Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Friday 7 October 2011

Tuliptop Gardens - the extravaganza

A little while ago we went to Floriade, and I mentioned that I was a little disappointed.  Many of the comments I received on that post made me wonder whether I had got jaded and was expecting too much.

This week we went to Tuliptop Gardens.  I was battered and bruised and a little hesitant about being seen in public (and then I thought about it, and realised that it probably took more courage on the part of my Smaller Portion to be seen beside a battered woman).

Tuliptops was established and is maintained by two people.  Which blows me away.  The work involved is incredible.  Each year they dig up all the bulbs and redesign the garden beds and replant them in time for spring.

Unlike Floriade there is a charge to enter the gardens - $12.  Included in the entry fee is free and unlimited tea and coffee and a sausage sandwich between 11.30 and 1.  There are chairs dotted around the garden which you can move to any place you fancy.  I saw two elderly men having a nap in the sun.

There is a viewing platform.  The path up to it is quite steep, but is wheelchair accessible.  At the viewing platform there is shade and perhaps another six or seven chairs.  I love this place.

The first photo shows the path down into the gardens.


At the bottom, if you look to the left, this is your view.  The sound of frogs is almost deafening.


The view to the right.


And looking straight ahead.  Once you are down to the garden level, classical music plays through speakers attached to the trees.





The waterfall.















Climbing up towards the viewing platform.



The view down across the valley.




Back down at ground level.







Isn't it glorious?  I walked too far, I taxed my bruised leg and I paid for it the next day and I don't regret it for a moment.

37 comments:

  1. I don't much like formal borders, but man! the work and thought(and $$$) that has gone into these gardens is amazing. $12 for a wander? Well worth it.
    (And, yes, I do know how much work and pain and blood goes into getting a garden ready for the public hordes.)
    Lovely little meander-thankyou.

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  2. Wow wow and more wow! These are incredibly beautiful gardens. Wonderful shots too!

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  3. How beautiful! This looks well worth the money, the walk, and the exhaustion. I'm glad you weren't disappointed :)

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  4. AWEsome gardens and terrific photos!

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  5. Bonza photos, you sure got you're $12.00 worth :-).

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  6. dinahmow: I know what you mean about formal borders but I think the different sizes and shapes saved these gardens. And the multiplicity of trees, natives in bloom and exotics in bloom. And I had two cups of tea so I think my wander probably cost me about $6. Dirt cheap.

    ladyfi: They are amazing aren't they?

    Alexia: Well worth the money, the walk, the exhaustion and the pain. Though my doctor today tells me I do have a sprained ankle and may have a chipped tibia - so the pain is not at all surprising. Still worth it.

    Karen: Isn't it a beautiful spot? Thank you.

    Windsmoke: Given my cups of tea (I have my sausage sanger to the smaller portion) I certainly got my $6 worth. And indeed the original $12.

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  7. I that the place opposite Macks Reef Road. I lived at Bungendore for years and never went there. Bugger. It looks fantastic.

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  8. Cat Drawings: That's the one - a hidden gem.

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  9. TWO people are responsible for all that? Crikey, and to think that I just killed our one and only pot of herbs the other day...

    The photos are beautiful, EC and I think that this is better than the Floriade because it's obviously the hard work, passion and enthusiasm of two people. Twelve bucks seems very reasonable.

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  10. Kath: They have planted more than 1000 trees too. When they bought the property a fire had been through and razed it. It was established in 1997, and has gone from strength to strength. Passion and dedication like that are mind blowing.

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  11. yes what everybody said above - thanks for sharing, worth the $12, better than Floriade, etc.
    Only 1997? amazing - people are amazing. X X

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  12. Marshall Stacks: And isn't it lovely when people are good amazing instead of the opposite

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  13. Stunning! Lovely photos! Thank you so very much for sharing these... Spring! Only 6 months away in this part of the world!

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  14. Just beautiful! Oh you are making me long for springtime flowers, and here we are in the beginning of the fall and winter months! I will be posting my tulip pictures next spring, but for now I am basking in your lovely photos. It's a find place and I'm glad you shared.

