brochure links below.
Learn more about bird friendly fruits and nectar plants for our tropical bird species with our helpful fact sheets:
Request for foliage from our botanic gardens
Townsville City Council recognises that our community at times may want to request the use of plants and other natural materials from Townsville’s local parks and botanic spaces for cultural, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes. To assist in supporting the local community, the Parks and Open Space team welcomes requests for foliage or items from plants from within Council Parks and Open Space that have a link to cultural, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes.
Friends of the Botanics Pilot Program
The Friends of Botanics pilot program invites community members to volunteer and work alongside our Council staff to beautify our gardens and learn about what is involved in maintaining our Palmetum and Dry Tropics Nursery.
This program aims to promote community involvement and support for our local botanic gardens and encourage participation in activities that enhance the botanical experience,
We are currently seeking volunteers for the Palmetum.
If you would like to put forward your expression of interest to volunteer, please complete form linked below:
Anderson Gardens
Located in Mundingburra, Townsville, between Gulliver Street, Fulham Road, Balls Lane, and Wellington Street (map).
- Vehicle entry point: Gulliver Street, Pimlico.
- Walking/cycling entry points: Gulliver Street, Balls Lane, and Wellington Street, Mundingburra.
Anderson Gardens is the largest botanic garden in Townsville. Covering 25 hectares, the gardens include fine specimens of tropical trees and palms, grand avenues and the World Cycad Collection. Originally planted as an arboretum, the collections are developing with a strong emphasis on native and dry tropical plants.
With substantial botanic credentials, including the Cape York Peninsula Collection, one of the world's largest collections of Pandanus and the Tropical Orchard, everyday visitors as well as botanical enthusiasts can enjoy the diverse range of flora in Anderson Gardens. Initiated in the early 1930's, the garden today is an innovative botanic accomplishment and a wonderful public asset.
Anderson Gardens are open to the public between sunrise and sunset (about 6am to 6pm). Gates will be closed at other times.
- Anderson Gardens brochure (PDF, 1017.0 KB)
Anderson Gardens Conservatory
The Anderson Gardens Conservatory is open every Tuesday from 7:30am to 2:30pm, or by appointment, and provides a free, all ages, all abilities experience. Opened in 1969, it was designed to exhibit a range of rare plant specimens originating from the humid tropics.
It displays a wide range of flora including pitcher plants, ant plants, bromeliads, orchids, flowering annuals and much more. Garden beds are presented on either a family or environmental basis.
The eastern garden beds (from the left-hand side of the entrance) displays palms, Queensland Rainforest plants, tropical understory species, orchids, ant plants, bonsai, nepenthes, the three subfamilies of bromeliads, aroids and flowering annuals.
The western bed features predominantly pandans and cycads. Located inside Anderson Botanic Gardens, the Conservatory is accessible from the Gulliver St entrance to the Gardens.
For all appointments, please contact Customer Service.
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Palmetum
Located in Douglas, Townsville, between University Road, Marabou Drive, and Yolanda Drive (map).
- Main entrance: University Road, Douglas.
The Palmetum is a 17 hectare botanic garden displaying one of the largest and most diverse public collections of palms in the world. A 1998 Bicentennial Project, this internationally recognised attraction was supported and planned by the Townsville community and organised through Townsville City Council's Parks Services.
The extensive palm collection displayed in a variety of habitats is the main feature of the gardens; Pandanaceae and cacti and succulents are also well represented. Tumbetin Lodge at the main entrance is an example of local heritage architecture and contains a café and visitor facilities. The Ross River Bikeway runs between the gardens and the river.
Open to the public between sunrise and sunset (about 6am to 6pm). Gates will be closed at other times.
- Palmetum brochure (PDF, 1.3 MB)
Queens Gardens
Located in North Ward, Townsville, between Gregory Street, Warburton Street, Paxton Street and Kennedy Street (map).
- Entry points: Paxton Street and Gregory Street, North Ward.
Initiated in 1870, Queens Gardens is the oldest Botanic Garden in Townsville and is heritage listed. Now covering 4 hectares, reduced from an original 40Ha, it is considered a fine example of a tropical colonial garden of that era. Originally established as a trial acclimatisation garden for European settlement, in which potential food and economic plants were trialled during the era of colonisation.
Today the gardens are a lush green oasis set against the dramatic pink granite cliffs of Castle Hill, and offer a quiet cool retreat from the nearby city centre. The emphasis of the current plant collection is on colonial ornamental plants with colourful, attractive flowers, foliage or fruit.
Townsville residents use its luxuriant gardens for leisure and recreation, while Townsville City Council and community groups utilise its green splendour to stage a variety of special events.
Open to the public between sunrise and sunset (about 6am to 6pm). Gates will be closed at other times.
- Queens Gardens brochure (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Queens Gardens Cultural Heritage Conservation Management Plan (PDF, 13.7 MB)
Percival Pacific Andrews Aviary
The Percival Pacific Andrews Aviary is located in Queens Gardens, near the Kennedy Lane entrance. It was first established around 1938 and has since received multiple upgrades. Its latest upgrade was in February 2020, when it was renamed in honour of Percival Pacific Andrews, who was the curator at Queens Gardens for 24 years - between 1934 and 1958.
It is home to a large variety of native Australian birds including cockatoos, lorikeets, finches and doves. The birds are cared for daily by the dedicated team of rangers at Hands on Wildlife.
The aviary is free to visit and open to the public 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.
Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens
Located at 86 Thuringowa Dr, Kirwan, Townsville (map).
- Main entrance point: Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central.
Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens, whilst not run as a botanic garden it is a pleasure garden maintained to the same high standards and featuring beautiful locations for special events. Originally conceived as a Bicentennial project, Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens is set on about 5 hectares. The gardens are composed of a wide range of native and exotic trees, shrubs and palms, which are situated amongst large lawn areas and paved pathways.
Townsville Botanic Gardens Masterplan 2020-2030
Townsville City Council engaged Tract Consultants to develop a 10 year Masterplan for Townsville’s three botanic gardens: Queens Gardens, Anderson Gardens and the Palmetum. Contributed to by the Townsville community through two rounds of public consultation, the final Townsville Botanic Gardens Masterplan 2020-2030 provides council with direction for the future enhancement and investment in three of Townsville’s most significant open spaces. The delivery of the recommendations within the Masterplan will be considered during council’s yearly Capital Budget deliberation process and as funding opportunities arise.
- Townsville Botanic Gardens Masterplan 2020-2030 (PDF, 14.1 MB)
