Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, a top Sunshine Coast Hinterland attraction, has teamed up with the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation and local native plant specialists, Brush Turkey Enterprises, to unveil new Bush Tucker gardens.
The gardens showcase a variety of Indigenous plants traditionally used by the Jinibara People for food, medicine, and cultural practices.
Two dedicated areas within the expansive 23-acre gardens have been planted with species like Davidson’s plum, lemon myrtle, native raspberry, and the aromatic lemon sherbet coleus, known for its citrus scent when touched.
The plants were cultivated by Brush Turkey Enterprises, renowned for their expertise in re-vegetation and bush regeneration, while Jinibara rangers were responsible for preparing and planting the gardens.
Visitors to the gardens can explore informative displays detailing the significance and traditional uses of these plants in Indigenous culture. The addition of these Bush Tucker gardens complements Maleny Botanic Gardens’ long-standing efforts to honour the region’s heritage, further highlighted by the presence of culturally significant native trees like the Bunya Bunya.
Maleny Botanic Gardens general manager Verena Olesch emphasised the importance of educating visitors about the local Indigenous heritage.
“The backdrop of the Glass House Mountains is a powerful reminder of the region’s millions of years of history and the tens of thousands of years that the Jinibara People have lived here, utilising these native plants,” Olesch said.
The Bush Tucker gardens mark a natural evolution of the property, which was transformed from a 110-acre cattle farm into a botanical wonderland in 2005.
Owner Frank Schipp’s commitment to regeneration has resulted in a lush landscape surrounded by rainforest, with plans to further expand the gardens and integrate native plant offerings into the on-site café’s menu.
In the coming months, Maleny Botanic Gardens will host sessions with the Jinibara People, offering visitors a deeper understanding of their rich cultural heritage and the enduring connection between the Indigenous community and the land.
