Since the last Gardener’s Getaway we’ve had a couple of short trips away as well as one which was a little longer.

The first was just two nights at a lovely B&B between Aratula and Boonah – a place called “Zengarra”. For lovers of music, it’s idyllic as Christine is a musician of some note who is only too happy to play the piano or marimba. We enjoyed her music before both dinner and breakfast in their purpose built pavilion.

The Scenic Rim is an area we haven’t explored much in the past but there are some beautiful drives and the air is so fresh. Back to “Zengarra” – it’s not near any cafes, restaurants or hotels, so it’s almost a necessity to have dinner there unless you feel like driving into Boonah. We can vouch for the fact that Christine is not only a good musician, she is also a great cook.
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Our next sojourn was another trip to the West. Flying to Longreach, we met up with Alan Smith of Outback Aussie Tours and the next morning headed for Mt. Isa. We stopped at Cloncurry on the way to visit the John Flynn Memorial Place which gives the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This is very interesting but, as is usual on most trips, we could have spent longer there.

On leaving Cloncurry we visited a homestead where we were spoilt with some true country hospitality, but we just had to find the time to wander around the garden!
While in Mt. Isa we visited the “Hard Times Mine” which gives the visitor an idea of what working underground used to be like. Kitted out in overalls, boots and mining helmets, complete with lights, we did look a funny bunch and it gave us a lot of laughs!

Would you believe that we had lunch underground in the crib room with copious quantities of sandwiches and fruit being delivered – not bad for being under ground. Back above ground we had time to stroll through the gardens around the “Outback at Isa” centre, view a video and enjoy the museum. As well as that we were able to take in the Riversleigh display to prepare us for a visit to the Riversleigh site the next day before reaching Lawn Hill.

The tented accommodation we stayed in is actually at Adel’s Grove just outside of Lawn Hill National Park and even though Bev is certainly NOT a camping person, she is quite satisfied with the accommodation and meals. There are other caravanning and camping facilities provided in a nearby area too for people making their own way around the country. Once inside the National Park, there are several interesting walks and the opportunity to canoe up to the waterfalls.

Don’t be deterred by the canoes as it’s well worth the effort.

From Lawn Hill we headed to Critter’s Camp where we met the Gulflander train (sometimes called the Tin Hare) for the ride into Normanton. We always enjoy this experience but I have to confess that a few found it to be not as comfortable as expected. We had a brief stop at the Normanton Railway Station to enjoy their lovely gardens and shop before going on to Karumba on the Gulf.

The End of the Road Motel is a great motel right on the shores of the Gulf and next door to the Tavern so it’s convenient for meals etc.

Of course no visit to Karumba is complete without going on the Croc ‘n Crab Tour. We actually went on two – firstly, in the morning we went up the Norman River and actually saw a couple of crocs. Julieanne did her usual thing of pulling up the crab pots and removing the crabs while Mark steadied the boat. Hasn’t he got things worked out!!

 

Late afternoon we again boarded the boat and headed out about 8km into the Gulf to a sand island where we had a seafood dinner, complete with beer and wine. I hasten to add that it was our group and not the operators who imbibed. What a fantastic evening watching the sun go down while enjoying crabs, prawns, marinated fish and the odd tipple.

 

It’s not a bad way to finish the day and both Julieanne and Mark look after you so well.

From Karumba we went to the Terrestrial Centre at Georgetown and onto Cobbold Gorge – another favourite spot. This time we had the opportunity to do a helicopter flight over the Gorge and surrounding country – fantastic and a great way to get an overall appreciation of the country. The trip too in the electric boats into the Gorge is always enjoyable. Such an undiscovered part of our wonderful country.

It was from Cobbold Gorge on to Einasleigh where we saw the Einasleigh Gorge in a different light after all the rain earlier this year. Quite stunning and another part of the country where tourists don’t usually stop. I should mention that we were to go on the Savannahlander train from Forsayth to Mt. Surprise but unfortunately it had broken down so it was back to our trusty coach. At Mt. Surprise the next day we visited the Undara Lava Tubes before hitting the road for Mareeba.

Along the way we enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea at a superb garden which we have visited on another tour. Once again the people and hospitality was great.
Overnight in Mareeba before visiting a few gardens in Kuranda and then down on the Skyrail for most (some preferred the train) to Freshwater and into Cairns for a two night stay.

We saw a couple of lovely gardens in and around Cairns – in fact I went back a few weeks later to film one of the gardens as I was so impressed. Watch for it on “Gardening Australia”, although I’m not sure when it will be on.

We travelled from Cairns – Brisbane “Queenslander” class on the “Sunlander” and this is a great way to travel. Having done it a couple of times previously, I’m convinced that this is the way to do it. Granted that it’s a bit more expensive, but the meals are fantastic and the entertainment is superb. You can even sing along if you want. Our group occupied all but one cabin in “Queenslander” class and the young lady travelling with her grandfather in that one, I think got quite a surprise when she saw how the older generation could enjoy themselves!

