Noosa Botanic Gardens — Attraction in Lake Macdonald

BE WARNED My wife and I decided to stop and have a look around today nice spot with lots of information in the parts we got to see Unfortunately while in the shade garden area one of the grounds men rode up on a quad shut and padlocked the gate and was gone leaving my wife and I trapped inside a 2 meter high chain link cage at 2 In the afternoon on a Thursday Thankfully we had phones with us and were able to contact noosa council while waiting for them to find a number for the guy I climbed out looked through he gardens for the grounds keepers area but everything was locked up and seems he was gone for the day So plan B I was heading back to the car to get tools to dismantle the gate and let my wife out when she called to say they managed to get hold of the guy and he was 10 minutes away So went back to the shade garden and waited When the guy arrived he was very un apologetic commented there are worse places to be trapped When we suggested maby they need an exit put in there all he replied with was If anyone got stuck they could just climb the fence My wife had eye surgery Monday and to be be honest even on her best day would have a problem scaling a 2 meter high chain link fence Thankfully we had phones and are only in our late 40s I dread to think what the outcome would have been if it was somebody older or disabled who had no phone on them Trapped from 2 pm Thursday to sometime Monday (Fridays noosa show day) So yea in review my wife's decided screw nature were not going back there anytime soon We did have a really good laugh about the unbelievable nature of the whole situation No signs saying it was closing no contact numbers no walk though to make sure no one was in there not even a yell of I'm locking the gates get the hell out just ride up slide the gate closed pad lock it and...

Tucked away near Lake Macdonald, these gardens are a quiet delight and well worth a visit if you’re in the Noosa region. They’re not huge or manicured like some of the bigger botanic gardens, but that’s part of the charm — it feels more natural, relaxed, and peaceful.

There are walking paths through native bushland, open lawns to picnic on, and a charming Greek-style amphitheatre that adds a quirky, unexpected touch. It’s a great spot for birdwatching, photography, or just a slow wander to clear your head.

Families will appreciate the open spaces and shaded areas, while plant lovers will enjoy the mix of native and exotic species — although a few sections could use better signage (I got lost looking for the blue track) or a bit more attention. Still, it’s free, it’s serene, and it’s beautifully set by the lake. Dogs are allowed on leash too, which is a bonus!

✨ Tip: Bring a picnic, binoculars, and maybe some mozzie spray if you’re going bushwalking. Early morning or late afternoon are the best...

Very sweet but small botanical garden. The views of the lake are lovely, and there are a lot of different birds. There are many chairs and picnic tables, as well as nice areas to put a blanket down. I visited during the week, and it was quite quiet. There are a lot of shaded areas, which makes it nice to walk around even when hot. They have a mist garden, which was a nice bonus. The amputheather is very picturesque and has a lovely tuscan vibe. There are some art instilatioms along the walk which add a pleasant touch. There are three separate car parks and a couple of toilet blocks. Most of the garden is wheelchair accessible with the exception of a few tiled/brick walkways that were a bit of a hazard due to what I assume is moving dirt and tree...