Set within the gardens are an ornamental lake, a scarred tree, a visitor information centre and cafe, a conservatory, Cooks' Cottage (a house where the parents of James Cook lived, brought from England in the 1930s), tree-lined avenues, a model Tudor village, a band pavilion, a rotunda, the "Fairies' Tree", fountains and sculptures.

Clement Hodgkinson described the landscaping design: During the 1880s and 1890s many of the blue gums were removed to create more room for existing trees, as well as sweeping lawns and ornamental flowerbeds.

The plaque at the bottom of the tree reads: The gardens are home to brushtail and ringtail possums, rainbow lorikeets, ducks and microbats (small insect eating bats).

They are visited at night by grey-headed flying foxes (a large nectar and fruit eating bat) and powerful owls.

The presence of Australian wildlife make the city gardens especially enjoyable for overseas visitors and locals alike.