Royal Cuban Palms

The City Botanic Gardens are home to a vast array of flora and fauna. One such feature, near the Alice and Edward Street Entrance to gardens is a circle of royal Cuban palms (Roystonea regia). These were planted in the early twentieth century by the then curator, Ernest Walter Bick. The palms are indigenous to Cuba, and can grow to a height of 40 metres and live for 200 years.

Historically, the area where the palms stand was once a cricket ground when it was part of the former Queen's Park. Queen's Park was incorporated into the botanic gardens in the 1860s, although it remained as a sports field until it was officially gazetted in 1916. At that point, the gardens was extended to close to 50 acres, a substantial area of city land. In 1919 the lower end of Queen's Park was filled with soil from the newly graded riverbank to reduce flood risk. The circle of royal palms were planted here at that time.

It is fantastic to stand in the midst of these towering palms as they encircle you. These shots were taken just before this weeks deluge of rain in the city, and I can assure you that the whole of the gardens loved the great soaking they received. I love walking through this area of the gardens. It is almost like an organic Stonehenge, as you'll often see people engaged in somewhat strange activities in the middle of the circle. I mean sporting activities, of course! Oh, and passionate embraces!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Building Blocks of Life

"Building Blocks of Life" is a sculpture located in the City Botanic Gardens. Created by sculptor Antone Bruinsma, it was gifted to the gardens in 1988. The imposing work features a traditional family, with the father protector stoically holding the mother and two young children under his protective and watchful eye. The mother is with the younger of the children, whilst the older child resides with inquisitive face and the large hand of the father. Standing over 2.4m high, it is sculpted in sandstone.

Antone Bruinsma is a Dutch born, Australian-based sculptor. Active as an artist for over twenty five years, he graduated from the Queensland College of Art in 1979. This work is reflective of his association with the Warana Festival (which became the Brisbane Festival) in the 1980's. To quote directly from his resume, I think this sums up his approach fantastically: "His sculptures are homages to Mother Earth and the gifts she bestows on us. He uses archetypal and mythological imagery, related to the environment and the community in which the sculptures will be placed."

Antone is quite an inspirational sculptor and has an obvious affinity with Queensland. His works can be found in many locations around Brisbane and the Great South East. He is an active community member, and I must agree by reviewing his works that he has enriched all of the areas which have had his works and sculptures on display. I love the way he has captured the essence of family within the sculpture, which I agree are truly the building blocks of life. I would highly recommend exploring his sculpture park in the Gold Coast hinterland at Cedar Creek, south of Brisbane.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Walter Hill Fountain

The Walter Hill Fountain, in the City Botanic Gardens, is a unique monument to the colonial botanist and original director of the gardens, Walter Hill. Stonemason John Petrie built the stone drinking fountain in 1867 using the designs of Queensland's first colonial architect, Charles Tiffin. It was constructed using Helidon sandstone and marble from Gladstone.

The fountain commemorates the construction of the Enoggera Dam, which was engineered to provide drinking water for the growing city. It was the first ornamental drinking fountain in Queensland, and for many years functioned as such. The aim of Walter Hill was that all visitors to the Botanic Gardens would have access to pure drinking water. The original lions head through which the water funnelled still remain as features of the fountain. Located almost in the centre of the gardens, the fountain would have provided a focal point for those visitors as they perused the botanical delights.


I've just spent the past week travelling down through the eastern parts of Australia. Fortunately, as I went inland we had quite a lot of rain during my travels, and this meant that finally some of the drought stricken areas of the country have had some relief, and their was greenery through most of New South Wales. Posting on this fountain has made me reflect on how the provision of water, one of the basic necessities of life, has been made so difficult for our city over the past few years. Here's hoping we get more rain into our catchments so we can be spared further drought restrictions in the future.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Plant Form

Plant Form is a large steel sculpture located on the riverfront within the City Botanical Gardens. Brisbane City Council purchased the piece after the finish of World Expo 1988 and relocated it to this position within the gardens. Created by Robert Juniper, it stands over four metres tall and is an imposing artwork on the riverwalk. The easiest way to locate the artwork is to enter the gardens via the Alice and Edward Street entrance and proceed along the river.

Born in Merredin, Western Australia in 1929, Robert Juniper is considered one of Australia's most renowned painters, sculptors and printmakers. He is acknowledged as a major figure in Australian landscape painting, and he has also been honoured by the Western Australian government as a 'Living Treasure'. He's even been on Burke's Backyard! He studied commercial art and industrial design at Beckenham School of Art, England before returning to Western Australia in 1948 where he painted, taught and exhibited from the early 1950s. In the 1980s he investigated other artistic avenues, including stained glass and metal sculpture like the work presented here. He has won numerous awards with individual and group collections presented worldwide.

