Rockhampton Botanic Gardens

Rockhampton Botanic Gardens is a historic botanic garden located on a 33-hectare site west of the Athelstane Range.

It has been in use since opening in 1873 and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register for its historical, cultural, and aesthetic significance.

Before the gardens were established, the land was a Native Police barracks. The Spencer Street site was selected for its proximity to a constant water supply and scenic views from the Athelstane Range. Local botanists and the Queensland Acclimatisation Society contributed specimens and plant materials to the gardens.

The gardens played a role in distributing plant collections for educational purposes, particularly for Arbor Day trees. Recreational facilities such as a playground, zoo, bandstand, and kiosk were added during Richard Simmons's tenure as curator. The Hugo Lassen Fernery and a diving pontoon were also built.

The Rockhampton Botanic Gardens can be accessed via Spencer Street and Ann Street. It consists of several garden areas, including the lower gardens, upper gardens, outer gardens, war memorial gardens, and arid gardens. Amenities within the gardens include the Hugo Lassen Fernery, a cross-form structure with rock gardens, and a kiosk. A floral clock and the Rockhampton War Memorial are also significant features.

The gardens are historically, culturally, and aesthetically significant, showcasing Rockhampton's importance as a major urban center. They are part of a national and international network of botanic gardens and feature architectural elements such as the original curator's cottage and the kiosk. The gardens are popular among visitors and highly regarded by the community. The mature plantings from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries make it a desirable destination for bot