LONGREACH BOTANIC WALKWAY

Wander A Native Haven

Take a leisurely meander through a tranquil oasis of native gardens to iconic Outback attractions on the Longreach Botanic Walkway.

This 2.5-kilometre linear garden walkway invites you on a self-guided sensory journey through a thoughtfully designed landscape of local vegetation, to connect with nature and discover a nature-inspired ‘sense of place’. Leading from the leafy surrounds of Rotary Park (near the heart of town) to the celebrated attraction of the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, this picturesque pathway displays and interprets the native plants of the surrounding Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion, demonstrating the potential of local dryland species for use in landscaping and horticulture.

Along the walkway, interpretive signage provides educational insights into the plants, ecosystems and environmental conservation efforts, offering a deeper understanding of our region’s incredible botanical diversity. This audio guide is designed to introduce you to some of the key species showcased along the walkway, and highlights some of the multi-sensory opportunities for exploration along the path.

The garden features several key themes that can be applied to the home gardening environment, such as native plant selection, the importance of vegetation structure, and water conservation techniques to promote environmental sustainability.

This insightful pedestrian pathway is a perfect way to immerse your senses in the serenity of local native flora, as you weave your way towards one of the town’s most iconic attractions. This self-paced experience can be completed in either direction, and typically takes around 30 minutes to traverse one-way, but may take longer depending on your preferred pace of exploration. It’s sure to be a hit with nature lovers, exercise enthusiasts and visitors of all ages and abilities.

So lace up your walking shoes and get set for an immersive, audio guided tour along the beautiful Longreach Botanic Walkway.

Starting Out At Rotary Park

Starting your journey from Galah Street near the Longreach Motor Inn, you'll find yourself drawn into the inviting embrace of Rotary Park, the first stop on the Longreach Botanic Walkway.

As you enter, informative signage welcomes you to the Walkway, detailing the history and significance of this lush oasis. Inspired by the local natural environment, landscape architect Lawrie Smith designed the Longreach Botanic Walkway using soil, rocks and plant material from the surrounding area. The garden design places significant emphasis on waterwise techniques - an essential consideration for maintaining gardens in the often hot and dry conditions of western Queensland.

This signage also discusses vegetation structure and why it’s important, features of the local Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion, waterwise gardening tips and top species for native gardens. The first section of the Walkway from Rotary Park to Bower Road was commenced in 1989, and the second section from Bower Road to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame was completed in 1994.

The park itself is a spacious open area, offering shaded picnic spots and barbecue facilities nestled beneath tall Lemon Scented Gums and River Tea Trees, providing a perfect place to pause and take in the surroundings. As you venture along the smooth, concrete path, you'll be greeted by the gentle rustle of leaves overhead and the melodious chirping of birds, creating a harmonious symphony of natural sounds. The path, thoughtfully designed for easy walking and wheelchair accessibility, beckons you to explore further, with seating areas and water points conveniently located along the way. The air is filled with the invigorating scent of Lemon Scented gums, emitting a refreshing citrus fragrance that awakens the senses and draws you deeper into the heart of nature.

Crossing Crane Street

The Botanic Walkway sets out from Rotary Park, crossing Crane Street and running parallel to the Landsborough Highway for several blocks, before reaching its conclusion at the entrance to the iconic Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

As you cross Crane Street, you’ll enter the second section of the walkway. The path is well-shaded here by the leafy canopy of towering fig trees. To your right, a seating area beckons you to sit and soak in the serenity of nature’s embrace.

On your right after the seating area is a distinctive plant known as Old Man Saltbush. This fast-growing shrub has attractive, silvery-grey edible leaves which are often used for livestock grazing, but are also a viable bush tucker, salty in flavour and rich in protein, minerals and antioxidants.

To your left is a magnificent Coral Gum, with rough, grey, flaky bark, grey-green leaves, and large branches that commonly provide a restful retreat for birds and other wildlife.

You will then cross a small bridge with wooden handrails. To your left after this bridge is a tall mountain coolibah tree, and another shaded seating area.

Continuing on, there’s a water station to your right as you approach the next intersection, and a beautiful Bush Bauhinia to your left.

This native Australian plant adds a touch of elegance to the landscape, with its graceful silhouette and delicate blooms. The Bush Bauhinia is renowned for its striking flowers, which burst forth in clusters of vibrant colour during the blooming season. The blossoms, often in shades of pink, purple, or white, attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding movement and life to the garden. Moreover, the Bush Bauhinia is well adapted to thrive in the arid conditions of the Australian outback. Its drought-tolerant nature and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for landscaping in regions with limited water resources.

Bottle Trees And Acacias

You will then cross another road and enter a section of the walkway that’s quite open, before passing a large fig tree on your right. Also to your right is a cabbage gum with rough leaves that feel a bit like sandpaper. As you meander your way along the path, be sure to take time to explore the varied textures of our native vegetation – ranging from spikey to soft, and rigid to rubbery. Some of the foliage also has distinctive scents which can be uplifting, sweet or somewhat pungent.

You will then come to a section of the walkway signed as ‘Kurrajong Grove’. The Kurrajong family grow from the coast to the outback. These sturdy trees have spongy timber which holds water. Several species (including the ones planted on each side of the path here) are known as bottle trees, owing to their bottle-like shape as they age. Their leaves vary greatly in size and shape, and the large boat-shaped pods contain seeds that were roasted and eaten by Indigenous Australians.

