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 Cairns
has a magnificent botanical gardens. They are not huge but they
are extremely attractive and well maintained. Located approximately
5 kilometers from the heart of the CBD you may need to arrange transport.
On a hot day this is a long walk but buses, taxis and tours are
available to take you to the Gardens. Maps of the Botanical Gardens
are freely available once you arrive.
There
is an excellent coffee shop and restaurant in the gardens that is
open everyday for breakfast and lunch. The Botanical Gardens open
at 7.30am and close at 5.30pm and the restaurant opens at 9.30am
and closes at 4.30pm.
The
Botanical Gardens contain a multitude of tropical plant species
with an impressive array of orchids and carnivorous plants. There
are plenty of places to sit quietly and soak up the atmosphere or
to enjoy an afternoon nap.
Admission
is free however there are collection boxes placed around the gardens
for people to make donations to assist with the ongoing maintenance.
The Botanical Gardens are popular with local residents and tourists
alike. On weekends they can get quite busy as families gather up
the children and take them on picnic.
Adjacent
to the Botanical Garden is another recreation parkland called Centenary
Lakes. Like the Botanical Gardens the "Lakes" offer plenty of opportunities
for exploring and relaxing in a truly tropical environment.
The
only word of caution when visiting both of these attractions is
that the insects can be annoying at times so make certain that you
keep the repellent handy.
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