Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden is an 82 hectare garden at Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast, with bush walks, a sculpture garden, a butterfly garden, nature play areas and a cafe. It sits on Palm Creek Road and is open every day during daylight hours.
It suits a short family wander on the nature play circuit as well as a longer bush walk.
Walks at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden
There are six walks, ranging from a 200 metre family circuit to a 3 km bushwalk:
- Whipbird walk: 200 m, a circuit designed for little legs, with hidden mosaics, carvings and sculpture creatures to find.
- Ephemeral Wetland Walk: 400 m, a creek-side stroll past a frog pond and ground orchids.
- Lagoon walk: 900 m, a circuit through tall forest.
- Creek walk: 1.4 km, a forested trail.
- Upland bushwalk: 2.1 km through eucalypt and rainforest.
- Tall Gums bushwalk: 3 km through eucalypt forest and rainforest gullies.
The council has not published times or grades for these walks online. A location and walks map is available on the garden’s website, so look at it before you pick a longer one.
Sculpture garden and feature gardens
The sculpture garden is a bushland gallery with marble and sandstone artworks, more than 20 tonnes of stone in all, set along a 900 metre path. You can follow an audio tour through the Sunshine Coast Council app (choose Things to Do, then Guided Walks, then Maroochy Bushland Sculpture Garden).
The other feature gardens are the Butterfly Garden, the Fern Glade, the Mossy Log and the Friendship Colonnade. The Butterfly Garden follows the life cycle of the threatened Richmond birdwing butterfly from egg to adult, and the warmer months are the best time to see butterflies. The Mossy Log is a collection of fallen forest logs covered in mosses, and the Friendship Colonnade is a vine-covered arbour that makes a shady walk.
Nature play for kids
The Whipbird playscape has cubbies and pods made from living shrubs, logs and stump jumps, a rope bridge, a little library for story sharing and a platform for picnics. The Whipbird walk beside it has hidden artworks to find along the way.
Creative children’s activities run through the year, including in school holidays, and are listed on the garden’s What’s On page.
Picnics and the Garden Cafe
Open lawns suit a picnic rug, tall trees give shade, and there are tables, chairs and large shelters. There are no barbecues and no rubbish bins, so take your rubbish home with you.
The Garden Cafe is run by Compass and is open from 9 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Thursday. It does not open Friday to Sunday, so bring your own food on those days. You can ring the cafe on 07 5445 9116.
Guided walks
There is a monthly “Welcome to Your Botanic Garden” guided walk on the first Saturday of the month, plus curated walks around special events and seasonal activities. Walks cost $5 a person and bookings are essential. They start at the entrance to the Arts and Ecology Centre. Groups can ask for a pre-booked walk at a time that suits them.
Are dogs allowed at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden?
No. Domestic pets are not permitted because the garden is a wildlife reserve. Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
Planning your visit
- How long: about an hour for the sculpture garden and nature play; half a day if you add a longer bush walk and a picnic.
- Best time: mornings in the warmer months for butterflies and cooler walking; plan around the cafe if you want a coffee, as it is only open Monday to Thursday.
- Cost: guided walks are $5 a person. The garden’s website does not list an entry fee.
- What to bring: water, a hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and a bag for your rubbish.
- Hours: 7 am to 5 pm from April to October, 7 am to 6 pm from November to March.
Getting there and parking
The garden is on Palm Creek Road, Tanawha, about 92 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, which is about 85 minutes by car without traffic. There is no public transport to the garden, and it is reached by car, coach or bicycle.
From the south, leave the Bruce Highway at exit 194 (Mooloolaba) and follow Frizzo Connection Road, Tanawha Tourist Drive, Main Creek Road (through the highway underpass) and Radbourne Road to Palm Creek Road. From the north, leave at exit 201 (Maroochydore) and follow Mons Road, Owen Creek Road (which becomes Tanawha Tourist Drive), Main Creek Road and Radbourne Road. You cannot reach the garden from Wilson Road: the only access is from the Palm Creek Road side. The council does not describe the parking, so follow the signs on arrival.
The office is on 07 5458 7601 and the garden’s website has the walks map and What’s On. Details can change, so check it before you go.
Nearby
- Buderim Day Out – the forest park, falls and village to add to the day.
- Ewen Maddock Dam – a lakeside stop in the hinterland.
- Maroochydore Beach – a swim after the bush.
Browse more public gardens or the Sunshine Coast, or see things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Events in the area
- Aussie World Christmas – see the post for the next dates.
You might also like
- Fairhill Native Plants – another stop for anyone keen on native plants.
- Kondalilla Falls – a bigger waterfall walk in the hinterland.
- Maleny Botanic Gardens (Wootha)
Quick answers
What are the opening hours?
The garden is open 7 am to 5 pm from April to October and 7 am to 6 pm from November to March. The Garden Cafe is open 9 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Thursday.
How many walks are there?
Six, from the 200 metre Whipbird walk to the 3 km Tall Gums bushwalk.
Can I take my dog?
No. Domestic pets are not allowed. Registered assistance dogs are welcome.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The Garden Cafe is open Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 2.30 pm.
Are there barbecues or bins?
No. There are tables, chairs and large shelters, but no barbecues or bins, so take your rubbish with you.
Can I get there by bus?
No. There is no public transport to the garden.
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