点评:The Illawarra Rhododendron Gardens cover 13 hectares and are located in Parrish Avenue, Mount Pleasant, just under Mt Keira in Wollongong. The manicured garden is home to thousands of stunning plants including rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias as well as some rare and unusual specimens. The man made reservoir provides a central focal point and can be viewed from the public facilities which include a barbeque area and toilets. There are beautiful vistas from various picnic spots around the gardens. In mid-September the gardens were a mass of colours and new buds were appearing on the branches, ready to showcase even more beautiful blooms. A stunning white azalea walk was one of the highlights as it stretched towards the Japanese style gazebo overlooking the water. A beautiful and unusual yellow camellia was also ready to burst into flower. A paintbrush lily was a delight to view and was perfectly framed by contrasting plants. The crab apple pergola was in full blossom.
In the rainforest walk there were huge strangler figs as well as countless native species, including orchids which have been happily regenerating and reforming their own eco system after years of mining activity. The best view of the Wollongong city centre can be viewed from a secluded spot within the rainforest. Birdlife abounds. Large bird nest ferns can be seen in the treetops and there is a myriad of ferns and shrubs in the lower levels of the forest. The walking trail through the rainforest is marked with signs and is quite accessible.
The gardens are operated and maintained by the volunteers who rely on a $5 entry fee (via an honour system) and wedding function fees to fund the maintenance and development of the gardens. The gardens do not receive any ongoing funding from Wollongong Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service or other government sources.
Open Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday and public holidays from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Weddings are organised via a booking system.
翻译:伊拉瓦拉杜鹃花花园占地 13 公顷,位于普莱森特山的帕里什大道,就在卧龙岗的凯拉山下。修剪整齐的花园拥有数以千计令人惊叹的植物,包括杜鹃花、杜鹃花和山茶花,以及一些稀有和不寻常的标本。人造水库提供了一个中心焦点,可以从包括烧烤区和厕所在内的公共设施看到。从花园周围的各种野餐点可以欣赏到美丽的景色。 9 月中旬,花园里色彩缤纷,枝条上长出新芽,准备展示更美丽的花朵。令人惊叹的白色杜鹃花步道是亮点之一,它一直延伸到俯瞰水面的日式凉亭。一株美丽而不寻常的黄色山茶花也快要开花了。画笔百合令人赏心悦目,并被对比鲜明的植物完美衬托。海棠花架盛开。
在热带雨林步道上,有巨大的无花果树和无数本地物种,包括兰花,经过多年的采矿活动,它们一直在愉快地再生和改造自己的生态系统。从热带雨林中的一个僻静地点可以欣赏到卧龙岗市中心的最佳景观。鸟类丰富。树梢上可以看到巨大的鸟巢蕨类植物,森林的低层有无数的蕨类植物和灌木。穿过热带雨林的步道标有标志,非常方便。
花园由志愿者运营和维护,他们依靠 5 美元的入场费(通过荣誉系统)和婚礼活动费来资助花园的维护和发展。这些花园没有从卧龙岗市议会、国家公园和野生动物管理局或其他政府来源获得任何持续资助。
周二、周六和周日以及公众假期上午 10 点至下午 5 点开放。婚礼是通过预订系统组织的。