In researching Robert, I found reference that most of his sculptures are made from bits and pieces of rusty steel he finds in old deserted gold mining towns and dumps, and then welds together. This seems to fit this mold perfectly. I feel like this work is perfectly located. To me, the leaf elements of the work look like boat anchors, so the juxtaposition with the yachts on the river works beautifully. In a similar vein the same juxtaposition with the garden backdrop behind the piece works just as well due to the "plant" nature of the sculpture. Good planning, or just good luck? Who cares, it sure is striking!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Banyan Fig

In the City Botanic Gardens there is a large Banyan Fig on the QUT Gardens Point campus edge. Planted in 1870's and native to India, the Banyan fig acquired its name from the Hindu merchant caste, the Banyans, who set up there stalls under the shelter of the trees. It is renowned for its vast growth and the aerial roots it sends down to support branch growth. Although this tree is quite large, in their native India they have been known to expand to well over a hectare.


In Hindu religion, the banyan tree is considered sacred. It represents eternal life because of its seemingly ever-expanding branches. A Hindu belief was that the Brahman represented itself as Banyan Tree with the spirit living on in these trees. Because of this belief, they are encouraged to grow and are rarely pruned in India even though their roots can cause significant damage to any surrounding buildings and temples.

Like the similar Moreton Bay Figs, this fig tree is quite spectacular. If you had one of these in your backyard, you wouldn't have space for much else - but it would be better than any cubby-house. For a game of hidey-chasey they provide ample spaces to hide, and its great to climb into the trees so that any kid who tries to chase you can't quite reach.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Jemmy Morrill and the Brolgas

Jemmy Morrill and the Brolgas sculpture is located in the City Botanic Gardens. Sculpted by Lindsay Daen (1923-2001) in 1993, it is made of Bronze and is located in the ponds near the rainforest. The sculpture is on permanent loan from the Queensland Art Gallery. Daen liked his work to reflect man, animal and flight, and he has done so successfully with this work.

There are two main subjects of this sculpture. The main focus is the sailor Jemmy Morrill, who lived with the Aboriginals for 17 years after being the only survivor from a vessel shipwrecked on the Great Barrier Reef in 1846. He was the first white man in the vast north country and went on to play an important role in improving relations between the Aboriginal people and early settlers. The other is the Brolga, an Australian Stork often referred to as a native companion. The sculptor has noted this description of how he came to portray Morrill in this form:

“...naked and emaciated, awed and fearful... coming to terms with this strange environment as he hesitantly begins to dance with the Brolgas.”

Can you imagine being transferred into a totally foreign world, alone, a different colour and not understanding of any of the cultural nor behavioural traits of the group that finds you? This would have been the case for Jemmy (aka James Murrells) after he first stepped onto our Australian shores. The acceptance of the aboriginal inhabitants to this unique stranger should be a more acknowledged reminder today of the relationship we should have. They were accepting of us, we should officially say sorry in our reconciliation!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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City Garden's Cafe

The City Garden's Cafe is located at the top of the City Botanic Gardens, near the Dragon Tree. It is open seven days a week between 8:00am and 4:00pm for breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. The cafe was formally the curators residence, built in 1903. This itself was a replacement for the original curators cottage which was washed awayin the 1893 floods. During world war two the building was used as a Ward room for the WRAN officers of HMAS Moreton.

In its present form, the City Gardens Cafe was opened on the 7th of September, 1989. This venue is available for functions and events seven days a week. This includes wedding receptions, engagement parties, bridal showers, post-christening celebrations, birthday parties and corporate events. The menus are quite varied and reasonably priced in the restaurant itself. They are also licensed, so you can have a wine, beer or spirits with your meal.


There is no denying that surrounded by manicured lawns and sub-tropical rainforest, City Gardens Cafe offers patrons a unique dining and function experience. You also get to dine with some of the local fauna, well, the sculpted kind anyway. The only word of warning I could offer is that on Public Holidays the surcharge, particularly at the kiosk, can be a bit of a sting. However, you could consider it part of the experience, and it has to be worth it for the views.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Platypus Chair

Just in from the Alice and Edward Street entrance to the City Botanic Gardens you will find what I've dubbed The Platypus Chair. It is probably what you would more likely term as a seat, sculpted in a bidirectional fashion with one side facing the river, and the other back into the gardens. On the arm rest between the two seats is the platypus, quite happily there to make your acquaintance. I unfortunately am unable to find any reference as to who sculpted this, or why it was placed here other than for its great aesthetic value.

The platypus is an iconic Australian animal. A mammal, its bizarre duck-billed head, furred body and webbed feet made British naturalists at first think it was a hoax when originally presented. In fact, in 1799 British scientist, Dr George Shaw initial reaction to this original specimen was such that he even took a pair of scissors to the pelt, expecting to find stitches attaching the bill to the skin. Aboriginal people have many different names for the animal, including "boondaburra", "mallingong" and "tambreet".

