Weekend Walks

Spring has sprung and cast her vibrant green hues over the landscape. And today, I’d like to share with you some photos of our local scenic delight – the Alfred Nicholas Gardens.

  How lovely is this entrance?

This once private estate is now thankfully, open to the public and has become our favourite walk every weekend.

Situated in lush natural forest, the gardens range from wild, stunning deep green fern gullies with streams that are cool and damp all year round, to secret nooks with fishponds, to expanses of lawns dotted with majestic native and deciduous trees.

With 13 wonderful acres to explore, we never get tired of seeing it in all seasons. From the magical russet red/gold palette of autumn, the dark emerald cooling shade in summer, the cold, crisp beauty of winter and the verdant greens in spring.

As we walk along the many linking paths, we are surrounded by sentinels of mighty Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus Regnans), their 100 metre tall canopies towering overhead. Truly impressive!

The more cultivated parts of the gardens have many beautiful exotic trees and shrubs including, rhododendrons, azaleas, viburnums, magnolias, ginkgoes, cherries, elms, maples, oaks and liquidambars.

And, what I love most is the secret surprise - a truly lovely picturesque lake with waterfall and Japanese inspired bridges linking to a sweet little grassed island.

Tucked away at the end of the lake is a quaint little iconic boathouse. Reflected in the serene waters, it is one of the most photographed buildings in Victoria.

We always like to get there super early in the morning and have this enchanting realm “all to ourselves”… just for a wee while.

At any time of the year, it's like a little magical wonderland.

 And look who found a ball!
Left for him by the park fairies :)