A world of fantasy and adventure awaits!
Have you ever ventured down to the
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens in Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast? This magnificent eighty-two hectare garden showcases plants native to the Sunshine Coast region and has a magic and ambience that affects all who visit. The gardens boast a medley of eucalypt open forest and creek-side rainforest, with lagoons embracing you with their tranquillity and rocky and palm-filled gullies, all adding to the adventurous allure for children.
Tranquil lagoons
Families are encouraged to take a journey of discovery along the seven hundred metre Whipbird Walk to the Whipbird Village to discover a wealth of hidden secrets. Children will be delighted with their finds of giant turtles and giant platypus, discovering that this walk is home to many creatures, not only from this realm but catering to the wildest of children's fantasies.
A magnificent Whipbird
The Whipbird Walk is a natural rough, easy walking track, which shouldn't take walkers more than thirty minutes to complete. This flat to moderate incline walk is suitable for walkers keen to see a variety of native bush in a small area with excellent supporting facilities and information. I would think that it would also be easy to access with wheelchairs.
Hidden wildlife
Children absolutely love exploring the natural world in search of hidden wildlife and artworks in the Whipbird Village, located just across from the lagoon walk. Novel and exciting additions are constantly being created and installed to the Whipbird Village, making it 'new' and fun on every visit. Make sure the family visit regularly to see how the village pods will be woven from living plants or perhaps try your balancing skills on the carved tree trunks or just sit back and enjoy a tranquil morning tea or picnic lunch in Mother Nature's embrace.
Whipbird nest and eggs
On a recent visit to the Whipbird Village, I just loved watching the children play and explore, creating their very own magical make-believe worlds. Look out for the small Children's Library with fact and fiction books featuring indigenous plants and animals - a perfect spot to relax, read or share a story!
The perfect spot to relax, read or share a story
Scattered throughout the Whipbird area are many natural and artistic treasures - explorers will need to look up, look down, look all around and peek under logs to discover more hidden gems. It's also a good idea to look out for some fabulous hand-painted very colourful stones. I have it on good authority, from a passing birdie, that artists are happily leaving their
exquisite inspirational rocks in fun places, to be found.
Children creating their own magical make-believe worlds
In addition to the Whipbird Walk, the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens boasts another seven totally different walks through nature. Nature lovers can choose between bush walks; creek walks; a stunning sculpture garden walk; a fern glade walk and even a lagoon walk. Please click the highlighted
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens link here for details on each one of these walks.
'Care for Nature Corridor', a recent workshop from the Summertime Playscape holiday program
Free guided walks are available between February to November on Tuesday mornings at 9.00am (excluding public holidays). Walkers are to meet up at the starting point at the Arts and Ecology Centre at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens.
Can you see the platypus playing in the lagoon?
Recently the
Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens hosted the summer holiday program aptly called
Summertime Playscape, for children and their families.
Summertime Playscape offered a variety of interactive installations for every member of the family to enjoy. In case you missed out on this one,
bookmark Sunshine Coast Council events link here, ensuring you'll be the first in line with future school holiday entertainment.
Magical games can be played with stepping stones
Travelling on the Bruce Highway (M1) take the exit onto the Sunshine Motorway. Take the Tanawha Tourist exit off of the Sunshine Motorway. Turn onto Main Creek Road and take the turn onto Radbourne and then Palm Creek Road. The gardens are a left turn off of Palm Creek Rd on the same turn as the Golf Club. The directions to the Botanic Gardens can be difficult to follow, so the simplest way is to follow the Golf Club signage, as both properties are neighbours!
Inspirational tiny Cob Village homes, created by children during Summertime Playscape!
Bookmark a date to walk the
Whipbird Walk at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens and get ready to create your very own magical make-believe world!
All images courtesy of author
