The Cairns Botanic Gardens is a tropical paradise, renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia. Safe to say it’s one of the best places to visit in Cairns and it’s free. I’ve listed it in my 101 Fun Things to Do in Cairns article because it’s an interesting place to visit if you love nature, beauty and wildlife. 

Visiting the Cairns Botanic Gardens can seem daunting if you don’t know what to do there or what to expect. It’s important to plan your visit to this attraction to enjoy your visit and to get the best experience from it. 

“there are many free things to see and do at the cairns botanic gardens.”

In this article, you will find 21 popular things to see and do at the Cairns Botanic Gardens as well as all the relevant details to plan a visit here. The list is extensive so choose the experiences and activities that resonate with you and your interests. Some activities are free while others are paid and need to be booked in advance. I’ve also included a lot of tips and advice so you can be well prepared for your visit to the Gardens and don’t get hit by nasty surprises.

So let’s get into it. Here are the top 21 popular things to see and do at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. 

TIPS & ADVICE 

1. Use mosquito repellent before visiting the Cairns Botanic Gardens as there are a lot of mosquitos in the area. Otherwise, cover yourself with long sleeves and long pants. 

2. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes if you plan to walk around the different sections of the Gardens.

Table of Contents

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1. 21 Things to See & Do at Cairns Botanic Gardens

2. Cairns Botanic Gardens Map

3. Opening Hours for Cairns Botanic Gardens

4. How to Get to Cairns Botanic Gardens?

5. Contact Details for Cairns Botanic Gardens

6. Cairns Botanic Gardens Photos

21 Things to See & Do at Cairns Botanic Gardens

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1. Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre

The best place to start your visit to the Cairns Botanic Gardens is to first check in to the Visitor Centre. The main reason for doing so is to collect all the maps and information brochures you’ll need to explore the Gardens. 

The A4 map of the Cairns Botanic Gardens Precinct and Flecker Garden & Gondwana Evolution Garden is a must if you want to get a good idea of where you need to go and what you want to see. 

The other good brochure to pick up is the Flecker Garden Self-Guided Walk. This walk is designed as a short introduction to some of the wonderful tropical plant species in the Flecker Garden. 

At the Visitor Centre, you will also find some friendly staff who can assist you with any questions you might have about the Gardens. 

If you’re into buying souvenirs and beautiful items to decorate your home, the Visitor Centre has some artistic and colourful items for sale.  

Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Printed Glass 

The Administrative Building opposite the Visitor Centre has a beautiful printed glass image at the bottom. It’s hard to miss if you visit the Visitor Centre so do look out for it.

Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Opening Hours 

The Visitor Centre is open daily except for Christmas Day. 

Monday to Friday – 8:30AM to 4:00PM
Weekends and Public Holidays – 9:30AM to 2:00PM

2. Cafe Tank Sixty-Four

Next door to the Visitor Centre is the busy and trendy Tank Sixty-Four cafe. Usually filled with people who have just finished their hike up one of the Arrows, the cafe has a nice, outdoor vibe to it. 

You can order a take-away or sit-down coffee before you start exploring the Gardens. Alternatively, this is a great little spot to have lunch after you’ve finished walking around the lovely Cairns Botanic Gardens. 

3. Gondwanan Evolution Garden

The first place you should explore is the Gondwanan Evolution Garden. Also known as the Gondwanan Heritage Garden, this garden traces the evolution of plants from the first photosynthetic bacteria to the modern flowering plants. 

Start the trail at the Interpretive shelter, learn how the modern continents evolved, examine the fossil record and trace the changes in plants from the beginning to the present day. Then follow the Zones and meet the survivors of this long journey. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Get a brochure from the Visitor’s Centre which has an Evolution Timeline and detailed information on each of the Zones.

4. Flecker Garden

Next up is Flecker Garden which is the most popular section of the Cairns Botanic Garden Precinct and rightly so. It houses some beautiful plants and flowers including the lovely Conservatory and the award-winning Cairns Botanic Gardens Cafe. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Get the brochure Flecker Garden Self-Guided Walk which shows you the trail to take through the garden and provides you with details of some of the wonderful tropical plant species to look out for along the walk.  

