Have been on a "blog holiday" since we left Port Macquarie! :) Now it is catch up time!
We've had a busy time since the start of November!
From Port Macquarie we headed off to Sydney, the capital city of NSW.
We had a wonderful time in Sydney becoming reacquainted with all she has to offer in her heart -
a magnificent Harbour, a stunning skyline, historical buildings and places, a manicured Botanical Garden and inner city suburbs that have taken on new lives. Peter's sister, who we stayed with for our first week, was a great tour guide and had a really fun and interesting itinerary mapped out for us.
THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
A stroll around the Botanical Gardens on Sydney Harbour at Farm Cove is really worth the time - it is easy to spend a whole day here - the grounds and gardens are not only aesthetically pleasing to walk around but you can join in a free guided walk given by a knowledgeable garden's volunteer - very informative, interesting and educational; view art works and sculptures dotting the grounds; coffee or lunch at the lovely cafe and restaurant; run, picnic or just sit and enjoy the many vistas! Beauty and Australian history planted right in the middle of Sydney!
Loved the quote in the Botanic Garden Bicentenary Brochure (2016 it will be 195 years old!) - great allusion!
"If the heart of Sydney is its wonderful Habour; its lungs must surely be its
beautiful Royal Botanical Garden."
The photos tell the best story! Click on pics to enlarge.
 ' |
| Fifty acres of beauty nestled on Sydney Harbour's Farm Cove. Awesome! |
 |
| One of the stately entrances to the Gardens - the Woolloomooloo Gate matches the Garden's grandeur. |
 |
| The original entrance gate and wall built by Governor Macquarie. |
 |
| Some of the first street trees in Australia still stand along the remaining piece of wall. |
 |
| The Australian Native Rockery softens the city. |
 |
| Looking towards the Opera House Gate and Queen Elizabeth Gate. An impressive sight as you walk in the Garden along the foreshore of Farm Cove - the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge! |
 |
| Boab Tree |
 |
| The Main Pond with the city and its iconic Centerpoint Tower watching over. The art work to the right by Bronwyn Oliver is one of two woven copper sculptures symbolising the growth of Sydney from the new colony of 1788 to the city today.The sculptures sit on an area that was once a sandy beach. The work, inspired by nature, is described by the artist as "an elemental form washed up by the tide, blown by the wind,and laden with the potential for transformation and new life" |
 |
| An impressive monument with an interesting history. Click to enlarge for its story. |
 |
| The beautiful lush green lawns sweep down to Farm Cove |
 |
| The Australian native plants line this path and surround the carving "Yurabirong" by Aboriginal artists,Glen Timbery and Vic Simms |
 |
| "Yurabirong" The carving of the dead Forest Red Gum commemorates the traditional custodians of farm Cove - the Cadigal People. Tree carvings were a means of communication in Aboriginal culture. |
 |
| A lovely vista as you wander the paths in the Garden. |
 |
| Our beautiful rainforest is captured on this path. |
 |
| This Norfolk Pine has a strong link with the history of the BotanicGarden. The tree was planted in 1935 and replaced the original wishing tree planted by Mrs Macquarie (pictures above), wife of Governor Macquarie, around 1816. In past times, people believed that trees held spirits, and today children walk three times forward and three times backwards around the tree to make their wish. |
 |
| The Wishing Tree today. Someone is making a wish! :) |
 |
| Another gorgeous view. |
 |
| The White Cockatoos enjoying the grass seeds. They like an audience!!! |
 |
| A Queensland Bottle Tree. The tree yields some water, and its seeds, stems and roots are edible. It is not to be confused with the Boab Tree. |
 |
| A Forest Red Gum |
 |
| The Jacaranda Trees were in full bloom and made a spectacular splash of colour. |
 |
| Did you ever wonder why this stunning Brazilian tree with its mauve trumpet flowers can be seen all over Sydney in November? The local folklore is that mothers with new-born babies were given Jacaranda seedlings to take home from a Sydney Hospital by the Matron, to celebrate the birth. Well there you go! |
 |
| Very picturesque! |
 |
| What a beautiful Garden and Harbour! |
 |
| Charles Moore - the man responsible for the Gardens. Thank you! |
 |
| The Garden Restaurant incorporates the wall of the original kiosk. The original kiosk burnt down! A bad chef at the time! lol |
 |
| The Wollemi Pine - very special for Australia! One of the world' rarest plants, first discovered in 1994. Aptly called a living "dinosaur" |
 |
| Click and read about tis wonder! |
 |
| The flying- fox have colonised the Garden |
 |
| Macquarie Culvert built by the convicts runs through a shady glen. The site of the first farm in Sydney was here because of the fresh water. |
 |
| A Red Cedar |
 |
| The beginnings of our wine industry |
 |
| Cunningham - an important collector of Australian plants. He was laid to rest in the Gardens in 1839. |
 |
| A possum having a nap! |
 |
| A sensory fountain in the Herb Garden area. |
 |
| A Foxglove |
 |
| Culinary,medicinal and aromatic herbs from around the world. |
 |
| A sundial modelled on the celestial sphere also nestles in the Herb Garden area. |
 |
| You can spent quite a while here looking and learning in this beautiful Herb Garden. |
 |
| A modern gazebo and the sundial. Lots of places to sit, contemplate and enjoy these stunning gardens! |
 |
| And there are more!!! Another visit!!! |
No comments:
Post a Comment