Orchid House
With about 25,000 species the orchid family (Orchidaceae) is the largest group of flowering plants in the world. Over 3,000 new hybrids are added every year and it is no
surprise that the number of orchid lovers are growing every day.
Mackay Regional Council’s Queens Park features a large collection of beautiful orchids which are housed in the Ken Burgess Display House, commonly called the Orchid House.
The collection contains some terrestrial (ground living) orchids but consists mainly of tropical epiphytes (tree living) and lithophytes (rock living) orchids. There are Australian native orchids as well as exotic orchids from around the world.
On display is a broad range of orchids in all shapes and sizes from the tiny Dendrobium lichenastrum to the large and rare Bulbophyllum fl etcherianum. Some orchids have blooms that are gorgeously fragrant with scents like vanilla or chocolate and others that smell putrid. With approximately 600 varieties, there are all sorts of flowers from popular ‘corsage’ type orchid like the Cattleya, to the ‘upside down’ orchid Stanhopea, which fl ower from the bottom of the plant.
The orchids are rotated between the Orchid House and the orchid nursery which ensures a seasonally changing display. Some plants displayed in the Orchid House are over 75 years old.
For more information, download the Orchid House: Ken Burgress Display House brochure (PDF 1.87MB)
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 10am - 11am and 2pm - 3pm
Sunday: 10am - 2pm
Closed Saturdays and Public Holidays
Admission is free.