Visit us at the Botanic Gardens
Visitor Information
Entry to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens is FREE and open 7 days a week.
Opening hours are 5.30 am to 6.45 pm September to April and 6.30 am to 6 pm May to August.
The Gardens are located at 6 Mt Perry Road, North Bundaberg, Queensland.
The Botanic Gardens cover over 27 hectares of land and feature a variety of over 10,000 trees and shrubs.
Plant collections include
- Chinese Garden
- Japanese Garden
- Rare Fruit Tree Orchard
- Bromeliad Garden
- Fern Garden
- Australian Rainforest
- Prehistoric Garden
- Woodworkers Guild
- Friendship Grove
- Bamboo
- Hinkler Garden
- Palm Grove
- Sclerophyll Woodland
- Wallum Walk
At the heart of the Botanic Gardens are the magnificent lakes which create a diverse habitat attracting up to 114 species of birds.
The Gardens also feature a wedding chapel, shaded picnic areas, boardwalks, an operating steam train and a children’s playground.
Plants
Please do not remove any plants from the Gardens, if you are interested to buy or grow a plant please contact Bundaberg Regional Council on 1300 883 699 and ask to speak to the Botanic Gardens and we will help you as best we can.
Interactive map
For first time visitors a great way to explore the Gardens and tourist attractions from the comfort of your home is by looking through our interactive map.
Brochure and map
The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens brochure provides you with information about each of the plant collections found in the Gardens. Included on the back of the brochure you will find a map which provides you with information on;
- Information on the plant collections
- Wildlife viewing platforms
- Distance around the lakes
- Nature Playground
- Parking
- Toilets
- Bus stop
- BBQ facilites
- Australian Sugar Cane Railway
- Café 1928
- Tourist attractions including Hinkler House and memorial, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Fairymead House, Figtree Chapel
Botanic Gardens Brochure and Map
Accessibility
Accessible toilet facilities are located next to the Café 1928.
Pathways are a combination of sealed and unsealed.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the Gardens.
Nature Playground
Kids will love the nature themed award winning adventure playground that has 17 play structures including swings, a carousel, two large play forts and a smaller fort suited to toddlers.
There are obstacles for the kids to navigate, a suspended log walk and climbing zone which features a challenging range of net and timber based climbing structures.
In addition to an all abilities swing and carousel, one of the large play forts has wheelchair accessibility.
The playground includes shelters, seating and a BBQ.
Austek were awarded the Parks and Leisure Queensland Playspace Award in 2019 for the creation of an innovative and considered space that complimented its natural surrounds and specifically designed to incorporate inclusivity and accessibility.
Pets
Pets are welcome, but please, for the safety and comfort of other visitors and our wildlife, keep them on a leash and clean up after them.
Duck feeding
Many people are not aware that feeding ducks or any native wildlife bread causes illness and has no nutritional value. Please enjoy watching the wildlife. Alternatively you can purchase duck pellets at Café 1928, or bring small quantities of lettuce, peas, corn, oats or seeds.
Getting to the Botanic Gardens
The Bundaberg Botanic Gardens are located in North Bundaberg, approximately 2.7km, or a six minute drive from the Bundaberg Central Business District.
There are three entrances into the Gardens
- Mount Perry Road
- Thornhill Street
- Young Street
Car
Free parking is available in the Gardens.
Travelling from the South from the Bruce Highway turn off to Bundaberg at Apple Tree Creek. In Bundaberg, turn left past the Bundaberg Hospital onto the Tallon Bridge. Turn left at the roundabout and take the exit on the left to the Gardens.
Traveling from the North from the Bruce Highway turn off to Bundaberg at Gin Gin. Turn into the Botanic Gardens on the corner of Mount Perry Road and Young Street just past the petrol station.
Caravans
Free parking is available for caravans on Young Street.
Bus
Bus service route 6A stops at the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens 7 days a week. For the latest timetable, visit qconnect.
Coach
Greyhound Australia operate daily from both north and south into Bundaberg with taxi connections available to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Coach parking is available outside the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and next to Café 1928.
Rail
Queensland Rail offers a number of rail travel options in and out of Bundaberg with taxi connections available to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Air
Regular services fly in and out of Bundaberg Airport, connecting to Brisbane, with taxi connections available to the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens.
Venue Hire
The Gardens are a beautiful location to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, proms and outdoor functions.
Private functions can be held at a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces.
To enquire about booking the Rotunda or Fairymead House, please contact the Hinkler Hall of Aviation on (07) 4130 4400.
To ask about bookings in other areas of the Botanic Gardens, please phone Venues and Facilities at Bundaberg Regional Council on 1300 883 699.
Visitor Attractions
Hinkler Hall of Aviation
The Hinkler Hall of Aviation celebrates the life and achievements of Australian pioneer aviator, Bert Hinkler. Become part of this amazing story with interactive exhibits, flight simulators, distinctive glide simulators, movie theatrettes, aircraft and vintage motor vehicle displays, and interesting museum artefacts right at your fingertips, including Hinkler House, Bert’s original English home.
View opening hours and entry fees here
Phone: (07) 4130 4400
Email: hinklerhall@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
Fairymead House
Be enchanted by Indian bungalow architecture as you explore this grand plantation house and imagine life on a sugar cane plantation back in the late 1800s.
Share in the history of the pioneer sugar families from Bundaberg, uncover the enormous contribution by the South Sea Islander community and discover the process of producing sugar, from cane to crystal. Who knew sugar could be so much fun?
View opening hours and entry fees here
Phone: (07) 4130 4400
Email: fairymeadhouse@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
Bundaberg and District Historical Museum
The Bundaberg & District Historical Museum ensures the preservation and collection of the Bundaberg Region's history for the benefit of the entire community. Enjoy a memorable outing for all the family, friends and visitors as you explore the good ol’ days with authentic era settings, photos, and numerous items of memorabilia and artefacts on display. An archival and photographic service is available on Tuesday and Wednesdays to research Bundaberg’s cultural heritage (fees apply and bookings are preferred).
View opening hours and entry fees here
Phone: (07) 4152 0101
Email: bberghistorymuseum@bigpond.com
Café 1928
Sit back and take in the sub-tropical surrounds of the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens as you enjoy your favourite espresso - brewed to perfection and accompanied by some delights that will tempt every palate. Enjoy a tasty and nutritious lunch, made from the freshest local ingredients, or chill out on the leather lounges and take in the ambience of a vibrant café experience, spending a lazy afternoon enjoying quality time with your favourite people.
View opening hours and menu here
Phone: (07) 4153 1928
Email: info@cafe1928.com.au
Australian Sugarcane Railway Train
An ideal way to view the gardens, lakes and wildlife is riding in a steam or diesel train carriage hauled by the authentic cane locos once used in the sugar industry. The Australian Sugar Cane Railway takens you on a 2km journey through the gardens and is disability & wheelchair friendly.
The Australian Sugar Cane Railway aims to restore, maintain and operate locomotives which were used to haul sugar cane within the Bundaberg Region, providing a glimpse back in time to the machinery used by the pioneering families of the Bundaberg Region.
Days and times of operation are subject to change.
Tickets are available for purchase from the ticket window at the station platform within the gardens. Please note, they do not have EFTPOS facilities & accept cash only.
View running times and ticket prices here
Phone: (07) 4152 6609
Email: info@bundabergcanetrains.org.au