Aboriginal Plant Use Garden

The Aboriginal Plant Use Garden is an interesting space in Flecker Garden because it teaches you a lot about the lives of the Rainforest Aboriginals and how they survived on the plants that grew in the rainforests in this region. Most of the plants and trees that they found were either used for shelter, medicine, clothing, utensils, tools and weapons. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Get the brochure Aboriginal Plant Use Garden Self-Guided Walk. Along this walk you will see some of the plants used by the various groups of Rainforest Aboriginals who lived in the Cairns to Mareeba area. 

Rainforest Gully

The Rainforest Gully is situated north of the Conservatory and sits in a low-lying basin. You can reach this area by taking the steps or boardwalk that goes down to the stream below. It’s a nice little spot to take a walk surrounded by giant trees that reach for the sky and a rivulet that flows gently by.

5. Watkins Munro Martin Conservatory

Located in Flecker Garden opposite the Main Gate, the Conservatory was built in 2015 to safely house and exhibit some of the Gardens’ most valuable and tender plants and a collection of local butterflies.

The building itself is modelled on the Cairns Regional Council logo – the leaf of the Licuala Palm.

Although the Conservatory is small in comparison to some other Botanic Gardens around Australia, it makes up for its size with some beautiful tropical plant species as well as some beautiful butterflies. 

Inside the Conservatory you will find aroids, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, cycads, ferns, palms, orchids and tassel ferns.

In the centre is a little water lily pond filled with lilies and other water plants. If you look closely, you’ll also see many tadpoles swimming around in the water. 

BUTTERFLY HOUSE 

The Conservatory is a great place to spot the local butterflies on display. The four varieties of butterflies currently found in the Garden are 

• Common Eggfly
• Cruiser
• Red Lacewing
• Orchard

TIPS & ADVICE
Look closely and you might spot a butterfly resting on one of the plant leaves. While most of the time, you’ll see them flying around high up, occasionally they do come down to rest. 
If you want to attract a butterfly or two, wear the colours blue, yellow or red. You might get lucky and have one land on you.  

6. Cairns Botanic Gardens Cafe

Situated inside Flecker Garden is the award-winning Cafe Botanic. If you would like to sip a drink or enjoy a quiet lunch in the lush surroundings of the gardens, this is the place to be. 

From breakfasts to lunches and everything in between, you can be assured to get some delicious and healthy food and beverage options here. While they specialise in freshly-cooked waffles, you can also get a variety of baked goods as well as some naughty but tempting sweet options. The cafe is licensed so they have a long list of alcohol options too. 

The Cairns Botanic Gardens Cafe is open from 7.00am to 5:30pm 7 days a week.    

Cairns Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Cafe Menu

Check out the Cairns Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Cafe menu. 

7. Cairns Botanic Gardens Walks

One of the best ways to explore Cairns Botanic Gardens is to go on a walk. There are a number of walks in Flecker Gardens ranging from self-guided to guided and free to paid. Which one you choose depends on your purpose for the walk, day of the week, time of day and how much you’re willing to pay. 

Below is a list of all the guided walks, both free and paid within Flecker Garden. For self-guided walks, see the Flecker Garden section. 

8. FREE Cairns Botanic Gardens Guided Walk

Thanks to the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, you can take a free guided tour of the Cairns Botanic Gardens most days of the year. This casual tour will take you through the important sections of the Gardens including the Conservatory and Aboriginal Plant Use section. 

This is a great way to explore the Gardens as you learn about the tropical plants that live there and the myriad wildlife present. Best of all, it’s free and you don’t need to book in advance. Simply turn up on the day and meet your guide outside the Friends House in the Flecker Garden. 

Tours commence at 10am Monday to Friday most weeks of the year and run for 60-90 minutes. They are normally suspended during the Christmas and New Year period. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Check the Cairns Regional Council website to confirm before attending. 

