Kershaw Gardens

Kershaw Gardens is a large 50-hectare public parkland in Park Avenue, North Rockhampton, Queensland, on the Bruce Highway north of the Fitzroy River. Developed on a former landfill and opened in 1988, it is notable for its extensive native plantings, cascading waterfall, wetlands and family recreation areas. Severely damaged by Cyclone Marcia in 2015 and restored, it now serves as a major community green space and environmental rehabilitation example.

Visitors can expect extensive landscaped parkland with native and exotic plantings, a central cascading waterfall and wetlands, shaded picnic areas, walking and cycling paths, and large playgrounds including the Wycheproof-themed and nature-based play areas. The gardens are flat and open with broad lawns, boardwalks, bridges over waterways, and quiet bushland sections for walking and birdwatching. Facilities are spread across the site with shelters and barbecues suitable for families and casual recreation.

Kershaw Gardens was developed on a former municipal landfill site and officially opened in 1988 as a Bicentennial project for Rockhampton. It was created as an example of large-scale environmental rehabilitation, transforming waste ground into botanic parkland. The gardens were severely damaged by Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia in February 2015, which destroyed much of the vegetation and infrastructure, and underwent a major restoration and redevelopment before progressively reopening from 2018.

The gardens are a major community recreation and gathering place for Rockhampton and a noted example of urban environmental restoration in Queensland. They provide space for community events, environmental education, and family leisure, and are valued locally for their native plant displays and accessible green space north of the Fitzroy River.