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12 April 202213 February 2023

National Arboretum Canberra Australia

National Arboretum Canberra

"Wide Brown Land" sign — “Wide Brown Land” sign. From the Dorothea Mackellar poem

Devastating bushfires in 2001 and 2003, burnt huge areas around Canberra. A recovery project to heal some of the damage included The National Arboretum, which now covers 250 hectares(618 acres in the old measurement). Although very much in its infancy, with plantings still taking pace, it’s a great place to visit.

The trees selected for inclusion are either of national significance, or endangered. Not only Australian trees, but species from overseas, such as the giant sequoia are included, although these are still saplings. One species in particular caught our attention – the Wollemi Pine which, up until 1994 was only known from fossils. A small stand was discovered in the Wollemi National Park and extensive efforts have ensured its survival. A planting of seedlings at the arboretum is part of that effort.

A large carpark caters to a large number of visitors. However, parking is not free and you pay for a ticket at the machines in the carpark. On arrival, our first stop was the information desk, where we received a map and some ideas of what to see. Within this same area is a café and restaurant where you can look over the trees while you eat.

Main Entrance National Arboretum — Main Entrance

National Bonsai and Penjing Collection

Located next to the entrance is the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection containing over 100 miniature trees. The quality of the collection and the time that must have been spent growing them is amazing. We walked around admiring the collection and taking photos.

Japanese Red Pine Bonsai National Arboretum — Bonsai

The Discovery Garden

Situated next to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the Discovery Garden explains how to maintain a garden in Canberra’s dry climate.

Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Overlooking the National Arboretum, the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion offers magnificent views over Canberra. Because it’s only open for functions, we were only able to view it from the outside.

Himalayan Cedar Forest

One of the few areas to avoid devastation in the 2001 and 2003 bushfires was the Himalayan Cedar forest. Originally planted from 1911 to 1930 it has since been extended with additional plantings in 2010. Walking through the mature trees is a relaxing experience, giving an idea of how the remainder of the Arboretum will look as it grows.

Hidden away in the trees just off the path is a metal sculpture of a tree stump.

Himalayan Cedar Sapling — Himalayan cedar forest

Forests and Trees

View over part of the National Arboretum — Tree plantings from Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout

Bending over backwards sculpture — Bending over backwards

Eagle nest sculpture — Bending over backwards

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24 March 20225 April 2022

Cook Park Orange

Looking for something to do in Orange after we arrived in the late afternoon, we discovered Cook Park. Named after Captain James Cook, the park is a beautiful escape, with shady trees, grassy picnic areas and a duck pond. Laid out in the Victorian style when designed in 1873 many of the original straight paths remain.

We walked along the avenues of trees pleased to escape the summer sun and spent some time relaxing near the duck pond. As a surprize, a metal sculpture of a dragon sits in the pond.

Many people were enjoying the grassed areas with family picnics along with others simply walking around enjoying the gardens.

A greenhouse with seedlings, ferns and orchids was interesting to walk through, with hundreds of potted plants on the shelves.

Also, in one corner of the park sits a small war memorial with an old, World War One German field gun and a cannon. The cannon previously defended Sydney but was moved here as a memorial in 1906.

A great place to relax and if you have kids, there’s plenty of space for them to run around.

Avenue of tree in Cook Park Orange — Avenue of trees in Cook Park Orange

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

30 December 202127 December 2021

Wollongong Botanic Garden

Located at the foot of Mount Kiera, the Wollongong Botanic Garden is a great place to spend time to relax and unwind. Entry is free and the gardens are open every day except Christmas Day. We parked in one of the dedicated car parks, then spent an hour walking through the different themed area.

Our first stop was the beautiful pond and rotunda. Surrounded by flowering plants and palms, it was a nice place to stop and watch the waterbirds. One was even building a nest in the lilies, dragging nesting material across the pond from its edge.

A small stream flows through the gardens, feeding into the pond. By following it upstream, we came across the Japanese themed red bridge. Built as a gift of friendship it symbolises the connection with Wollongong’s sister city in Japan, Kawasaki.

From the bridge, we followed the path through the Australian rain forest section. This is the largest section in the gardens, showcasing a range of rainforest plants as well as those from the Illawarra region.

One of the highlights of the gardens is the succulent section, because of its amazing variety of plants. This garden is positioned on a built-up mound with sandy soil, because the succulents and cacti require good drainage. Large boulders have also been added to form rocky outcrops and slopes.

While walking, look out for interesting sculptures, like the insect hotel and Mercury Fountain.

Overall, a great place to visit and relax.