Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

 

ABOVE: The Southern Wetlands Boardwalk – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

Late last week I decided I should do something with the final day of my annual leave that I had taken this time round, so I thought I’d pop into the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens near Raymond Terrace in New South Wales, Australia. I had been here before, but that was a long time ago. I wasn’t impressed on that first visit, so after more then a decade had it improved? Well that was the question I was keen to answer.

ABOVE: The Rotunda  BELOW: Succulents Section

There was a $4.00 ‘escape’ fee, which would allow a token to be purchased and then the boom gate would rise once it was placed into the proper slot at the exit. So no entrance fee, just an exit fee. I was willing to pay this for a quick look and wander around the gardens.

So has it improved. Yes it has thankfully, but I still don’t rate it as brilliant or even what would come close to mildly impressing me for a botanic gardens. It is probably on the right track, but has a long way to go. And here’s the thing I think – a botanic gardens really needs time to develop, so those who will really benefit from the gardens are those who will visit it in about 25 years or so, when the plants have been allowed to mature somewhat across the gardens. It will also allow other pieces of infrastructure to be completed and for the gardens to achieve some ‘polish,’ so to speak. The central section of the gardens is very good and has been progressing well over the years (yes, it is a relatively young botanic gardens) – areas such as the bromeliad section, orchids, etc – even the succulent section a bit further away.

ABOVE: Orchid  BELOW: Bromeliads

So should you go? Look, it’s only $4.00 to get out of the place once you are there and you can get to see some great plants and do some good, easy walks – especially into the natural bush and wetland areas. So I’d say yes, just don’t expect a fully developed botanic gardens.

For more on the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens visit:
http://www.huntergardens.org.au/

ABOVE: Tree Ferns and Palms

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Dorrigo National Park: Rainforest

Today’s photo was taken during my recent visit to Dorrigo National Park in New South Wales, Australia. The photo was taken on the Rosewood Track within the Never Never region of the national park. This is a section of rainforest with a small stream flowing through it.

 

Ownzee: A New Blogging Platform

OpenZine has now started a Blogging Platform called Ownzee, which seems to be similar to its magazine making platform. The problem from what I can see, is that there is a serious lack of documentation about ownzee. There is no ‘about’ section, no ‘how to’ section, etc. Have a look and see what you think.

Visit ownzee at:
http://www.ownzee.com/

 

Gloucester River Camping Area: Barrington Tops National Park

This photo was taken at the Gloucester Tops Camping Area in the Gloucester Tops section of Barrington Tops National Park.

Blogging: Lessons on Blogging from WordPress

WordPress is one of the best (the best in my opinion) blogging platforms there is. You can install WordPress on your own site or have a site that is hosted by WordPress itself. I have quite a number hosted at WordPress and cannot praise the platform enough – I love it.

WordPress has a whole section of their site dedicated to lessons about blogging:

http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Lessons

Gloucester River Falls: Another Shot

This is just another shot taken from the Gloucester River Falls area on the Gloucester River in the Gloucester Tops section of Barrington Tops National park.

This photo shows just one of the many numerous smaller falls along this section of the river.

Gloucester River Falls: Above the falls

This picture is of the Gloucester River above the falls pictured in the last two posts.

There are a series of falls along this stretch of the river, including a section I have been unable to reach because of the drop. One day I hope to trace the river upstream and locate the last section of the falls and get some photos.

The area photographed includes some great little spots for a dip on a hot day.

Gloucester River Falls: My Favourite Spot in New South Wales

I thought that I might post some photos from my archives over the next week or so – specifically of a place I really love. The Gloucester River Falls on the Gloucester River of course, are located within the Gloucester Tops section of the Barrington Tops National Park in New South Wales, Australia. This area is my favourite spot in New South Wales.

Over the next week I hope to post photos of this area – not just the falls, but the surrounding area as well. I hope you enjoy them.

This particular view is a spot I would have to say is my favourite spot of the Gloucester Falls area. I have been trying to get the ‘just right’ shot for years.