Sherwood Arboretum is a free, 15 hectare riverside park in Brisbane’s south-west, open 24 hours and planted with more than 1,000 native trees. You come for the shady lawns, two playgrounds, BBQs and a short boardwalk over the Brisbane River mangroves.
It suits a family picnic or a slow walk among the trees, and the park is heritage listed, with plantings that began in 1925.
Trees to look for at Sherwood Arboretum
The collection holds over 250 Australian species and is Brisbane’s most extensive collection of Australian trees. Each corner of the park has a theme.
- Kauri Avenue: 72 Queensland kauri pines lining a grassy promenade. The first trees planted here in 1925 were an avenue of Queensland kauri pines.
- Fig Grove: white fig, cluster fig and Hill’s weeping fig, with big roots and twisted trunks, next to the river.
- Bottle Tree Knoll: a dry forest of drought-tolerant bottle trees.
- Bunya Pine Grove: tall bunya pines whose cones can weigh up to 10 kg.
- Sherwood Rainforest: rainforest trees from Queensland and northern New South Wales, including the critically endangered Ormeau bottle tree.
- Eucalypt Ridge: gum trees on the hillside, and a wooden sculpture marking the 1974 flood, when water in the park reached 13.61 metres.
Brisbane City Council notes that kauri pines in the southern section have declined in the acidic soil, and plans to replace some of them.
The river boardwalk and pontoon
A 150 metre boardwalk runs along the Brisbane River. It is a good spot for birdwatching and for seeing mangroves up close, where sacred kingfishers and mangrove gerygones live. Friends of Sherwood Arboretum report more than 170 resident bird species across the park.
A pontoon off the boardwalk lets kayakers dock for up to 10 minutes.
Playgrounds at Sherwood Arboretum
There are two playgrounds, both within walking distance of the car park and picnic areas.
- Large playground: for older children, with slides, swings and climbing nets.
- Inclusive nature-inspired playground: play pods, balance beams, a canopy-gazing net and a wave boardwalk, designed for children of all abilities.
Shelters stand near the playgrounds, so you can sit in the shade while the kids play.
Picnics and BBQs
The park has shady lawns plus riverside and lakeside picnic spots, with picnic tables, shaded seats and taps. Electric and wood-fired BBQs are in different parts of the park. Dog water troughs are provided.
BBQs, shelters (apart from the marked rotundas) and playgrounds cannot be booked for private use, so they are first come, first served. Three spots can be hired for events: the picnic shelter near the playgrounds (up to 8 people), Fig Grove and Kauri Avenue (up to 100 people each). Hire starts at $217.55 an hour including GST, with a 2 hour minimum, through Brisbane City Council’s park booking page.
Guided walks
Free guided walks run monthly and take about an hour. They leave from the shelter next to the main car park. Check the dates on the council’s Sherwood Arboretum page. Groups of 10 or more can book a customised walk at least 4 weeks ahead by calling 07 3403 2535. The Friends of Sherwood Arboretum also offer four trails, listed on their website.
Is Sherwood Arboretum dog friendly?
Yes, on a leash. Take your dog’s waste with you. For off-leash time, council points to the dog park at Thomas Street Park.
Planning your visit
- How long: one to two hours covers the kauri avenue, boardwalk and a playground stop; longer for a BBQ lunch.
- Cost: free.
- What to bring: water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible parking, accessible paths from the car park to the playgrounds, BBQs, shelters and boardwalk, and accessible toilets.
- Bikes: you can ride on the shared pathways. There are no bike racks.
Getting there and parking
Sherwood Arboretum is at 87 Jolimont Street, Sherwood. By car it is about 11 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 20 minutes. Use the onsite car park off Jolimont Street, which has wheelchair-accessible spaces.
For buses and trains, plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30. You can also reach the park on foot from the surrounding streets.
The full visitor details are on Brisbane City Council’s Sherwood Arboretum page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Rocks Riverside Park – another Brisbane River park on the southside.
- Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha – the city’s big botanic gardens, if you want themed gardens as well as trees.
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – a central riverside garden for a second botanic stop.
- Karawatha Forest – a bushland option for a longer walk.
Browse more public gardens and things to do across Brisbane.
Quick answers
Is Sherwood Arboretum free?
Yes. There is no entry fee. Hiring a picnic site for an event costs extra.
What time does Sherwood Arboretum open?
It is open 24 hours.
Does Sherwood Arboretum have a playground?
Yes, two: a large one for older children and an inclusive nature-inspired playground for children of all abilities.
Are there BBQs at Sherwood Arboretum?
Yes, electric and wood-fired BBQs. They cannot be booked, so they are first come, first served.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are accessible toilets.
Can I take my dog to Sherwood Arboretum?
Yes, on a leash. There are dog water troughs.
Where is the car park?
Enter from Jolimont Street. The car park has wheelchair-accessible spaces.
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