The Cairns Botanic Gardens comprise the Flecker Botanic Gardens, Centenary Lakes, Tank Arts Centre and the Mt Whitfield Conservation Reserve.

The Flecker Garden was established in 1886. It is a rainforest garden with cool and shady paths under a canopy of lush vegetation. There are also open grass areas with tall shade trees.

The Gardens Visitor Centre has exhibits, a shop and cafe. There are free guided tours at 10 am each Tuesday and Thursday. The Centre also has self-guided audio tours and iPods are available for hire.

Centenary Lakes are next to the Flecker Garden, with a rainforest boardwalk and both fresh and saltwater lakes.

The Mount Whitfield Conservation Reserve covers 300 hectares and rises up behind the Gardens. There are (steep) walking trails providing views of the city.

Tanks Art Centre is also in the 38 hectare Gardens Precinct and it is housed in converted WWII naval fuel tanks. See the Centre’s website for the latest exhibitions and events.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens are located in Edge Hill, four kilometres north of the city and adjacent to the turn-off for Cairns Airport. The Flecker Garden is open from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm daily.

Photo: brewbooks (CC BY_SA 2.0).