Centenary Lakes - Cairns Botanic Gardens
Centenary Lakes - Cairns Botanic Gardens
Centenary Lakes - Cairns Botanic Gardens
4.5
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4.5
193 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
60
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Une_Bella
Sydney, Australia605 contributions
June 2023 • Solo
Enjoyed the stroll through the botanic gardens that almost led me to the Centenary Lakes.
Beautiful birds and ducks were around.
Peaceful & serene.
Use of an insect repellent is a must..
Beautiful birds and ducks were around.
Peaceful & serene.
Use of an insect repellent is a must..
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanine
10 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
There is a foul smell from water on them lakes. The place should be avoided. The place is in need of better looking after.
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeyandMeSydney
Darwin, Australia103 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
A colleague and i visited the Cairns Botanical Gardens which was great, lovely plants and butterflies.
Then we walked down to the Centenary Lakes, not far from the Botanical Garden. Fresh water lake first then the salt water lake. It was near the salt water lake, and the mangroves there, next to a herb garden, that i was attacked by a swarm of insects, likely midges!!
At that time, i met and was talking to a lady there who was a photographer for about 10 minutes next to the herb garden, when i noticed being bitten on the arms and legs, i was wearing shorts and T-shirt as locals do in Cairns.
After a few hours, my skin came up in itchy red bumps, very itchy. I had trouble sleeping for 2 nights.
Used moisturiser cream liberally which helped a little. Friends suggested to use Tiger Balm or steroid cream, but i didn’t, and after one whole week it has improved a lot! Thank heavens. See attached photo of my poor legs.
Thing is, i have lived in Cairns for about 4 years, and am aware of the biting midges, them being so tiny, they can’t even be seen and one of the hazards of living in the tropics, NO signage exists of this risk around the salt water lake area, which is not good.
So, beware! Wear long clothing, walk through fast, &/or use RID insect repellent.
Then we walked down to the Centenary Lakes, not far from the Botanical Garden. Fresh water lake first then the salt water lake. It was near the salt water lake, and the mangroves there, next to a herb garden, that i was attacked by a swarm of insects, likely midges!!
At that time, i met and was talking to a lady there who was a photographer for about 10 minutes next to the herb garden, when i noticed being bitten on the arms and legs, i was wearing shorts and T-shirt as locals do in Cairns.
After a few hours, my skin came up in itchy red bumps, very itchy. I had trouble sleeping for 2 nights.
Used moisturiser cream liberally which helped a little. Friends suggested to use Tiger Balm or steroid cream, but i didn’t, and after one whole week it has improved a lot! Thank heavens. See attached photo of my poor legs.
Thing is, i have lived in Cairns for about 4 years, and am aware of the biting midges, them being so tiny, they can’t even be seen and one of the hazards of living in the tropics, NO signage exists of this risk around the salt water lake area, which is not good.
So, beware! Wear long clothing, walk through fast, &/or use RID insect repellent.
Written 27 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottcabal
Folkestone, UK315 contributions
The Centenary Lakes are a free facility next to the Botanical Gardens nearer the outskirts of Cairns. It is well worth visiting them as you can combine them with the Red / Blue Arrow walks, a visit to the Botanical Gardens and a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Also visiting the park around the lakes is free.
The main attraction is the lakes themselves - I had wanted to visit them since seeing a photo in my guidebook, so it was convenient they were near my hotel. They are a nice place to walk, cycle, have a picnic or just relax with the children or a loved one. There is a wealth of wildlife here as well as park benches and cycle paths. I believe in summer there are BBQ facilities available in the picnic area too.
In addition to the lakes you can walk along a walkway over a large section of preserved rainforest called the "Rainforest Boardwalk". There are signs along the way telling you about the plants you see and about the conservation of the rainforest. At the other end of the boardwalk is the Botanical Gardens which I didn't visit but they looked nice. Next to the gardens is the entrance to the red / blue arrow walks which provide great views of the city and the surrounding area. You can easily walk to the Flying Doctors from here too.