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  15. Mitzi: It is so beautiful. Next time you are up here in Spring you should try and stop in.

    daisyfae: I envy you your winters, but spring has its charms. Thanks.

    DJan: Thank you. I am so looking forward to your autumn and winter photos (as well as Spring).

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  16. That is just magnificent, thank you for the photos and taking us on this trip, much appreciated!
    I can't believe only 2 people make that magic happen with all that colour, those wonderful flowers and Mother Nature!

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  17. Jayne: Thanks - it is a truly magical place and I really look forward to going each year.

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  18. wow. just wow. such an amazing, magical, colourful place, it must be such a treat for mind and soul (if not body) to both work in it and visit. wow. and wow again.

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  19. Pia: Mind, soul and body benefit. It is hard to remember the trivia when surrounded by so much beauty.

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  20. What a marvellous place!!! I had never heard of it before and it is certainly on my list for next time I am in Canberra. I loved the idea of piped music. One of my best experiences is visiting Versailles on the last day of the northern summer 31 August. Piped music - baroque mostly - seeped through the air on that glorious sunny day. The colours in Europe are softer than they are here... Thankyou for the treat.

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  21. Christine: It is only open for four weeks in spring but I think it is worth organising a visit to Canberra around.

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  22. Tulips are my favourite flowers. I'm in love with the place and thanks for sharing. If I can't visit in person, at least I can look at your photos.

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  23. Tat@Mum in search: Welcome and thank you. A truly amazing place.

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  24. Some things are more worth pain and exhaustion than other things, definitely. This does indeed look marvelous! I can almost smell the flowers. Something brighter and prettier than a wheelie bin was definitely called for. And this was much prettier.

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  25. Paper Chipmunk: Much better indeed than a wheelie bin. And less pain inducing too.

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  26. Absolutely magical! Well into October, Minnesota is now going to sleep, so seeing your world blooming like this is just so refreshing!

    Also, just catching up here, but so sorry to hear of your recent fall! Ow ow ow!! A big (but tender!) hug to you...

    Pearl

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  27. Oh my gosh, those pics were breathtaking. Wow! I would've been excited about going there too...wounded or not.
    I'm glad you didn't stay home, and were able to get out. For yourself as well as me, now. :)
    Still trying to figure out how to subscribe and make it 'stick' this time. I have no clue what is going on. Yikes!

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  28. Absolutely fantastic series of photos here. I can see I have a lot of catching up to do and am looking forward to reading your other posts. My friend Rose has left now and is actually in Australia on the second part of her adventure. I miss her already but am glad she is enjoying herself with family and friends in your part of the world. Have a great week.

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  29. Lou: I hang out to go every year. It is an amazing place. I suspect the smaller portion got some funny looks for being with a woman with a scabby face, but we both survived.

    Denise: Thanks. I hope that Rose has a wonderful time, and keeps you posted about her adventures.

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  30. What more can I add? These photos are beautiful, and I am so happy for you that such a place exists in which you can restore body and soul, and even have a cup of tea!

    I hope your injuries are healing by the time you read this and that the smaller portion has not acquired a reputation as an abuser! My Mom recently had some eye surgery that created some amazing bruises on her face and was concerned to be seen in public. I kept telling her to say to anyone who stared "well, you should have seen the OTHER guy!"

    Thanks for all these photos!

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  31. so delightful that you went together!



    Warm Aloha from Honolulu;

    Comfort Spiral



    > < } } ( ° >

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  32. Two Tigers, Cloudia: Thank you. Lots.

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  33. Gorgeous! Peaceful, etc...It is worth the money! You have a beautiful garden to visit

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  34. What a place! The pictures captured it wonderfully and reminded me of the gardens at Monticello in Virginia, USA. The work that goes into the place you went to, though. Just overwhelming.

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  35. JeannetteLS: Welcome, and thank you. The work is awe inspiring. I think someone told me that each spring they put in over a million bulbs and annuals.

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