Soon there’s another seating area to the right, where you may choose to sit and inhale the interesting combination of native scents wafting on the breeze.

About halfway along this section you’ll find Gidgee Trees, Weeping Myall and other varieties of acacia planted on both sides of the path. You may well be able to locate the Gidgee Tree by its potent odour!

The Gidgee Tree

Standing tall and resilient, the gidgee tree is well adapted to thrive in the arid conditions of the Australian outback. Its pointy, dark green leaves provide essential shade and shelter for wildlife, while its roots reach deep into the earth to access scarce water sources below the surface.

One of the notable features of the Gidgee tree is its durable timber, which is prized for its strength and resilience. Historically, the wood of the Gidgee tree has been used for various purposes, including fence posts and firewood, reflecting its importance to early settlers and Indigenous communities alike.

The gidgee tree has a distinctive scent, often likened to the aroma of boiled cabbage or gas. It’s strong scent, especially while flowering, has given it the unflattering nickname of ‘stinking wattle’. Whether perceived as unpleasant or intriguing, its pungency certainly adds another rich layer to the unique sensory tapestry encountered when exploring the Aussie outback!

Approaching the next road crossing you’ll pass by some sprawling white snappy gums on your left, and the last of the acacia varieties on your right.

Further Along the Botanic Walkway

Entering the next section of the Botanic Walkway, you’ll find Bottle Brush on your left, one particular variety, the weeping red bottlebrush, blooms with large, striking red blossoms that feel very much like bottlebrushes used to clean baby bottles. The aromatic Tea Trees on your right typically have a pleasant, camphoraceous scent, and some varieties are considered to promote healing of certain ailments.

The path leads on past wattle trees, over another bridge and past towering coolibah on the left and Needlewoods on the right. Be careful with your tactile exploration of the Needlewoods! They are aptly named for the sharpness of their elongated leaves.

Other varieties found planted throughout this section include Dollar Gums, Bootlace Oaks, Corkwood Oaks and Whitewood – just to name a few!

After the next road crossing, you’ll enter an area of the walkway which has been significantly impacted by recent drought, and is being regrown. However, a key point of interest found here is the Flowering Lignum – the floral emblem of Longreach. When in bloom, these natives produce an abundance of small, white blossoms, which contrast beautifully with their rich, green leaves.

The Final Section

As you approach the final stretch of the Longreach Botanic Walkway, you are greeted by a spectacular display of Bottlebrushes and Geraldton Wax, creating a vibrant tapestry of colour and a stunning finale to your tour.

The Bottlebrushes, with their distinctive cylindrical flowers in shades of red, pink, and yellow, sway gently in the breeze, attracting native birds and pollinators with their nectar-rich blooms.

Adjacent to the Bottlebrushes, the Geraldton Wax adds a touch of elegance with its delicate, star-shaped flowers and aromatic foliage. The wax-like flowers, ranging from white to pink and purple, emit a subtle, sweet, honey-like fragrance that perfumes the air, inviting you to pause and savour the sensory experience.

As visitors meander through this final stretch of the walkway, they may sense the nearness or catch glimpses of the iconic landmarks that await them at the exit: the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. These institutions stand as symbols of Australia's rich aviation history and pioneering spirit, offering a glimpse into the country's cultural heritage and identity.

As visitors bid farewell to the Longreach Botanic Walkway and prepare to embark on the next leg of their journey, they're invited to reflect on the beauty and diversity of the Australian landscape they've encountered along the way. From the towering eucalyptus trees to the delicate blooms of the Bottlebrushes and Geraldton Wax, the walkway serves as a living testament to the resilience and vitality of the natural world.

Accessibility

Longreach is located in the heart of the Queensland Outback. It’s approximately 1200 kilometres drive north-west of the capital city of Brisbane (via the Matilda Way), and about a seven-and-a-half-hour drive west of Rockhampton, via the Capricorn Highway. Longreach is also accessible via QantasLink and Rex Airlines flights, Queensland Rail’s ‘Spirit of the Outback’ service and inter-city coach services. The Longreach Region Explore Centre are happy to assist with journey planning and travel information and can be contacted on (07) 4658 4141. This helpful Visitor Information Centre is conveniently located at Qantas Park in Eagle Street, just 400 metres from the start of the Longreach Botanic Walkway at Rotary Park in Galah Street. While there is no public transport as such in Longreach, a local taxi service does operate in the area. Please call (07) 4658 0900 for bookings.

The Botanic Walkway runs parallel to the Landsborough Highway and is located directly across the street from most of the town’s accommodation offerings. It is also easily accessible from the main street. There is good street parking available for cars and caravans on Galah and Snipe Streets, which border Rotary Park, providing easy access for all.

The Walkway is all on one level and follows a wide, paved pathway that’s deemed accessible to wheelchair users. An accessible public bathroom is available at Edkins Park, on the opposite side of Galah Street from Rotary Park and the commencement of the walk.

Service dogs and domestic pets are welcome on the Walkway. The entire walk is a nature strip, so finding grassy areas suitable for toileting your dog is not an issue.

Most of the roads you’ll need to cross along the Longreach Botanic Walkway are relatively small streets, with minimal traffic. The busiest is Thrush Road, near the end of the walkway. Please note that there are no audible crossings or lights at these intersections.