I would highly recommend visiting the lakes. If you're at a hotel slightly out from the centre chances are you'll be near them but if not it's a nice area to spend the morning exploring anyway. They're a place that many people seemed to forget about when I was there. I know it was winter but by European standards it was a really nice day with great weather but only a few other people were exploring the area.
The main attraction is the lakes themselves - I had wanted to visit them since seeing a photo in my guidebook, so it was convenient they were near my hotel. They are a nice place to walk, cycle, have a picnic or just relax with the children or a loved one. There is a wealth of wildlife here as well as park benches and cycle paths. I believe in summer there are BBQ facilities available in the picnic area too.
In addition to the lakes you can walk along a walkway over a large section of preserved rainforest called the "Rainforest Boardwalk". There are signs along the way telling you about the plants you see and about the conservation of the rainforest. At the other end of the boardwalk is the Botanical Gardens which I didn't visit but they looked nice. Next to the gardens is the entrance to the red / blue arrow walks which provide great views of the city and the surrounding area. You can easily walk to the Flying Doctors from here too.
I would highly recommend visiting the lakes. If you're at a hotel slightly out from the centre chances are you'll be near them but if not it's a nice area to spend the morning exploring anyway. They're a place that many people seemed to forget about when I was there. I know it was winter but by European standards it was a really nice day with great weather but only a few other people were exploring the area.
Written 20 May 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray D
Melbourne, Australia17 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
we always go her on our last day here before we go to airport to catch our flight home as it is nice place to spend the last few hours with a cuppa and scones .. walk around and enjoy all the botanical varieties at one may not see in the surrounding districts especially the orchid dislpys
Written 12 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CairnsAussie52
Cairns215 contributions
June 2013 • Couples
On the boardwalk areas you can see and experience the rainforest in swamp location without the travel up/down the coast to see almost the same vegetation and rainforest trees, you also see more bird life on the ground level. Its a very relaxing walk so peaceful and so close to the city.
Written 4 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jess
Adelaide, Australia31 contributions
Aug 2019
We enjoyed the morning walking between the Centenary Lakes and Botanic Garden, each were beautiful and full of gorgeous native flora. Lots to see and enjoy, would definitely recommend everyone to visit when in Cairns.
Written 17 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yunus M
Leicester, UK280 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
You can start with the lakes, then the rainforest boardwalk, then the Mt Whitfield hiking trails, even take in the Tanks exhibitions and it's all free. I even did it a couple of times. Plenty of wildlife to spot, amazing plant life, beautiful and serene. Loved it.
Written 1 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paherranz
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain162 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Imagine a Botanic Garden that has everything, where all botanic species are well tagged with a guide to thoroughly explain them. Imagine that, on top of it, you can learn about aboriginal life (how they use plants intelligently), that you can learn about world
evolution through plants)... and all this (plus a couple of walking trails, a couple of gardens and a couple of lakes) in one morning. Well that's Cairns' Botanic Gardens. Well done!
evolution through plants)... and all this (plus a couple of walking trails, a couple of gardens and a couple of lakes) in one morning. Well that's Cairns' Botanic Gardens. Well done!
Written 26 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beercairns4me
Cairns, Australia235 contributions
Oct 2013 • Family
It is quite simple. When in Cairns and you have a spare couple of hours, make your way to the gardens. An easy bus ride from Lake Street and well worth the visit. There are public toilets and a cafe set amongst the lush tropical surrounds.
Written 15 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good morning from Malta.
I will be visiting Cairns Botanical Gardens in the second week of November. It will be my first time to visit a place where there are wild and dangerous animals and am a bit worried at the inexperience. In the gardens what should one be on the look out for please? Many thanks and regards.
Carmel Pulis
Written 11 September 2019
The hotels are only dangerous places- too many wild Randy men😂
Written 20 October 2019
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