Pho<strong>to</strong> Megan MacKinnon PARKS & GARDENS Queens Gardens ANDERSON PARK BOTANIC GARDENS Where: Gulliver Street, Pimlico (vehicle access) Fulham Road, Balls Lane, Gulliver <strong>and</strong> Welling<strong>to</strong>n Streets (pedestrian access) Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, internal car parking, 10,000 step circuit. Anderson Gardens is the largest botanic garden in Townsville covering 25 hectares. Centrally located in Mundingburra, the garden contains fine specimens of tropical trees, palms <strong>and</strong> p<strong>and</strong>anus. The World Cycad Garden, Gr<strong>and</strong> Avenues <strong>and</strong> Tropical Orchard are of particular note. A representative collection of Cape York Peninsula rainforest specimens are displayed along with native plants <strong>and</strong> flora of the dry tropical regions of the world. Anderson Gardens was named in appreciation of the work of William Anderson, Townsville’s first Cura<strong>to</strong>r of Parks from 1878 - 1934. DAN GLEESON MEMORIAL GARDENS Where: Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan. The gardens feature a wide range of native flora situated amongst large lawn parks <strong>and</strong> paved pathways. THE STRAND Where: The Str<strong>and</strong> Townsville’s fantastic beach front promenade, The Str<strong>and</strong> incorporates a jetty, recreational park, restaurants, cafes, a series of headl<strong>and</strong>s, a free water park, picnic areas, swimming pools <strong>and</strong> stinger enclosures. QUEENS GARDENS Where: Pax<strong>to</strong>n Street, Gregory Street <strong>and</strong> Kennedy Lane, North Ward. Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, aviaries <strong>and</strong> a children’s playground. Initiated in 1870, Queens Gardens is the oldest Botanic Garden in Townsville. Now covering 4 hectares, reduced from an original 40 hectares, it is considered a fine example of a tropical garden for european settlement. Plantings include timber <strong>and</strong> fruit trees <strong>and</strong> collections of Dracaena, Codiaeum <strong>and</strong> Cordyline. Today the emphasis of the collection is on the colonial ornamental plants with colourful, attractive flowers, foliage or fruit. TOWNSVILLE PALMETUM Where: University Road, Douglas. Facilities: Toilets, botanical displays, <strong>to</strong>urist information, selected art exhibitions <strong>and</strong> a café are all located in Tumbetin Lodge. The Palmetum is a 17 hectare Botanic Garden displaying one of the largest <strong>and</strong> most diverse public collections of palms in the world. It has a range of habitats <strong>to</strong> suit flora originating from the dry tropics through <strong>to</strong> the wet tropical lowl<strong>and</strong>s. In addition <strong>to</strong> the recreated habitat zones, there are expansive lawns <strong>and</strong> water features frequented by numerous bird species. A ‘Birds of Palmetum’ brochure is available in the foyer of the Tumbetin Lodge. PIONEER PARK & ROSS RIVER Riverway Drive, Thuringowa. The park provides recreational facilities <strong>and</strong> is a popular fishing location. RIVERWAY Located in Townsville on the magnificent Ross River, Riverway offers a dynamic combination of cultural, sports, leisure, residential <strong>and</strong> commercial activities. With two huge swimming lagoons, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk <strong>and</strong> parkl<strong>and</strong>s, there truly is so much <strong>to</strong> explore. RIVERWAY - RIVERWAY LAGOONS Where: Riverway Drive, Kirwan The Riverway Lagoons cover an area in size of more than three Olympic swimming pools. The lagoons are nestled among shady raintrees, with the picturesque Ross River providing a peaceful backdrop. Water cascades connect the two distinct lagoon areas, which vary in depth up <strong>to</strong> 2 metres. Unlike coastal beaches there are no waves or stingers <strong>to</strong> bother you <strong>and</strong> you can feel comfortable knowing that the lagoons are patrolled by professional lifeguards seven days a week, 365 days a year. RIVERWALK The Riverwalk overlooks the beautiful Ross River <strong>and</strong> is a great place <strong>to</strong> view the prolific birdlife in this area. A three metre wide pathway runs along the river <strong>and</strong> provides numerous opportunities <strong>to</strong> enjoy its natural beauty. After taking a stroll, all the family can enjoy the nearby barbecue facilities provided or have a game of footy in the beautifully l<strong>and</strong>scaped open space. 44 | Sept <strong>2019</strong> - Feb <strong>2020</strong>
45 | Sept. 2015 - Feb. 2016