Garden Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Destination's Journey

23 February 202310 February 2023

Australian National Botanic Garden

Covering many of the plant types found in Australia, the Australian National Botanic Garden in Canberra covers 35 hectares. With paths winding through the garden, you are able to experience many of Australia’s habitats in one place.

Getting There

We drove to the Garden and parked in the carpark there. As with most Canberra attractions, this is a paid parking area, so you need to purchase a ticket at one of the machines. From here we walked to the visitor centre where we got a map before starting on our walk.

What to See

We chose to walk the Main Path track because it covers all of the major areas of the Garden. A staff member suggested that we commence at the lower rainforest boardwalk, as the misting effect was about to start. This was a great suggestion and was the highlight of our visit. As we walked through the ferns of the rainforest, a mist drifted through, cooling us off, as it was a hot day, but overall the area was impressive.

After passing through the rainforest we saw banksias in flower before taking a diversion to the Red Centre and rock garden. While walking we passed several water dragons basking in the sun. They must be used to visitors as they did not run off as quickly as others we have seen. We were lucky to get several good photos of them before they decided to hide.

For those interested in birds, a huge viewing platform, the paperbark tree house is available for use.

We found the path to be an easy walk, with no steep grades. The walk took us around 45 minutes with plenty of stops for phots and to look at the plants. A great place to visit, especially the rainforest section.

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13 December 20229 December 2022

Mount Penang Gardens

Located near Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast, Mount Penang Gardens covers eight hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens. With twelve distinct garden rooms, the displays range from drought tolerant Australian natives to water lilies in the cascading wetlands area.

Parking is available adjacent to the gardens and is currently being expanded, along with improved road access to the area. Entry is free, but dogs are not permitted.

Entrance and Aquatic Garden

Entrance is via the Waterfall Café which overlooks a large pond. This is an excellent place to start your visit or relax after having explored the gardens. From the café, a bridge crosses the pond into the gardens.

Aquatic Garden — Café overlooking the pond

Wildlife

On entering, an information board shows the species of birds you might be lucky enough to see. During our visit though, we only saw a few wood ducks. Also, scattered throughout the gardens are some interesting insect hotels. These are designed to attract insects and provide shelter for them.

Birds of Mount Penang Gardens — Insect Hotel

The Gardens

Well maintained paths wind through the gardens taking you from one setting to another. The sloping terrain allows walled “rooms” to enclose area creating a micro-climate suitable for humidity-loving plants. The bromeliads and ferns growing in one of these rooms were impressive.

We loved the bottle tree grove at the top of the hill because they are such unusual trees. It was great to see them growing here on the Central coast.

Amphitheatre Mount Penang Gardens — Amphitheatre

Rainforest Mount Penang Gardens — Amphitheatre

Sculpture Garden

Created in 1987 by a group of international sculptors at waterside Wondabyne, these massive artworks carved from Gosford sandstone. Gifted to the people of Australia as a bi-centennial gift in 1988 to as a bicentennial they are as varied in style as the artists who made them.

Bird of Paradise Totem by Apkwina Asanamba

Zone of Peace by Nu Nem Raj Sakya Mount Penang Gardens — Bird of Paradise Totem by Apkwina Asanamba

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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22 November 202217 November 2022

Everglades House and Gardens Leura

Brickwork used to frame the surrounding landscape Everglades House and Gardens Katoomba

Everglades House and Gardens Leura

Located in Leura in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Everglades House and Gardens is a 1930s house surrounded by 5.2 Hectares of gardens. Designed by the Danish horticulturalist and landscape designer, Paul Sorensen, the gardens incorporate winding paths and European Terraces.

Parking is available outside the entrance, and we had no problems finding a spot. Managed by the National Trust, there is an entrance fee of $16.59 per adult (in October 2022) or free for National Trust members.

Views over the Jamison Valley provide a magnificent backdrop to the gardens. On the lowest level, a small hidden grotto contains a pool and waterfall.

We spent time walking through the gardens, which contain some interesting statues. On one level, brickwork frames the mountain views, making it a favourite spot to have photos taken.

This was an interesting garden to visit, being situated on a steep ridge. The terraces and winding path make great use of the sloping land, allowing you to move from garden setting to another. We found lots to see here, well worth the entrance fee.

Backdrop to the Garden Theatre — Brickwork used to frame the surrounding landscape

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Category: Garden

Australian National Botanic Garden

Australian National Botanic Garden

Getting There

What to See

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Mount Penang Gardens