Valley Ho, Chirnside Park

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Posted 2021-03-28 by Neil Follett ⇒ follow

Valley Ho is 600 metres in length, meandering at both ends, starting and finishing at Roseman Road.

It is part of the original Chirnside Park Estate, developed in the 1960s. Most of the gardens are well-established with many featuring mature trees.

Quite a few gardens were newly landscaped with several types of Salvia in one such area with an Alyssum bush.

Some large shrubs were evident as Cotoneaster and Morning Glory bushes.

It's almost impossible not to stop and admire Grevilleas, particularly red specimens. The Gaura flower also almost demands a close inspection.

A Spotted Dove resting on a brush fence and a Magpie in a rock garden were nicely captured, photographically speaking.

Many of the houses on the west side of Valley Ho backed onto the former Chirnside Park Country Club golf course. The golf course has now been developed into a housing estate.

Near the Roseman Road end is Botanica Drive . This drive is worth a walk itself as it passes through what was the aforementioned golf course with part of one side of the drive a reserve with a meandering sealed walking path.

Not far from the start of Botanica Drive at Valley Ho is the Botanica Reserve . It is known by locals as the "pencil park" because the fence posts surrounding the playground are brightly-painted, multi-coloured pencils. It is worth a visit just to see this colourful vista.

Only one man and his dog were encountered as foot and paw traffic. A bonus of street walks is you often encounter walkers and gardeners who are often good for a chat.

What residents decorate their gardens with makes interesting viewing. Old style lamps always stand out.

Old wheelbarrows are frequently used as pot plants and do look well at home in a garden.

An unusual flower sighted was a Lion's Claw, which is a native of southern Africa.

Not uncommon, but still attractive is just a single daisy.

Roses are still in bloom in some gardens as was an Oleander.

The highlight of this walk was the appearance of a low flying large black bird which kindly landed in a nearby tree. It was a Yellow Tail Cockatoo. Truly a unique experience.