Located on the Esplanade in the Heart of Cairns City. There are bus services or you could take a taxi. A wonderful way to spend a couple of hours admiring the beautifully maintained Gardens which display an excellent variety of tropical plants, both native and exotic. There is a fernery, orchid house and a great area showing examples of plants used by Aborigines for bush food and medicine.
Entry is free although a donation is welcome.
Across the road from the Botanic Guardens is the Centenary Lakes Boardwalk. From the Boardwalk you can observe typical rainforest species including giant paperbark trees and Pandanus. The freshwater lake contains aquatic plants, tortoises and water birds. There are BBQ's and a childrens playground. If you want to stretch your legs and get a nice view of the city of Cairns and Trinity inlet at the same time do what the locals do and walk the Red or Blue arrow .