Flooded Botanical Gardens, 1873

News of the day

Queensland Times, 24 June 1873, page 2

THE FLOOD. BRISBANE

The Brisbane River reached its highest point about 6 o'clock on Thursday night, when it was upwards of six foot above the level it would have stood at the start of the tide if there had been no flood. The water was awash with the Queen's wharf then, and had entered Harris's lower store. The Ipswich morning coach started from Kangaroo Point, but on reaching the Locky Waterholes was obliged to turn back, as the water was too deep to ford. By nightfall the water had risen at this place considerably higher, and showed no signs of subsiding.

Background

The following information is courtesy of Brisbane City Council:

Part of the riverside site where the gardens are located was originally a botanic reserve. It was established in 1828 to provide food for the early penal colony.

The City Botanic Gardens officially opened in 1855. That year, the botanic gardens' curator Walter Hill was appointed as the first superintendent. He began an active planting and experimenting program. This included:

• trialing crops and plants from around the world to determine their suitability for growing in subtropical climates introducing mangoes, pineapples, pawpaws, custard apples, sugar cane, tobacco, ginger, coffee and many types of nuts and grape vines to Queensland

Major redevelopment of the gardens took place in 1987. Redevelopments included building an information centre, upgrading the paving and converting the former curator's residence into a restaurant.

• establishing ornamental plant collections in the gardens for visitors to enjoy

 

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