9. FREE Birds Guided Walk

Another great free guided walk provided by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens is the bird watching walking tour. While the Cairns Botanic Gardens is known for its beautiful tropical plants, beautiful birds can also be found here if you know where to look. 

There are over 50 species of birds that visit the Gardens so the birds that you see will depend on the season and when you visit. If you’re a local you can make bird watching a repeat activity throughout the year and spot different species on each visit. 

Held every Tuesday at 7:30am, the bird watching tour runs for about two hours. No bookings are required so you can simply turn up in front of Friends House in the Flecker Garden and meet your guide there. 

For a list of the 50 species of birds you can expect to see, visit Cairns Botanic Gardens Birds of the Garden page. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Wear a sturdy pair of walking shoes and take a pair of binoculars for bird spotting.

10. FREE Cairns Botanic Gardens & Tanks Precinct Heritage Tour

Another great way to learn about the Cairns Botanic Gardens is to go on a Heritage tour which takes you on a visit to the Tanks Art Centre and Botanic Gardens precinct. On this tour, you’ll learn about the history and culture of the area. It’s a great tour for people wanting to dig a little deeper and know more about the two precincts. 

Tours are held on Thursday morning at 10am and no bookings are required. Simply turn up at the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre on the day.

TIPS & ADVICE
If you have a small or large group and would like to book for another day, you can do so by calling or attending the Visitor Centre. 

11. Let’s Go Buggin – Insect Photography Tour

If you love photography, especially nature and macro photography, then this tour is just the one for you. Let’s Go Buggin is an insect photography tour that takes you through Flecker Garden looking for little creatures to take close-up photos of.  

On this tour, you will

• See hidden rainforest critters with Bridgette Gower, an expert wildlife warrior
• Learn how to take amazing photographs
• Enjoy a guided tour in a beautiful, natural setting

From frogs to caterpillars, beetles to butterflies, this tour is a welcome addition for visitors to Cairns as well as something new for locals to experience. 

You have the choice of a morning walk or a night walk and which one you choose will determine what you see on the tour. 

MORNING WALK (8:30 to 10:30AM)

The morning walking tour through Cairns Botanic Gardens is the perfect way to spot a wide variety of insect species with the help of Bridgette Gower, an expert wildlife ambassador and photographer. You’ll be taking amazing photos like you’ve never done before.

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Beetles, Katydids, Dragonflies, Mantis, Jumping Spiders, Grasshoppers, Fungi and the amazing Lacebug are some of the insects that you will get to see on this tour.

NIGHT WALK (6:30 to 8:30PM)

The very popular night walking tour through Cairns Botanic Gardens is a great way to see insect species that you don’t get to see during the daylight hours.

Frogs, Crickets, Netcasting Spiders, Papuan Frogmouth Birds, Micro Bats, Striped Possums, Huntsman Spiders and Longicorn Beetles are some of the species you can expect to see on a night walk. You may also see Snakes and Echidnas. 

TIPS & ADVICE 
Cameras are available for hire during the tour and range from beginner to advanced models. Book as an additional option when booking your tour online. 

12. Let’s Go Shroomin – Mushroom Photography Tour

‘Let’s Go Shroomin’ is a mushroom photography tour that takes place during the Wet Season in Cairns. Tropical Far North Queensland is abundant in a huge variety of Mushrooms. This tour provides you with an opportunity to capture beautiful images of the fascinating fungi found in the Cairns Botanic Gardens. 

The tour takes place at 8:30am between the months of December and April. 

13. Movies in the Flecker Botanic Gardens 

Fancy watching a movie under the stars at the Cairns Botanic Gardens? Well you can from August to December thanks to Starry Night Cinemas, a non-for-profit film club based in Cairns. This is the best outdoor picnic cinema experience in Far North Queensland and a unique way to immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the Botanic Gardens.

To make the experience even better, bring along a blanket and picnic basket filled with your favourite treats. Or indulge in some delicious food options available at the venue. Let the ambience of the Gardens enhance your movie-watching experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information about movies being screened, head over to the Starry Night Cinemas’ Facebook page. 

14. Weddings at Cairns Botanic Gardens

If you choose to have your wedding ceremony set amongst the stunning tropical backdrop of the Cairns Botanic Gardens, it will be one you and your guests will never forget. The gardens’ green shaded lawns, spectacular tropical foliage and water features will add to your magical experience on the day. 

With gorgeous scenery throughout the gardens, you can be spoiled for choice. Depending on the size of your wedding, you can choose between a number of different ceremony locations including the Cairns Botanic Gardens Stage Lawn and Teak Lawn. Across the road is the lovely and intimate Fitzalan Garden, with Freshwater Lake and Saltwater Lake available for larger wedding celebrations. 

For wedding and ceremony booking enquiries and to download the ceremony brochure, visit Wedding at Cairns Botanic Gardens. 

15. Little Taccas Program at Cairns Botanic Gardens 

The Little Taccas program is suitable for kids aged under 5 years. Run by the Cairns Regional Council at the Botanic Gardens, it’s a perfect way to teach little kids about nature and gardening. The program features nature-based activities including art and craft, storytelling, sing-alongs and garden discovery walks.

The Little Taccas program is held fortnightly on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 

Numbers are capped at 15 children per session, with 5 stand-by positions so bookings are essential. 

TIPS & ADVICE 
This program is highly popular with locals and gets fully booked very quickly. If you want a spot, pencil in your calendar the opening date for registration for each term. 
For dates and bookings, head to Cairns Botanic Gardens Little Taccas. 

16. Little Sprouts Program at Cairns Botanic Gardens

The Little Sprouts program is suitable for kindy-aged children. It teaches kids about nature and gardening through fun learning activities. 

With a focus on outdoor activities and messy play, the Little Sprouts sessions feature gardening, craft activities, story time, singing, searching for bugs and exploring the education garden.

This fortnightly program is held at The Green Space in Edge Hill during the school term. 

Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Siblings are welcome to attend under supervision.

Sessions are limited to 10 children, with 5 stand-by positions. 

TIPS & ADVICE 
Places fill quickly so book early to ensure a place. 
For dates and bookings, head to Cairns Botanic Gardens Little Sprouts. 

17. Fitzalan Garden

Located across the road from Flecker Garden and the Visitor’s Centre, Fitzalan Garden was named after its first caretaker, Mr Eugene Fitzalan. It’s a small but lovely section of the wider Cairns Botanic Garden Precinct. 

Replete with nooks and crannies, it’s a perfect spot for couples and those looking for some alone time. The Fitzalan Creek runs through this section of the garden so you can see the creek flowing past as you walk along the path. 

The Fitzalan Garden is also one of the wedding venues in the Cairns Botanic Garden Precinct.

18. Bamboo Collection

The Bamboo Collection across the road from the Tanks Art Centre is a small but beautiful collection of tropical bamboo that is clumping in nature. It’s a short walk from the road and the path leads you to a small section of clumping bamboo thickets that are dotted along the pathway to your left. 

An interpretative board gives you some background information about the different varieties of bamboo and its importance in nature.

19. Mount Whitfield Conservation Park

Mount Whitfield Conservation Park is very popular with the locals who flock here everyday to exercise, walk, hike and run up and down the four Arrow walking tracks. 

Walking or hiking one of the Arrow walking tracks is a great way to see the tropical vegetation native to Cairns as well as some good views from the top of Mount Whitfield.

RED ARROW – GRADE 3

YELLOW ARROW – GRADE 3

BLUE ARROW – GRADE 4

GREEN ARROW – GRADE 4

The most popular of the four walking tracks in Mount Whitfield Conservation Park is the Red Arrow. This is the shortest and steepest of the walking tracks which makes it perfect for training and exercise. 

TIPS & ADVICE
If you’re a visitor to Cairns, the best experience would be to walk the Red Arrow walking track which takes you to a beautiful lookout at the top. The lookout faces the Cairns Airport runway so you can sit and watch the planes land and take off while recovering from your hike up the steep steps. 

