Queensland Heritage Register
In 1992 the Garden and buildings were added to the Queensland Heritage Register. The story of Dave Gordon and his dream of creating a garden which showcased the plants from arid, semi-arid and dry tropics areas of Australia is a story worth passing on.
When Dave’s father died and his older brother went to join the war effort (WW1), Dave, at fifteen, was left to shoulder the responsibility of managing the huge sheep property, look after his family, while completing his schooling by correspondence. He succeeded even though his real passion lay in the Australian bush and the unique vegetation which, he understood, was in danger of becoming rare as more and more land clearing occurred.
Dave saw wool prices begin to rise in early 1940 and took a chance to follow his dream. He chose a small portion of his farm, on a hill where the soil was poor, light loam with some sand and ironstone gravel, but less likely to experience a hard frost, and began creating his dream garden. This all happened more than 80 years ago but Dave’s dream lives on and the buildings that were constructed then are withstanding the test of time and the Garden layout remains the same.
Many visitors who come to stay know the Garden because they worked with Dave or their forebears did and the fascination for the whole story remains strong today.
Buildings and Structures
Terpersie
Terpersie was built for the first nursery man that Dave hired and is used today as the caretakers residence.
Singlemen’s Quarters
The Singlemen’s Quarters was one of the earliest buildings constructed on the site.
Avochie
Avochie, originally built for the overseer of the farm but now used as visitor accommodation.
Glass House
The renovated Glass House with shade cloth to protect from hail. Now filled with museum pieces
Hardening Bays
One of the newly repaired and repainted hardening bays
Seed Room
Built to store the many seeds collected during trips away or taken from Garden specimens.