Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens
A community park featuring a well-equipped, fenced playground and picnic areas, alongside gardens impacted by a large bat colony.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, ideal for play
Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens
Best Time
Fewer crowds, ideal for play
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A community park featuring a well-equipped, fenced playground and picnic areas, alongside gardens impacted by a large bat colony.
"Fantastic park for parties with heaps of room for kids and awesome trees!"
Bat Colony Awareness
Be prepared for bats; they're noisy & smelly in their section. Stick to the playground side. :bat:
Family Party Spot
Great for parties! Fenced playground, shade, and nearby coffee shop make it a treat. :partying_face:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fenced Playground
Near Thuringowa Drive
A secure and well-equipped play area with diverse equipment, perfect for children's entertainment.
Dragon and Aslan Statues
Near the playground
Whimsical statues of a dragon and Aslan add a touch of fantasy to the garden, delighting younger visitors.
Manicured Lawns and Gardens
Accessible areas
Enjoy beautifully maintained green spaces and diverse flora, offering a pleasant environment for strolls.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Bat Colony Alert
Family Fun Hub
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Bat Colony Awareness
Be prepared for bats; they're noisy & smelly in their section. Stick to the playground side. :bat:
Family Party Spot
Great for parties! Fenced playground, shade, and nearby coffee shop make it a treat. :partying_face:
Picnic Ready
Picnic tables and BBQs available. Bring your own food for a relaxed outdoor meal. :picnic_table:
Library Next Door
Conveniently located next to Kirwan Library for a combined outing. :books:
Tips
from all over the internet
Bat Colony Awareness
Be prepared for bats; they're noisy & smelly in their section. Stick to the playground side. :bat:
Family Party Spot
Great for parties! Fenced playground, shade, and nearby coffee shop make it a treat. :partying_face:
Picnic Ready
Picnic tables and BBQs available. Bring your own food for a relaxed outdoor meal. :picnic_table:
Library Next Door
Conveniently located next to Kirwan Library for a combined outing. :books:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the well-maintained playground and picnic facilities, making it a great spot for family gatherings and parties. However, a large bat colony significantly impacts a portion of the gardens, leading to noise, odor, and restricted access, which detracts from the overall experience for some.
"There is a nice playground with various swings, slides, and climbing things. There is a statue of a dragon and of Aslan. There are picnic tables and a BBQ.
Toilets are near the playground.
The garden itself is small. It is overrun by bats, which is a shame."
Tiffany Woolfield
"Smaller than the botanical gardens around Townsville. Has a small lake with a water fountain, plenty of open green space, relatively quiet further into the park from Thuringowa Drive, has a playground, gazebo, several park benches, plenty of shade and many plants. Conveniently located next to the Kirwan library, and community centre.
Only issue is the now-larger section overrun by bats. It's really not fun in that section (nearly half the park). They're noisy, smelly and in their many hundreds. The areas affected by bats has meant the council has effectively closed the section with the lake, and the grass in that area is slashed, not mowed. The footpaths along the bat-area smells atrocious. The other-side of the park seems more welcoming and it's harder to hear the bats there. The playground and library is on that side."
Jai Joseph
"This is such a fantastic park for parties heaps of room for the kids to run around and awesome trees for them as well. Fenced to keep the younger kids in and a large shade cloth over the main play ground kids always have a great day there. And relaxing for us parents to with coffee shop 100m over beside the library the place is a treat."
Glynn Nielsen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The gardens are conveniently located next to the Kirwan library and community centre, accessible from Thuringowa Drive. Parking is generally available nearby.
Information on specific bus routes is not readily available, but the gardens' central location suggests potential access via local bus services. It's advisable to check local transport schedules.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens is a public park and entry is free for all visitors.
As a public park, the gardens are generally open from dawn till dusk. However, specific facilities like the playground may have their own operating hours.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Activities include enjoying the fenced playground, picnicking at tables with BBQs, strolling through manicured gardens, and observing wildlife.
Yes, toilets are conveniently located near the playground area for easy access.
Absolutely! The park is a fantastic spot for parties, with ample space for kids to run around and picnic facilities.
A significant portion of the park, including the lake area, is overrun by a large bat colony, which can be noisy and smelly. The playground side is generally unaffected.
While parts of the garden are affected by bats, the areas away from the lake and further into the park offer a relatively quiet and pleasant walking experience with diverse flora.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, picnic tables and BBQ facilities are available, making it a great spot for outdoor meals.
While there isn't a cafe directly within the gardens, there is a coffee shop located about 100 meters away, beside the Kirwan library.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the vibrant playground, the unique dragon and Aslan statues, and the beautifully manicured lawns and diverse plant life.
While large bat colonies are present, photographing them might be challenging due to their location and potential disturbance. Focus on other scenic aspects of the gardens.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Pack a picnic and utilize the BBQ facilities and picnic tables for a hassle-free meal. The nearby coffee shop is a bonus for parents needing a caffeine fix. The presence of statues like the dragon and Aslan can also spark imaginative play for younger visitors.
🌳 Nature Lovers (with caution)
However, it's crucial to be aware of the significant bat colony that occupies a large section of the park, particularly around the lake. While observing wildlife is interesting, the noise and smell from this area can be quite strong, and access may be limited. Stick to the playground side for a more conventional garden experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Bat Colony
Despite this, the other side of the park remains welcoming and largely unaffected. The playground, library, and a good portion of the gardens are on this side, offering a pleasant experience. It's advisable to orient yourself towards the playground area to avoid the less pleasant aspects of the bat colony.
While observing wildlife is often a highlight, the sheer density of the bats here can be overwhelming for some. Visitors seeking a tranquil garden experience might find the bat-affected areas less appealing, but the accessible sections still offer natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Family Fun and Facilities
Adding to the family-friendly appeal is a large shade cloth covering the main play area, providing much-needed relief from the sun. Parents can relax on nearby park benches while the children play. The convenience is further enhanced by the proximity of picnic tables and BBQ facilities, perfect for birthday parties or casual family gatherings.
Complementing the park's amenities, a coffee shop is located just 100 meters away, adjacent to the Kirwan Library. This makes it easy for parents to grab a coffee while keeping an eye on the kids. The combination of a safe play space, picnic options, and nearby conveniences makes this garden a treat for families.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit