Queens Gardens are the oldest botanic gardens and heritage-listed in Townsville. Queens Gardens are located at the base of the massive pink granite monolithic of Castle Hill. The gardens offer a quiet and cool place for a walk and to observe the many plants, trees, flowers and birds.
Queens Gardens and in the background is the monolithic pink granite Castle Hill. Photo by Author.
The gardens feature a diverse array of plants and interesting collections from around the world.The gardens are subdivided into special areas dedicated to rainforest, succulents, cactus, palms, frangipani and Moreton Bay Figs.
Queens Gardens were established in 1870 as part of the Acclimatisation Garden. At the times of the colonisation, edible plants were trialled in the gardens for potential food for the settlement.
Queens Gardens are about 151 years old. Photo by Author.
.
More than 40 ha of land was dedicated to planting a variety of exotic species, including cocoa, African oil palms and mangoes. It is believed the mango trees were originally from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India.
Luscious vegetation. Photo by Author.
Today the gardens are a lush green oasis set against the dramatic pink granite cliffs of Castle Hill and offer a quiet cool retreat amidst the busy area in proximity to The Strand.
African Oil Palm, Elaeis guineensi- Arecaceae; West and Central Africa. Photo by Author.
Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera, Arecaceae, North Africa, Middle East. Photo by Author.
There are many trails in Queens Gardens, taking the visitors to all the variety of plants and trees. Photo by Author.
This compact representation of a tropical rainforest hosts a spreading canopy of Strangler Fig (Ficus virens var. virens), Blue Quandong (Elaeocarpus angustifolius), Milky Pine (Alstonia scholaris) and Raintree (Samanea saman).
Moreton Fig Tree sending all the roots onto the ground. Photo by Author.
An incredible maze of branches and roots. Photo by Author.
There is also an aviary inside the Gardens hosting several species of birds.
The bird aviary has been an important attraction in the area since the 1930's. Photo by Author.
Aviary with different species of birds. Photo by Author.
You can learn how to recognise the plants which bear food for the different species of birds.
There are Sulphur crested Cockatoos, Cockatiel, Rainbow Lorikeet, Long billed Corella and a few other birds. Photo by Author.
The floral emblem of Queens Gardens is represented by a collection of Frangipani (Plumeria), species that occur naturally in the wild. Frangipani is perfect for the dry tropical climate of Townsville and it is a plant that goes back to colonial heritage.
The shade of the trees provide some respite from the heat of Townsville. Photo by Author.
Succulent flowers. Photo by Author.
Succulent flowers. Photo by Author.
Flowers. Photo by Author.
It is easy to spot the leaves in the tree arranged by the green ants to make the nests. These formidable insects work from the outside and the inside to weave the leaf together to make the nests for the colony.
Colonies of green ants in the tree. Photo by Author.
Queens Gardens c 1890. Photo fromhttps://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/queens.html#equipment
Queens Gardens in c 1916. Photo fromhttps://www.soe-townsville.org/parks/queens.html#equipment
Queens Gardens are open seven days a week between sunrise and sunset all year.
For more information about Queens Gardens, contact Parks Services, Townsville City Council.
Address
15 Paxton St, North Ward QLD 4810
Parking is available in all the streets which bound the site.
More related article by the Author
Little Crystal Creek and Little Crystal Creek Bridge, Paluma Area
www.weekendnotes.com/little-crystal-creek
McClellands Lookout, Cloudy Creek Track, Witt's Lookout, Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/paluma-range-national-park-townsville
A Journey in Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/a-journey-to-paluma-village
Andree Griffin Hike, Paluma Village
www.weekendnotes.com/andree-griffin-hike-paluma-village
Birthday Creek Falls Hike, Paluma National Parkhttps://www.weekendnotes.com/birthday-creek-falls-hike-paluma-national-park/
Jourama Falls Trail, Paluma National Park
www.weekendnotes.com/jourama-falls-trail-paluma-national-park
Wallaman Falls, Girringun National Park
www.weekendnotes.com/wallaman-falls-girringun-national-park
TYTO Wetlands
www.weekendnotes.com/tyto-wetlands
JK's Delicatessen: Italian Deli and Cafe
www.weekendnotes.com/jks-delicatessen-ingham
Mercer Lane Mosaic
www.weekendnotes.com/mercer-lane-ingham
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_Gardens,_Townsville
www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25e707b935fbe730dd626-queens-gardens.html
www.soe-townsville.org/parks/queens.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango
www.thalabeach.com.au/green-ants-australia