20. Tanks Art Centre

The Tanks Art Centre is a very interesting space inside the Cairns Botanic Gardens Precinct. Take the time to explore this wonderful section of the Gardens for its history, arts and cultural importance in Cairns. 

The Tanks Art Centre has a long and interesting past. As well as its cultural significance to Aboriginal people, its grounds were part of the first public gardens in the early days of Cairns. During World War II it accommodated a major defence installation and, more recently, has been transformed into a vibrant community arts facility. 

Enjoy the natural surroundings whilst taking in the unique history. Experience live performances, art exhibitions, market days, guided tours, and many other activities on offer. 

While most events are paid, there are some free art exhibitions usually housed in Tank 4.  

TIPS & ADVICE
Get the brochure Tanks Art Centre Self-Guided Walk from the Visitor Centre and submerge yourself into the history, art and culture of this area. 
Alternatively, you can take the free guided tour – Cairns Botanic Gardens & Tanks Precinct Heritage Tour.

21. Rainforest Boardwalk

The Rainforest Boardwalk is a 400 metres walkway that connects the two sections of the Cairns Botanic Gardens – the areas around Collins Avenue and Greenslopes Street. It’s a nice and pleasant walk through a lovely section of rainforest. The elevated boardwalk is easy to walk along so you can enjoy the beautiful setting around you. 

TIPS & ADVICE
Once you’ve explored the areas around the Visitor Centre and Collins Avenue, head along the Rainforest Boardwalk to explore the Cairns Botanic Garden section along Greenslopes Street. These sections are listed below.

Cairns Botanic Gardens Map

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Opening Hours for Cairns Botanic Gardens

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Cairns Botanic Gardens are open 24 hours daily with the exception of

Flecker Garden – 7:30AM to 5:30PM daily, and

Visitor Centre – Weekdays 8:30AM to 4:00PM 
………………………..Weekends 8:30AM to 1:00PM

How to Get to Cairns Botanic Gardens?

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The main section of the Cairns Botanic Gardens is situated on Collins Avenue just 4 kilometres north of Cairns City via Sheridan Street. 

There are three ways you can get to Cairns Botanic Gardens – by car, bus or bicycle. 

BY CAR 

The easiest way to get to Cairns Botanic Gardens is to drive there. 

There are plenty of free parking spots available in front of the Cairns Botanic Gardens. You can park on both sides of Collins Avenue. Parking is also available on McCormack Street and Greenslopes Street. 

BY BUS

If you’re a visitor and don’t have a rental car or campervan, you can take a bus to the Gardens. 

Bus to Cairns Botanic Gardens

Bus No 131 will take you from Cairns City Centre to Cairns Botanic Gardens. There is a bus stop (No 750437) just outside the entrance to Flecker Garden. 

For more information on the bus from Cairns City to Botanic Gardens, see Translink.

BY BICYCLE

You can be eco-friendly and ride your bike to the Gardens. Bike racks are located near the Flecker Garden main entrance and adjacent to the Visitor Centre.

Contact Details for Cairns Botanic Gardens

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Visitor Centre

Phone – 07 4032 6650

Email – gardens@cairns.qld.gov.au

Cairns Botanic Gardens Photos  

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Check out my entire collection of Cairns Botanic Gardens Photos.

Conclusion

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As a nature lover, I’m drawn to the Cairns Botanic Gardens for its beautiful tropical vegetation as well as the macro life that lives within it. It’s a great place to take a walk through the tall trees and foliage in the peaceful setting of the Gardens. Best of all, it’s local and it’s free so I can go whenever I feel like it and as many times as I like. 

If you’re a tourist visiting Cairns, the Cairns Botanic Gardens should be on your list of things to do in Cairns especially if you’re a nature lover. There are not many gardens in Australia that specialise in tropical vegetation which is very unique to this landscape. 

I love to hear from my readers so please leave your comments below. Have you been to the Cairns Botanic Gardens? Are you local or a tourist visiting Cairns? What did you love most about this attraction?