Tondoon Gardens celebrates 30 years with week of fun activities

The nationally recognised Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens will celebrate its 30th birthday in style, kicking off a week of public events and activities beginning on Saturday (Oct 20).

The Gardens were opened on October 23, 1988 and were quickly established as one of the Gladstone Region’s most popular tourist and recreational destinations.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the 30th birthday celebrations were an ideal time for those who had not yet discovered the Gardens’ beauty, or those who had acquainted themselves with the Gardens in recent times, to join in the fun at Tondoon.

“The Gardens received almost 300,000 visitors last year and earlier this year were recognised by Australian Geographic magazine as one of the nation’s top 10 regional botanic gardens,” Councillor Burnett said.

“Features including the Japanese Tea House, Lake Tondoon, Savour the Flavour café, picnic and barbecue areas and the abundant flora and fauna have made the Gardens an ideal family recreational area.”

The 30th birthday week, extending from October 20-27, will feature bonsai workshops and demonstrations by artists Hugh Grant and Stephen Cullum, a bonsai exhibition, tree planting ceremony, and a guided tour of the gardens with Curator Brent Braddick.

The celebrations culminate with Luminous, a spectacular light art event, from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday, October 27.

Luminous, a new event for the Gardens, is an evening of exploring the hidden areas of the Gardens at night while being surrounded by light, art and entertainment.

For more information about the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens 30th birthday celebrations and events bookings, visit the Tondoon Botanic Gardens Facebook page or the Gardens’ website at www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/whats-on-at-the-gardens or phone the Gardens office on 4971 4444.