Noosa Botanic Gardens
Council has commenced preparation of a Master Plan for the Noosa Botanic Gardens. The plan will provide certainty in direction for the gardens and help plan future works and experiences for the enrichment of residents and visitors. The Master Plan is proposed to be based around 4 themes being Showcase Gardens, Diverse Experiences, Accessibility and Inclusion, and Nature Based Experiences. Community consultation will commence in the near future – with a dedicated Your Say program. Stay tuned for details.
The Noosa Botanic Gardens are a short drive from the hinterland town of Cooroy, on the shores of Lake Macdonald.
The gardens comprise eight hectares of native and exotic plant species. The gardens are home to an abundance of wildlife. Other features of the gardens include:
- an open-air bush chapel
- a fern house
- a lily pond
- large lawn areas with winding paths leading to picnic areas
- a Greek-style amphitheatre (a circular structure with rows of seats)
- children’s play facilities
- permaculture and composting area
- toilets
- drinking water
The site was originally farmland. Council resumed the site in the late 1950s. Part of the site was used to create the Lake Macdonald water supply.
The site was used to dump rubbish until local resident Ida Duncan approached council for permission to clear the site. With the help of other locals, Ida Duncan cleared the area of weeds and car bodies.
Funding from a government community employment program was used to start construction of the botanic gardens in 1987.
When the program ended, council appointed two full-time staff to continue construction and maintenance of the gardens. Former Noosa Shire Parks Curator, Bob Bickley designed the layout of the gardens. Council has funded the gardens since 1988.
The Noosa Botanic Gardens officially opened to the public in August 1990.
Click on the image to open the map
The Friends of the Noosa Botanic Gardens group meet regularly for a social get together or at the Cooroy Library. The garden maintenance volunteers can be found in the gardens every Thursday. There are many ways of volunteering at the gardens as tour guides, fundraising events, education programs and general support activities. Contact the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens group for more details.