Bonsai House

Located just 60m beyond the popular Japanese Gardens in Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Toowong, the open-air Bonsai House offers visitors a calm spot to escape the busyness of everyday life. 

Brisbane’s Bonsai House is actually one of Australia’s largest, publicly owned displays, with people from all around the world visiting it in appreciation of the remarkable Japanese and Chinese art form that is bonsai.

With a focus on plant species that survive in the sub-tropical climes of Brisbane, the main varieties on display in the Bonsai House are many different ficus, bougainvillea, rhododendron (azalea), juniper, cypress, camelia, conifers and several deciduous species.

Originally opened in 1999, the majority of the bonsai were kindly donated by the late Len Webber from his private collection and continue to be taken care of by gardens staff and volunteers from the Bonsai Society of Queensland and Bimer Bonsai Club.

As you wander through the 80+ ornamental, artificially manicured plants, see if you can spot the oldest bonsai in the collection. It is a Port Jackson Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) in an Informal Upright pose, that was established back in 1941.

The art of bonsai takes time to master, with many principles and practices to be followed to ensure the plants live a long and healthy life in their miniature form, but from this commitment comes great reward.

On signage near the entrance is this poignant quote by master bonsai artist, Masahiko Kimura: “A deep love and reverence for trees, not theory or technique, is most important in creating bonsai. Nature is always our greatest teacher – it suggests beautiful forms and balanced shape of plants.”

Towards the back of the entrance, which also houses a workshop area & informative posters, an enchanting, bamboo, tipping water feature fills the air with the sounds of a babbling brook, drowning out the noises that fill our minds. 

Two beautiful bonsai pots and a Japanese stone lantern in the same area were generously donated to the Brisbane Bonsai House jointly by the Kobe City Government and the Kobe City Assembly Japan-Australia Association. These gifts acknowledge and commemorate the long-standing relationship between Brisbane and Kobe, established as sister cities on July 16, 1985.

Between the Bonsai House and the Japanese Garden you’ll find a contemplation platform that is the perfect spot to sit and reflect as you gaze across the garden. Make sure you spend a moment there, if you have time, especially when the cherry blossoms are in flower.

Now, if you lose your way, relax knowing there are a myriad of information signs dotted along the pathways to point you in the right direction, and include places of interest within the botanic gardens (such as the Hide ‘n’ Seek Children’s Trail, the Tropical Display Dome, and more), plus locations of toilets and accessibility. You can also pick up your own map from the Information Centre, depending on where you’ve entered the gardens.

Nice to know – The Bonsai House, designed with all abilities access in mind, has a water bubbler close to the entrance.

Need to know – The bonsai are not to be touched, but photographs are more than welcome.

By Danella Perrins

Looking for more great botanic gardens across SE Qld to explore, you'll love our feature that lists 10 of SE Queensland's best gardens - READ MORE HERE!