Brisbane’s Sherwood Arboretum marks 100th anniversary on World Forestry Day 2025

With today being World Forestry Day, Brisbane Council is spotlighting the Sherwood Arboretum which turns 100-years-old today. It is Brisbane’s only arboretum and has more than 1350 trees from approximately 250 native species across the 15-hectare site.

More than 124 bird species including owls, ducks and parrots are known to call the Arboretum home, along with gliders and bats.

The International Day of Forests was established on the 21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 28th November 2012. Each year, various events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations.

To mark the centenary, Brisbane Council is inviting the community to celebrate at a special anniversary event this Sunday.

The Sherwood Arboretum opened on World Forestry Day on 21st March 1925 with 72 Queensland Kauri Pines planted, which remain a feature at the heritage-listed Arboretum today.

Over the past century the Sherwood Arboretum has evolved from growing bananas, cotton and sugarcane to being a meeting place and providing more to see and do for residents of all ages.

The community has played a vital role in the arboretum’s success including local school students planting trees and the incredible work done by the Friends of Sherwood Arboretum to restore and conserve this landmark destination.

In recent years, the Brisbane Council has delivered a new nature-inspired playground under the fig trees has been delivered as well as wildlife nesting boxes and informative labelling of the trees.

Residents are invited to attend the centenary celebration, with the Sherwood Arboretum Centenary Picnic to be held on Sunday, 23rd March from 2pm to 5pm.  

Images from top: Children playing at Sherwood Arboretum 2024; Family walking through Kauri Pines - Thomas Fielding and Grandkids c1930s. Credit: Heather McKinmmon; Kauri Pines in 2019; Kauri Pines in April 1949. Courtesy: Brisbane Council