SEE THE rainforests of Queensland without having to leave town. Be uplifted by the wonderful qualities of green on green. Relax over a meal at an open air cafe. Then go out and be inspired by forest and lake all over again.

Tondoon Botanic Gardens is so inspirational it is considered the number one regional botanic gardens in Queensland and is the flagship for Australia’s regional botanic gardens.

For visitors, it can be just a stroll through the park. It can also be a wonderful learning experience, with opportunities to gain a new appreciation of horticulture, botany and ecology.

The garden is particularly popular with local schools for environmental education. Tondoon Gardens is part of a conservation strategy to ensure that Australia’s environmental heritage is preserved. Staff at Tondoon research, grow and propagate regional plant species to make sure that rare and threatened plants from the area are preserved and that seed sources will be available on an ongoing basis.

The gardens cover 83 hectares, with 21 hectares of developed gardens in the main display area. The attraction is also a significant historical site, as Lake Tondoon was originally Tondoon Dam and served from 1916 to 1945 as a water supply for Gladstone residents.

The historic dam was restored when the Botanic Gardens were established and there is now a lake and a waterway system which is a major focal point and also provides an important water recycling and reticulation system.

Many plants are exhibited in the North East Queensland Rainforest collection. The sub-tropical orchard displays fruit trees that will grow in the Gladstone region.

And talking about being inspired by the garden, Tondoon has so inspired people that there are many volunteers who gather propagation material for the live collection of specimens for the Norm Gibson Herbarium and there are also visitor services volunteers who help with guided walks, events, holiday activities and school visits.

The visitor centre is open during the week and displays are open seven days. From the deck at the centre, you can view the Kreffts River turtles in the lake below.

Other attractions include the Japanese Tea House, Orchid House, cafe, birdwatching opportunities, barbecues, playground and even regular art and craft displays. Entry is free.

The Gardens Lakes Cafe is open seven days a week. Try their mouthwatering homemade goodies with a cuppa or relax over a delicious lunch. Or begin your day with breakfast at the cafe … a perfect start to the day.