Queens Gardens, Townsville

Queens Gardens is a botanical garden in Townsville with formal beds, open lawns, and tropical trees positioned near the granite cliffs of Castle Hill. The space includes walking paths, gazebos, and planted areas arranged across the terrain.

The gardens were established in 1870 as a trial ground where settlers tested food and economic plants brought from Europe. This early purpose shaped the way the space was organized and remains visible in its layout.

The gardens display tropical plants that settlers once collected and studied, showing how 19th-century Europeans approached the local landscape. The formal layout reflects gardening ideas that were popular back then.

You can enter through several access points and find picnic areas, playgrounds, and shaded gazebos throughout the grounds. The walking paths are easy to navigate, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace.

A distinctive feature is the avenue of black bean trees, which were planted to showcase native species in the garden's collection. These tall trees create a memorable pathway through the grounds.