City Botanic Gardens Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Significant Tree Tour Returns to City Botanic Gardens

Did you know that the City Botanic Gardens will soon be hosting a guided walk showcasing 37 “significant trees” recognised by the National Trust for their cultural, environmental, or botanical value?

National Trust Walk Features Listed Trees

A free guided tour of the City Botanic Gardens will take place on 23 July, inviting participants to explore 37 trees recognised by the National Trust for their cultural, environmental, or botanical value. The tour, led by volunteer guides, highlights trees identified as nationally, state or regionally significant.

Longstanding Garden Site with Cultural Roots

Located on Alice Street in Brisbane City, the City Botanic Gardens is Queensland’s oldest public garden. It was formally declared a botanical reserve in 1855. Initially used for crop cultivation by the penal colony, the gardens grew significantly under the guidance of the first curator, Walter Hill. By the late 19th century, it had expanded to nearly 28 acres and featured a variety of native and exotic plantings, including bunya pines and fig trees that remain in place today.

In 1997, the site was officially listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, recognising it as a living collection of historical and botanical importance. The gardens now span 18 hectares along the Brisbane River. It also offers public facilities, educational programs, and self-guided or guided walks.

Event Details and Access

The 90-minute guided walk begins at the Information Kiosk near the Queensland University of Technology’s Main Drive. Designed for participants aged 16 and above, it includes moderate walking across uneven ground, gentle slopes, and stairs. During guide explanations, no seating is provided.

Attendees are advised to wear enclosed shoes and sun protection and bring a water bottle. The event is free. However, bookings are essential.

The walk is scheduled for Wednesday, 23 July, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. General Ticket sales open on 7 July. It will close at 12 p.m. on Monday, 21 July.

heritage trees Brisbane — *Photo Credit: BCC*

Facilities and Venue Information

In addition to guided tours, the gardens feature picnic areas, a children’s playground, an accessible café, and multiple walking routes. The Gardens Club café is located in the heritage-listed Curators Cottage. It operates daily and contributes profits to community causes.

The City Botanic Gardens are open 24 hours a day. However, specific facilities operate within scheduled hours. Customised group walks can also be arranged via BCC with six weeks’ notice.

Booking and Contact Information

Interested participants can book through Eventbrite. Contact BCC on (07) 3403 2535 for enquiries. Walks may be impacted by weather conditions or guide availability.

Published 20-June-2025

Oakman’s Lagoon to Undergo Major Rehabilitation for Improved Water Quality

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is set to undergo an important revitalisation with rehabilitation works at Oakman’s Lagoon, located near the Alice Street entrance.

Read: The Beaumont Beer Garden: Brisbane’s New Rooftop Destination for Australian Flavours

Starting in late April and expected to be completed by mid-July 2025 (weather permitting), the project aims to improve the lagoon’s water quality and functionality, enhancing its appeal for both the local community and visitors alike.

Key Works to Improve the Lagoon

Oakman’s Lagoon — Photo credit: Amin Kazemi/Google Maps

The rehabilitation project will involve several essential steps to restore the lagoon’s health and maintain its beauty for future generations. One of the first tasks is the gradual draining of the pond. The water will be carefully pumped out and used to irrigate the surrounding park vegetation and lawns, ensuring no water goes to waste.

Photo credit: Ruth Mavroleon/Google Maps

Once emptied, the lagoon will undergo significant cleaning and maintenance. A key focus will be removing built-up silt from the bottom of the lagoon, which will help improve water quality and ensure better flow. Crews will also inspect and repair any cracks in the lagoon’s structure, helping to preserve its integrity.

In addition, invasive tree roots that may be damaging the lagoon’s infrastructure will be trimmed back, further protecting the space from long-term damage. The project also includes installing a new sand bed and pond liners, which will provide better filtration and reduce maintenance in the future.

To enhance the lagoon’s aesthetic and ecological value, the aeration and fountain systems will be repaired and reinstalled. These systems play an important role in oxygenating the water, supporting aquatic life and contributing to a visually appealing environment.

Once all the necessary works have been completed, the lagoon will be refilled with fresh water, bringing the area back to its full splendour. Throughout the entire project, a fauna spotter and catcher will be on-site to safely relocate any aquatic life that may be impacted by the works.

What Visitors Can Expect

During the rehabilitation period, visitors to the Botanic Gardens may notice some temporary disruptions, including increased noise, dust, and truck movements. While the garden gates will remain open, an exclusion zone will be established around the lagoon and on Alice Street to ensure safety during the works.

