Centenary lakes

The Centenary Lakes are connected to the Botanic Gardens by a boardwalk though pristine lowland swamp forest and melaleuca wetlands. The arrea contains a freshwater lake which highlights freshwater aquatic life – birds, turtles, waterlilies and other plants. There is also a saltwater lake which leads off from Saltwater Creek and gives visitors the opportunity to explore a mangrove habitat, view mudskippers, crabs,saltwater fish and mangrove birds.

Rainforest boardwalk

The Rainforest Boardwalk takes adventurers through a precious remnant of the lowland swamp forest with Alexander palm groves, towering paperbark trees and impenetrable pandanus swamps. Once a familiar forest type along the tropical coast, it is now under threat from agriculture and development.  

Freshwater / saltwater lakes

The freshwater lake is the existence of a lake in the centre of a developing city making it popular with local residents and visitors alike and provides a number of interesting walks through ever-changing natural habitats. Regular visitors to the area have also found this part of the gardens a perfect place for quiet picnics and family outings.

In addition to being home to a rich diversity of plant species, both lakes are a bird watchers paradise with both fresh water and saltwater environments. There are 136 species of birds which have been recorded breeding and feeding in this area.

At low tide, fiddler crabs and mudskippers emerge to graze upon the nutrient rich muds. The Saltwater Lake is linked to the Saltwater Creek and lined with native mangroves species.