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The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens are on Kabi Kabi Country. I acknowledge the Kabi Kabi as the Traditional Custodians of this area and their connection to land, sea and community. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
Most people head straight for the beaches when they visit the Sunshine Coast, but if you’re after a change of scenery, there are three very different botanic gardens worth exploring.
You’ve got two completely free council-run options—Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens tucked away in the bush at Tanawha, and Noosa Botanic Gardens right on the shores of Lake Macdonald. Plus, there’s Maleny Botanic Gardens to visit, a private hinterland attraction with excellent views over the Glass House Mountains.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly activities around the region, check out my guide to free things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
1. MALENY BOTANIC GARDENS & BIRD WORLD
Maleny Botanic Gardens at a Glance
Up in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the privately-owned Maleny Botanic Gardens offer a more manicured garden experience set against the backdrop of the Glass House Mountains. If you’re planning a bigger day out, it’s easy to combine a visit here with a scenic drive along the Blackall Range, stopping at cute hinterland towns, scenic lookouts and short trail walks along the way.
When we last visited the gardens, they didn’t look their best because of severe storm damage earlier that year but honestly, you can’t go past the stunning views here.
There are plenty of tables, benches and gazebos scattered throughout the grounds, making it a great spot for a picnic. You can order a picnic basket directly from the on-site café, pick up local delicacies in Maleny township first or bring your own hamper—whatever suits.
Exploring the gardens involves terraced paths winding around small artificial lakes and waterfalls. There are also old train carriages for kids to explore. If you’re not that good on your feet, you can actually hire a golf buggy to get around. It definitely feels more like an “attraction” rather than just a quiet botanic garden. 🙂
You can also get a combined ticket to tour Bird World but neither of us is a big fan of these aviaries. But people tell me that they love it so each to their own. 🙂
2. MAROOCHY BUSHLAND BOTANIC GARDENS (TANAWHA)
Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens at a Glance
I’m not sure how many Sunshine Coast locals have actually been to the Maroochy Botanic Gardens given how tucked away they are. In fact, you might feel like you’re going in circles just driving there.
What’s really nice about these gardens is that they feel much more like a natural bush reserve than a manicured botanic garden. It’s not that it’s wild and overgrown—it’s just spacious, surrounded by tall trees and native bushland, with plenty of bird life and other wild creatures.
There’s a small lagoon, open grassy areas for picnics, a fern glade and lots of Australian native flora.
The highlight for families really is the Whipbird Walk, a short loop where kids—big and small!—can spot hidden metal animal sculptures along the way.
Because it’s a free council garden, it’s a fantastic alternative to the busy beaches. Pack a picnic, fire up one of the free barbies, kick the footy or just enjoy some quiet time away from the holiday crowds.
3. NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS
Noosa Botanic Gardens at a Glance
Situated on the shores of Lake Macdonald, Noosa Botanic Gardens are much more of a traditional manicured botanic garden while also offering open, grassy areas for running around and enjoying a picnic. There are plenty of paved paths and you can even take your dog for a walk here (as long they’re on a leash).
Most of the garden is pretty flat and you can easily create longer or shorter loops depending on how far you want to walk. The Greek-style stone amphitheatre overlooks the lake—it hosts occasional live events like opera and concerts, but keep in mind that these are very popular and book out far in advance.
Unlike at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, there are no BBQs within the botanic gardens. You’ll need to pop over to nearby Lake Macdonald foreshore park to cook your snags.
WRAPPING UP
Whether you’re looking for sweeping mountain views at Maleny, a quiet bushland experience at Tanawha or a peaceful lakefront walk at Noosa, the Sunshine Coast’s botanic gardens offer a completely different side to the region beyond the beaches.
If you’re staying further south around Caloundra, Ben Bennett Botanical Park is also worth a quick mention. While it’s much smaller and functions more as a heritage bushland reserve with short walking trails, it’s a lovely pocket of nature right in town.
Looking for more ways to explore beyond the coast? Take a scenic drive through the Glass House Mountains or discover more budget-friendly spots with my guide to free things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Happy exploring,
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