The tour was wonderful and we had a great group of people.
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Last September Bev and I visited Singapore and at that time learned that there was to be the Singapore Garden Festival in July 2010. This Festival is held every two years in the Conference Centre at the Suntec Complex and the one this year is their third.

So, with this in mind, we set about organising a visit for several members of the Queensland branch of the Horticultural Media Association.

I’m sure we all imagined that this would be a very worthwhile event to attend but everyone, without exception, was absolutely blown away by what they saw.

The Garden Festival was spread over two huge floors of the Conference Centre, with Landscape Gardens, Fantasy Gardens, Floral Windows to the World and general displays on one floor and the Singapore Orchid Show, community garden displays, a marketplace and general displays on the other floor.

Several countries entered quite large display gardens, all of which were of an extremely high standard. Jim Fogarty, a renowned landscaper from Melbourne, took out a Gold Medal for his outstanding display entitled “Daintree”. Rick Eckersley, another well known landscaper from Melbourne, also had a very impressive display.

 

There were gardens from Canada, Malaysia, Japan, South Africa, Singapore of course, and so it goes on. One very eye catching display was “The Man Who Planted Trees” inspired by the French eco-fable – it really had to be seen to be believed.

 

The people who are involved with the Gardens by the Bay project (the first stage of which is scheduled to open in November 2011) had a very large and interesting display.

We, along with a lot of other people, were very interested in the community gardens. Particularly impressive were presumably teachers who had groups of very young school children in tow. They sat the children down and went about explaining how various foods grew, i.e. they had beans in a plastic bag and then showed the children bean plants, and I have to say that generally speaking the children appeared to be paying attention.

Think orchids and the mind immediately goes to Singapore. The Orchid Show was unbelievable - so many orchids from so many organisations and countries. We spoke with one young man who happened to work in the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens. This man was extremely proud of the orchids and certainly knew what he was about.

Of course it’s not possible to cover the entire Festival in this column but I can thoroughly recommend that anyone planning to visit Singapore in 2012 should seriously consider timing their visit to take in this wonderful spectacle. Bev and I plan to return and once I receive advice of the dates when it’s on, I’ll mention it on this site.

While in Singapore we also visited the lovely Botanic Gardens and of course took the opportunity to see more orchids – this time at the National Orchid Garden. HortPark and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve were another two places of horticultural interest visited.

Both Bev and I had been to the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo previously but as none of our small group had been before, we decided to do it again. It’s fascinating to see the animals so close at hand with no barriers in the way. We also went to Sentosa Island and on the Sky Needle to get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside and islands and even though the weather wasn’t so wonderful it was still worthwhile. Unfortunately the Singapore Flyer (similar to the one at South Bank but larger) in downtown Singapore had been hit by lightning so wasn’t working so had to be content with the Sky Needle on Sentosa.

All in all we had a great time having thoroughly enjoyed the Singapore Garden Festival and taking advantage of the Food Festival which was on at the same time.

I should finish by saying that the Singapore Garden Festival, as well as having several sponsors, is heavily supported by the Singapore Government. The powers that be can obviously see the benefits of being involved with such an event and at the same time encouraging most who live in apartments to have a little bit of green on their balconies.

FORTHCOMING TOURS

We have a couple of exciting tours coming up over the next two years, the first in May 2011 when we head to the west and across to Alice Springs and down to Darwin. 

Precise details of this tour are not yet to hand but keep an eye on this space. We expect to have more information in a few weeks time. See below for sketchy details.

Longreach/Alice Springs/The Ghan to Adelaide 

24 May 2011 – Depart Brisbane for Longreach where we will meet up with Alan Smith from Outback Aussie Tours. Travel to Longreach will be on the “Spirit of the Outback” but should anyone prefer to fly, we do not expect this to be a problem. From Longreach we travel by coach across the top of the Simpson Desert to Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Uluru, etc. before boarding The Ghan to Adelaide. The tour officially ends in Adelaide as some may prefer to extend their holiday.

 

 

 

The second is a wonderful cruise operated by Botanica who are specialists in garden tours. They have put together an itinerary which I am sure will please even the most fastidious traveller. We will be cruising on one of APT's fantastic river boats which I can thoroughly recommend. Last year Bev and I cruised the Danube, Rhine and Moselle Rivers with APT so we know what to expect and they leave nothing to chance. For a brochure or more information on this cruise, contact Botanica on phone 1300 305 202 (Australia), 0800 778 449 (New Zealand).

 

Cruise – Amsterdam/Arles 

 

7 June 2012 – After visiting Floriade (held only every 10 years) in Amsterdam, we board our cruise ship to journey along the Rhine and Rhone Rivers. We pass through Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France. Having visited Floriade twice in the past, we can confidently say that this is indeed quite a spectacle. The opportunity will also be taken to visit beautiful gardens whilst on the cruise.