For four decades the gardens were a tourist attraction, bringing visitors from throughout Australia and overseas to see their spectacular display of bougainvilleas in flower.

[14] This geometric formality was reinforced by linear access ways from Harts Road – a pedestrian pathway and two driveways – all of crushed gravel.

[15][1] The Bougainvillea Gardens comprised evergreen trees, such as palms, Ficus, mango and bottle trees; with colour provided primarily by bougainvillea, at least one of which Thomas bred himself,[16][6] supplemented by crotons, orange crucifix orchids, poinsettia (red and cream), and annuals planted in two garden beds centrally placed in the lawn on either side of the pedestrian footpath.

In July 1926, Thomas' garden at Indooroopilly was already recognised as a "sight of Brisbane"[20] with interstate dignitaries taken there to admire the "wonderful bougainvillea hedges".

The first reported garden party was held in September 1929 for St Andrew's Church of England, Indooroopilly, of which Thomas was a member.

[36] Thomas agreed in March 1947, on the condition that the property be acquired for the use of the public and that he be allowed to remain in occupation, as caretaker, for as long as he desired.

[40] Subsequently, A E Wilson, the BCC's newly appointed landscape architect, was granted a lease of the property, conditional upon his making the Gardens available free to visitors during weekends and on holidays.

[41][1] By 1962 the BCC had new plans for the gardens and the management of the Long Pocket land it had resumed to form the Sir John Chandler Park.

[44][1] Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Clem Jones, opened the Indooroopilly Golf Club Long Pocket course on 8 March 1964.

"In 1965, the IGC applied to the BCC to lease the land in the lower (southern) section of the Bougainvillea Gardens to expand its golf course.

The IGC was to maintain the Gardens and permit public access to them between the hours of 10am and 4pm daily, provided that at all times the golf course was safeguarded.

[54][1] At some time after the agreement that the IGC maintain the Bougainvillea Gardens, this responsibility reverted to the BCC Parks Department,[1] where it remains as at 2017.

Original elements of the Bougainvillea Garden, including many plants from the Thomas' period were identified and were assessed as in good condition generally.

The arch over the pedestrian entry is a remnant structure, as is an early telegraph pole that survives in the north west corner of the gardens.

The IGC excised part of the vegetable garden and most of the lower two-thirds of the property with a six-foot high wire fence, creating a new boundary to the park, when it extended a fairway.

Similar to Homestead Gardens they included avenue planting, a service area and stable block; were sited on flood-free higher ground with views; and were close to permanent water (both river and dam).

A neat look was advocated and sometimes natural vegetation was completely removed.The cultural heritage significance of Thomas Park Bougainvillea Gardens has been identified in several studies.

The park consists of two distinct parts; the northern residential garden, which contains remnant features and plantings of the former residence Somerset; and the southern sloping lawn which extends south towards the Brisbane River.

The park and golf course are located on the same lot and separated by a metal pole and cyclone wire fence, which follows an irregular path in a south-west direction from Harts Road.

[1] The northern residential garden is a triangular shaped, gently sloping plateau of land at the highest point of the site.

[1] The Harts Road boundary is defined by large bougainvillea hedges (of the reddish-pink thomasii variety) interspersed with tall, regularly spaced Cocos Palms (arecastrum romanzoffianum).

Dense undergrowth of a variety of plant species exists in places, as well as cleared areas where encroachments by neighbouring properties have occurred.

The north-east corner of the southern sloping lawn also features several tall, individual bougainvilleas and a large Womans Tongue Tree (albizia lebbeck).

The main driveway commences at the eastern end of the Harts Road boundary following an east–west alignment to what was once a turning circle in front of the residence.

The service driveway commences at the western end of the Harts Road boundary and runs south to the site of the former stables.

A modern timber archway spanning the former main driveway supports an original bougainvillea plant with reddish-pink flowers.

[1] Running north–south through the centre of the ornamental garden is an avenue of trees aligned with the front trellis archway, marking the location of a former pedestrian pathway.

Now a single open space, these consist of a long flat lawn area bordered on the northern edge by a dense bougainvillea hedge.

Tangled within this hedge are the remains of what appears to be an original fence, namely weathered timber posts and sections of barbed wire.

[1] Non-significant elements throughout Thomas Park include modern signs, benches and picnic tables, a water bubbler and garbage bin holder.