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Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

 

Southern Wetlands

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.

Rotunda

ABOVE: The Rotunda  BELOW: Succulents Section

Succulents

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.

Orchid

ABOVE: Orchid  BELOW: Bromeliads

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/

Tree Ferns

ABOVE: Tree Ferns and Palms

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Australia: Barrington Tops National Park – Gloucester Tops

Gloucester River at Gloucester Falls on the 24th November 2006

 

Gloucester River Falls

 

The photo above was taken during a visit to Gloucester Falls with Rebecca on the 24th November 2006. It was just a quick day trip which we both enjoyed.

Warrumbungle National Park: Grand High Tops

Today’s photo is a panoramic shot taken from the Grand High Tops overlooking the Warrumbungle wilderness. This shot includes The Breadknife in the middle of the image and Belougery Spire dominating the right of the image. The photo was taken during my recent visit to the national park in December 2011.

Warrumbungle National Park is found in New South Wales, Australia, not far from the towns of Coonabarabran and Gilgandra.

 

View from the Grand High Tops

Banksia at Scott’s Head

Today’s photo was taken during my recent visit to Scott’s Head in New South Wales, Australia. This is a native wildflower known as a Banksia.

 

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve: Coffs Harbour Jetty

Today’s photo was taken during my recent visit to Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve in New South Wales, Australia. The photo shows the view from Muttonbird Island towards Coffs Harbour Jetty and Coffs Harbour.

 

Moonie Beach Nature Reserve

Today’s photo was taken during my recent visit to Moonie Beach Nature Reserve in New South Wales, Australia. The photo shows the view from a headland in the reserve.