On a hot day in the gardens, its a great place to take a rest. There is a water bubbler next to the chair, and as you can see, variance on the way you can sit in the seat - particularly if you're a kid! Brisbane and its surrounds have such wonderful parks that a day out exploring on the weekend will always find many and varied treats.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Dragon Tree

In the City Botanic Gardens near the Garden's Cafe is the Dragon Tree. The particular species of Dragon Tree is the Dracaena draco, or the Canary Islands Dragon Tree.

This particular tree does originate from the Canary Islands. The Garden's original curator, Walter Hill, planted it in 1862. The tree can live up to 400 years, and is very slow growing and does not branch or flower until it is 30 years old. The tree was damaged in 1984 during a storm, and you can see the poles which have been used to stabilise it to help prolong its life. Dragon tree wood is very heavy with red sap that oozes from the trunk when cut. This resin was used by 18th century Italian violin-makers for varnishing their instruments. It was also used for staining marble.

The tree is quite spectacular and sits at a high point in the Garden flanked by part of the rainforest section. The lawn runs down the hill from that point, providing views back to the city. I also have to make a comment about the Cafe. As much as I love that their is a cafe in the garden's, with magnificent views, they really do need to consider their pricing at the kiosk. Over double the normal price for a medium cup of Coke really is exploiting those who want to go and enjoy the serenity but get thirsty on a hot day.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Lizards

In the various parks and gardens of the city at this time of year you will often find lizards out and about in the morning and afternoon sun. They range in size from your little titchers, geckos, blue tongues and various sized water dragons. The often will be on rock walls, or in some instances they will block your path on many of the walkways around the city.

This little beauty happened to be in the City Botanic Gardens. He is what is considered an Australian Water Dragon, or Physignathus lesueurii. At this time of year you will find several as you navigate the garden's pathways particularly around the ponds.

I came across this one on a pathway near the ornamental ponds. At around one and half feet, I assumed it was a he, but I have no idea about determining the sex of lizards! He was sunning himself in the middle of the walkway, but as I came up trying to get as close as possible, he darted off into the relative cover of the undergrowth. I pursued him, and managed to get this shot of him watching me watching him. I'm sure if he could talk he would have said "Nick Off!".

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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1974 Flood Level Marker

In the midst of the City Botanic Gardens, on the main walkway from the Albert Street entrance through to the City Garden's Cafe, is the 1974 Brisbane flood level marker. In January 1974 Brisbane was subjected to the worst flooding of the Brisbane River since before the turn of the century. Over a foot of water fell in the course of two days, with more in the reaches above the city.

A large area of the city of Brisbane was flooded, 14 people lost their lives, and 6700 homes were ruined. 5000 people were left homeless. This marker in the gardens was erected in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the floods, and the level reached by the flood in the gardens. Since then, the Wivenhoe Dam was built to negate this from happening again. Given the current harsh water restrictions in place, and the lack of water in that Dam, another heavy rain to fill the dam would be quite welcome.

My kids love the Gardens, and its not difficult to coax them into the city on the weekend to run around, play cricket and explore. Its also not difficult to get them to pose for cheesy photo's on some of city's fine landmarks. My son, Ethan, was happy to indulge in a spot of sit in Dad's photos. I have to admit, I encouraged him to do it!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Gardens Point Boat Harbour

On the town reach of the Brisbane River at Gardens Point, there is a boat harbour mooring. If you look towards the point from the Brisbane Riverwalk you get this view. Garden's Point forms part of the city Botanic Gardens. On the other side of the river behind the various boats you can make out the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

There are 54 yacht moorings, and it is quite common to see a number of yachts moored at any particular time of the year. They range in type from the old junkers, through to the more exotic catamarans, although the berths are too small to get your monster cruisers there. The rates are quite reasonable, at $50 a week. This is part of the reason why some people prefer to live on their yacht! Many have small dinghies they use to get across to the "mainland".

When I was a kid, I used to love the challenge of doing jigsaw puzzles which had harbour scenes. It seemed they would do these to allow you to get a lot of different colour and variation in the picture, which would make it easier to do. Scenes like this always remind me of that. We also have had some nasty sea weather of late, which probably explains why the berths are almost full at this particular harbour.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Moreton Bay Figs in the Gardens

Just inside the Edwards Street entrance to the City Botanic Gardens, on the Alice Street side of the walkway, there are a number of magnificent fig trees which are incredibly mature. Known as Moreton Bay Figs, one of the main features is the habit of having aerial roots. These drop from the overhead branches and form supplementary trunks, giving further support to the overall tree structure.

There are several trees dotted throughout the gardens, and several throughout Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs. The more mature trees are spectacular, and can provide vast shade to the hot sun here. Some of the trees in the gardens are apparently over 150 years old. The look of the aerial roots make some people consider that the trees are "melting".


As you can see, the large supportive trunk structures provides a fantastic hiding place and maze for kids. My kids love to run around these trees and hide as I yell for them to "Get out of there!" This of course results in yells back of "No, come and find us if you want us!"

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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