Traffic control will be in place to guide visitors through the area, and detour signage will help navigate any affected routes. Construction machinery will temporarily occupy part of the Bus Stop 95A bus zone on Alice Street, although timetabled bus services will not be disrupted.

Read: Apartment With 1,000-Litre Fish Tank Sold in Fortitude Valley

Looking Ahead

These essential rehabilitation works are part of ongoing efforts to ensure the Oakman’s Lagoon remains a vital, thriving feature of the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. By enhancing its water quality and ecological function, the project aims to offer a more enjoyable experience for all who visit this cherished natural space.

For those with questions or concerns, further information is available by visiting Council’s website.

Published 18-April-2025

City Botanic Gardens To Transform Into Outdoor Gallery

Did you miss the Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside? On May 2023, the popular art festival will be returning to the City Botanic Gardens to transform the gardens into an outdoor gallery. Here’s what to look forward to in this free and fun event for all ages.

Read: Babylon Gardens: Eagle Street’s Newest Riverfront Spot

Artists and Artworks

This year will see ten large-scale installations, ranging from sculpture and projections to augmented reality and interactive creations.

The theme this year is ‘Tread Softly’ with a focus on sustainability, which considers a millennium of human influence by reflecting on our natural environments.

This year, look forward to the works of local artists such as Phoebe Paradise, Theatre of Thunder and Keemon Williams.

Photo credit: Museum of Brisbane/Facebook

Another artist to watch out for this year is Noa Haim, which will be the event’s first international artist. Ms Haim is the founder of Collective Paper Aesthetics, a studio that designs and develops audience engagement materials and STEAM education resources in the form of pop-up architecture and furnishing.

Her work, Light Lilies, was done in collaboration with fellow designer Adriann de Man. The artwork are interactive and modular structures inspired by the water lilies once in abundance in the lagoons surrounding the City Botanic Gardens.

Activities for all ages

Aside from attending an AfterDark art walk, complete the children’s discovery trail and enjoy performance. Each evening, there will be drinks at the outdoor bar and a selection of food trucks at the venue. You can also bring your own picnic blanket!

Meanwhile, those who want to become a Botanica 2023 volunteer, may submit their expression of interest through Brisbane City Council’s website.

Read: The Candlelight Club Brings an Exclusive Speakeasy Dining Experience to the Valley

Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside is an event presented by the Brisbane City Council and produced by Museum of Brisbane.

Mark your calendars

What	Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside
Where	Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
When	12-21 May 2023, 5:00 ‑10:00 p.m.

Published 20-March-2023

Brisbane Night Noodle Markets Return for 12 Drool-Worthy Nights in a New Venue

Did you know that a bigger and better Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will feature 12 drool-worthy nights at its new home in Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens?

After a two-year hiatus, Brisbane Night Noodle Markets will open on Wednesday, 15 June, until Sunday, 26 June, in a beautiful riverside venue filled with hawker-style stalls and pop-ups.

From slurpable noodles and steaming hot dumplings to melt-in-your-mouth bao and Insta-worthy desserts, locals and visitors will have the chance to feast on an array of sizzling, sweet and spicy meals and morsels from an exciting mix of popular local, national and interstate eateries at these days and times:

DAY	TIME
Monday – Wednesday	5:00pm – 9:00pm
Thursday – Friday	5:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday	4:00pm – 10:00pm
Sunday	5:00pm – 9:00pm

If you have dietary requirements, heaps of shops with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and Halal options will be on offer along with tasty, filling and healthy dishes.

Expect crowd favorites like Hoy Pinoy, Flying Noodles, May’s Malaysian Hawker, Wonderbao, Gelato Messina, and Twistto to make a comeback as well, alongside new stallholders and popular partner brands such as Dan Murphy’s Zero% Bar, Gage Roads Beer Garden, and Aperol Spritz Kombi Bar.

The Night Noodle Markets will be serving Australia’s popular non-alcoholic beer Heaps Normal, a range of beverages from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and Rekorderlig Cider.

Celebrity Cruises, on the other hand, will be giving people the chance to win a luxurious Japan cruise for two.

This year, the markets have partnered with Mr Yum and Citi for a truly unforgettable experience.

“The Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are one of Queensland’s most popular food events and Mr Yum will make the experience in 2022 even better by offering mobile ordering for drinks and food. Ordering through Mr Yum will help people skip multiple queues at once and we can’t wait to also welcome Brisbanites into the Mr Yum Garden on site in the City’s Botanic Gardens, where they can come to hang out and enjoy their meal,” Mr Yum CEO and Co-founder Kim Teo said.

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