Hunter Regions Botanical Gardens, NSW, Australia

Hunter Regions Botanical Gardens

Just imagine the joy of walking through a natural bush setting, and seeing more than 3,000 plant species. That is the Hunter Regions Botanical Gardens. Created and maintained by volunteers, these gardens are world class, and feature more than 30 hectares of landscaped gardens, displaying the beauty and diversity of Australian native flora.

Katelyn and her Grandpa, following animal tracks through the grounds

Beautiful water features are everywhere

Suzi and Katelyn emerge through a tunnel of foliage.

Tree Goanna or Lace Monitor Varanus varius

We suddenly came across this enormous lizard, as we rounded a bend in the path. Fortunately, it wasn't named the Tree Goanna for nothing, as it shot up the nearest high tree, at an amazing speed!

Katelyn, and her reflection in a pond

 Look up here!

...and look over there!

We also saw lots of kangaroos, like this one...

...and this one!

Australian White Gardenia

It was winter in Australia, so there were not too many flowers in evidence. But we did see a bush of white gardenias.

Reflections in a lily pond

Although the weather was less than perfect, we spent a wonderful day at the Hunter Regions Botanical Gardens, and I, for one, would certainly like to go there again.

by Elizabeth Coughlan