Maleny Botanical Gardens & Bird World.
Maleny Botanical Gardens & Bird World is a privately owned facility. It is built into the side of the hills overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains near Maleny.
Work started on the slopes of this challenging 110 acre property in 2005. By 2012 the gardens and facilities had been developed enough to open to the public for the first time. Bird World was created after the opening and made available to the public in November 2013.
You access the Gardens from Maleny-Stanley River Road. You start your visit with a steep and winding decent to either of the three public car parks. These are located within easy walking distance of Reception and the 5 large bird aviaries nearby.
Golf Karts make the gardens accessible for all
One of the first things you notice along with the lush gardens, are the many 4 and 6 seat electric golf karts parked outside of reception. With the gardens terraced into the side of a steep escarpment, these buggies make the gardens available to all.
Although Karts cannot be booked in advance, you will seldom wait more than 15 minutes for one. Of course there is plenty to see while you wait. Once available, karts are hired by the hour, with rates running from $42 to $62.
Beyond the Karts stands the Reception center, which acts as a ticket office, takeaway coffee shop, and a gift shop.
Courtesy of Maleny Botanical Gardens & Bird World
Moderately priced refreshments and Picnic boxes
Next to Reception sits the Café. It’s certainly worth considering some snacks to take with you if you plan on enjoying the full expanse of the Gardens.
On weekdays they offer cold foods. Toasties, croissants, and sandwiches along with bagels, baguettes, Panini and a “Maleny Cheese factory” Cheese box are available. On weekends and public holidays,hot chips, wedges, chicken nuggets and wings are added.
There are also 3 different Picnic boxes you can choose from to enjoy in the picnic spots throughout the Gardens. Take advantage of the package deals for food and tours etc which you can book online before you arrive.
When you leave the reception/café area, take the path to the left. This is the start of over 6 Kilometers of carefully maintained paths allowing access to all areas of the gardens.
Touring Maleny Botanical Gardens & Bird World
A full size copy of this map is provided free when you check in, and it is very useful for getting around.
The gardens themselves are arranged in a series of themed rooms. Spread over 18 acres they feature almost 20 man-made lakes and ponds. With water flowing from lake to lake, there are numerous waterfalls adding to the ambience of the Gardens.
The Amphitheater and Fairy Garden, with their ponds and lawns are a perfect place to pause as you start your decent. Next a stop to enjoy the mass plantings in the Rose Garden. From there, take advantage of Frank’s Lookout to enjoy the view out over the Glasshouse Mountains.
Then you start the steeper decent toward the bottom of the garden.
Picnic spots are everywhere
On these lower levels you will find numerous picnic spots throughout the many trees and lawn areas. You can also take advantage of one of the 18 Gazebos scattered through the gardens.
If you have a Golf Kart, drop it off at one of the parking bays. From there, stroll through the trees to the ancient rock formations, lakes and waterfall.
Back in your Kart, you can begin your climb up to the Rain-forest walk, and take Monet’s bridge to the Oriental garden.
Continuing up the hill will take you past the 5 large aviaries and back to car parks and catering.
Afterwards, if you are looking for refreshments, there are cookies, cakes and Coffee available. Or choose to sit a while and enjoy a leisurely Devonshire Tea served in the Gazebo by the gift shop.
Not ready to leave just yet, simply retrace your steps to take in the many aspects of the Garden you will have missed on your first pass.
Plants in the Gardens
Along with the sheer scale and impressive engineering that bring these gardens to life, as you might expect, there are thousands of plants to enjoy.
Among with the many native plants, tree ferns,staghorns and birds nest ferns, you will find some very rare cycads along with annuals, strategically place orchids, azaleas and of course the roses.
Prices for Maleny Botanical gardens & Bird World
There are numerous options to choose from.
Children aged 0- 2 are admitted Free. Tickets for garden access start at $5 for children aged 3 to 14, adults at $18 and pensioners or concession holders are $15.
If you combine your visit to the Garden with a tour of Maleny Bird World, fees rise to $20, $39 and $35 respectively.
A family pass to the gardens admits two adults and 2 children for $41 whilst $98 gets access to Bird World as well.
If you love the place and are likely to return, Annual passes are great value at $45 (gardens only) or $75 with bird park access included.
When are the gardens open?
The Maleny Botanical Gardens are open from 9am to 4.30pm every day of the year except Christmas day.
It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque setting. The many lakes and ponds, along with the Gazebo’s and picnic spots have been carefully designed and cleverly engineered and the planting is beautiful.
To complete the picture, native forests frame the site. Add the panoramic views of the Glasshouse Mountains as a backdrop and it is no surprise that the Maleny Botanical Gardens are a popular venue for day trippers, holiday makers and as a wedding venue.
Maleny Bird World
Although it opened later than the Gardens, Bird World has also become an extremely popular attraction .
It has grown steadily over the years, now housing over 700 beautiful birds from all over the World. The 5th large Aviary opened in December 2022.
Aviary tours take 50 minutes, and are conducted daily between 10.30 and 3pm. Additional tours times are added on public holidays and during school holidays. Read more about Maleny Bird World and book Aviary tours here:
Along with Australia Zoo, the Maleny Botanical Gardens and Bird World are the must see attractions in the Maleny region.
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