Relaxing in the Botanic Gardens, Canberra

The Botanic Gardens in Canberra is an excellent place to relax

The Botanic Gardens in Canberra is an excellent place to relax

We love visiting botanic gardens whenever we travel, whether that is in our own state or interstate. Perhaps our favourite such garden is the one in Canberra. The Australian National Botanic Gardens are truly magnificent. They are spread over a wide area on the slopes of Black Mountain only a few minutes drive from our capital’s CBD. The walking tracks are all wide and easily negotiated, many of them very suitable for wheelchairs or those who are not all that steady on their feet.

On our last visit our daughter came with us. The last time she visited was many years ago when she was quite young. The gardens themselves were also quite young. She likes the natural environment and loves walking in the Australian bush. She has also walked extensively in Europe and Nepal. This time, however, she was just content to follow us around with the latest book she was reading. As we took photos of the birds and flowers she would find a suitable seat nearby and continue reading.

It was a balmy evening and we were joined by several hundred music enthusiasts. These people came in with their rugs and folding chairs, their picnic baskets and drinks and nibbles. They all settled down for an evening of musical entertainment, a part of their Summer Series of events at the gardens. Even though we didn’t join them, we still enjoyed the jazz ensemble as their music filled the gardens.

Outdoor concert, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Outdoor concert, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

More flowers of the Canberra Botanic Gardens

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra are a wonderful resource for people like us. My wife is a keen grower of Australian native plants – she runsĀ  a small nursery – so she is always adamant that we visit any gardens open to the public.

I enjoy looking at the plants and flowers too, especially looking for beautiful flowers to photograph. Parks and gardens also attract plenty of birds, and that is my main interest in visiting them. I write about the birds I see and photograph on my blog called Trevor’s Birding – go on – have a look – I’ll wait here while you look.

Flowers in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers of the Canberra Botanic Gardens

Daisy, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Daisy, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

We always enjoy visiting botanic gardens, no matter where they are. We have found over the years that most gardens have an excellent range of plants and flowers which keeps my wife interested. I also enjoy taking photos of the flowers. An added bonus is the often prolific bird life, which interests me. I use my observations to write about on my birding blog.

One of the best – arguably the very best – such garden is the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. We have visited these gardens on every occasion we have been to Canberra. In 2007 we spent a whole day there and only covered about half the gardens.

In this post I will feature some of the flowers I photographed on our visit earlier this year. (You can see other flower photos in the posts published in the previous few days, and also in the coming few days.)

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flowers, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Australian National Botanic Gardens

Kangaroo Paw flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Kangaroo Paw flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens

The Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra are worth a visit at any time of the year. We have visited on a every occasion we have been to Canberra and never tire of these magnificent gardens.

Set on the slopes of Black Mountain and only a short distance from the heart of Canberra, these extensive gardens are a tribute to our wonderfully diverse and beautiful plants and flowers. Most of the paths are very easy walking but some can be a little steep. Many are wheel chair friendly which makes walking for the rest of us a breeze.

I enjoy the bushland setting of the gardens; you forget that you are a five minute drive to the centre of our capital city. The birdlife is prolific with many wonderful species. They are used to people in large numbers, so photographing them I find very rewarding. There is always something flowering too, and I enjoy getting photos of the many plants in flower.

Eastern Spinebill on Kangaroo Paw flowers, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Spinebill on Kangaroo Paw flowers, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Kangaroo Paw flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Kangaroo Paw flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Sturt Desert Pea, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Sturt Desert Pea, Australian National Botanic Gardens

After our short holiday in Sydney last year we drove to Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. We were visiting friends of our daughter. After unloading the car we had a few hours in the afternoon free so we decided to head over the the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

These botanic gardens would have to be our favourite such garden in Australia. On our last visit in 2007 we spent a whole day there. This time we only had a few hours on a beautiful summer’s afternoon and evening.

I had a great time photographing birds and flowers. My wife concentrated on the plants only while our daughter found several comfortable seats to read a book.

Banksia flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Banksia flower, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Flower in the fern gully, Australian National Botanic Gardens

Flower in the fern gully, Australian National Botanic Gardens