Both Old Government House and Parliament House overlook the City Botanic Gardens. Originally a collection of food crops planted by convicts in 1825, it’s now Brisbane’s favorite green space, and manicured lawns, tangled Moreton Bay figs, bunya pines, rainforest and mangroves are a soothing elixir for urbanites. Free one-hour guided tours leave from the information kiosk at 11am and 1pm Monday to Saturday. From 8am to 3pm on Sundays, the gardens host the Brisbane Riverside Markets (queenslandmarkets.com.au), while the Riverstage hosts large-scale concerts and community events. Past performers include Australian music legend Paul Kelly, and New Zealand's Lorde. In preparation for the 2032 Olympics, significant expansion of the Riverstage precinct is planned across upcoming years.
While exploring the gardens, look out for a sculpture known as Jemmy Morrill and the Brolgas. Morrill was the sole survivor of an 1846 shipwreck on the Great Barrier Reef. A group of local Indigenous people found the shipwrecked sailor and he lived with them for 17 years before returning to the new European colony in Queensland. He went on to play a pivotal role in improving relations between Aboriginal people and white colonists in the new state. Another especially interesting feature is the so-called Flood Mark, which indicates the devastating water levels reached during the 1974 and 2011 floods. The on-site cafe is unremarkable; consider bringing a picnic instead.
