Sherwood Arboretum

Sherwood Arboretum is a 15-hectare botanical garden and heritage-listed riverside park devoted to Australian trees. Its collection includes more than 1,000 native trees and over 250 species, spread across grassy areas, lakes and a boardwalk beside the Brisbane River. The setting suits a slow wander, a picnic in the shade or a relaxed day outdoors, with plenty to explore beyond the main lawns.

The tree collections give the park much of its character. Kauri Avenue is lined with 72 Queensland kauri pines planted in 1925, while Fig Tree Grove features mature white, cluster and Hill’s weeping figs. Other areas include Bottle Tree Knoll, Bunya Pine Grove, a Queensland and northern New South Wales rainforest collection, and Eucalypt Ridge. Along the 150-metre riverside boardwalk, visitors can look for birds, see mangroves and take in views of the river. The arboretum is home to more than 170 resident bird species, and four trails cover the trees, habitats and history of the park.

Families are well catered for, with two playgrounds within walking distance of the car park and picnic facilities. One has slides, swings and climbing nets for older children; the other is an inclusive, nature-inspired space with play pods, balance beams, a canopy-gazing net and a wave boardwalk. Picnic areas include shady lawns and riverside and lakeside spaces, with tables, shaded seats, taps, accessible toilets, electric and wood-fired barbecues, dog water troughs and accessible paths. A pontoon on the riverine boardwalk allows kayakers to dock for up to 10 minutes.

The park also offers monthly guided walks of about an hour, leaving from the shelter beside the main car park. Groups of 10 or more can arrange a customised walk with at least four weeks’ notice. For larger gatherings, three sites are available to book, including the small picnic shelter, Fig Grove and Kauri Avenue. Sherwood Arboretum opened in 1925, when figures including Brisbane’s first Lord Mayor William Jolly, botanist William Douglas Francis and Queensland Governor Sir Matthew Nathan planted the kauri avenue. The park later gained Queensland heritage status in 2007, and a flood marker records the 1974 flood that covered almost the entire arboretum. It is open 24 hours and can be reached via Jolimont Street, with onsite parking and wheelchair-accessible parking.