The Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens have something for everyone! Whether you’re a gardening guru or not. Free to visit, you can smell, touch and taste plants and flowers in the Sensory Garden, discover butterfly friendly plants in the Butterfly Garden and smell the roses and find out about all the varieties in the Rose Garden. You can also check out the Bush Tucker gardens for ideas on edible plants, play in the playground or grab a coffee in the cafe.
The Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens are located in Benowa, and are open every day of the year, from dawn to dusk. On arriving at the gardens, we usually park near the Sensory Gardens. This is near the entrance to the Gardens and is a great spot in walking distance of everything. I’d recommend looking at the park map before you go and working out the sections of the Gardens you want to visit. This will ensure you don’t add too much extra distance to your journey! Carparks near the playground are hot property, and usually fill up quickest on the weekend.
The Sensory Gardens are a variety of raised garden beds, located beside the Feature Lake. Entirely accessible, there are information signs and speakers at each of the garden beds, and visitors are encouraged to engage in the sensory experience. Kids can gently touch the plants and discover which ones are soft, prickly, rough and smooth; taste some of the herbs and edible plants; smell the flowers and fragrant greenery; and look at the different shapes and types of plants. I love that interacting with these garden beds is highly encouraged.
When you are finished at the Sensory Gardens, walk along the boardwalks around the Feature Lake over to the Gardens cafe. The boardwalks and pathways throughout the Gardens are perfect to use with scooters, bikes and kiddy trikes! With so many well established trees it’s a nice shady place to go for a walk or a ride with the kids. The cafe is run by The Friends of The Gardens, and while simple, serves everything you need – coffee, cakes, sandwiches, drinks and ice-creams. Grab a table on the deck overlooking the gardens and sit and watch all the birds flying around.
Next, head over to the children’s playground. This section of the Gardens is very popular on the weekend for children’s parties. There is ample space to set up shade marquees, toilets nearby and the playground. While the playground isn’t fenced, it is situated far enough away from the road and in the middle of a big field. There is plenty of room for kids to run and play without needing to watch for cars.
Further on from the playground is the entry to the Bushtucker Garden, Butterfly Garden and other points of interest. The circuit I have mentioned is an easy walk and not too far if you need to push a pram or carry a child. It was also ideal for little kids riding trikes without venturing too far into the gardens and away from the carpark. If you add on one of the other points of interest it will lengthen your walking time.
You can also check out the Gold Coast City Council website for a list of events that are on at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. There are always guest speakers, demonstrations or workshops, and a really great Naturally GC Little Nature Lovers program for the kids (aged 3-5 years)!
Need to know:
- Address: 230 Ashmore Road, Benowa
- Open: every day of the year, dawn to dusk
- Pram and wheelchair accessible
- Toilets available
- Cafe on site
