George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
Spread over 42 lush hectares, the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens makes for a relaxing day out when visiting the Northern Territory. Showcasing an impressive display of plants not just from Australia, but also tropical destinations around the world. Highlights include Darwin’s largest ornamental fountain, a beautiful waterfall deep in the rainforest, and a sensory garden. You can browse the art gallery in the Eco House, take a free guided walking tour, and even enjoy a BBQ right on the lawns. Journey to the beautiful Botanic Gardens with our Darwin bus tour. You can hop off nearby and hop back on when you are done!
The wildlife
There’s more than just the flora to enjoy at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, the array of wildlife is fun to spot too. There’s the resident rufous owl in the rainforest, the five metre snake in the raintree, and chooks in the Snakebean Community Garden. And, if bird spotting is your thing, you’ll enjoy ticking off the species you see from the garden’s bird list.
Walking trails
There are several themed walking trails you can follow at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. The Cycad Walk takes you past 11 species, both exotic and from Australia. The Larrakia Coastal Walk starts at Mindil Beach, passing through natural mangroves and up to Bullocky Point. The Aboriginal Plant Walk journeys along the Tiwi Wet Forest and Woodland Areas, displaying plants that can be used for bush tucker and medicinal purposes. And the Tree Walk explains the different varieties you’ll spot along the way.
Other interesting facts about George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
- The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens is used as a site to test plants of economic importance for their sustainability in the tropics
- The gardens were severely damaged during Cyclone Tracy in 1974, when 89% of all plants were lost
- George Brown led the restoration project after Cyclone Tracy, leading to the renaming of the gardens after him in 2002
