Looking at gardens, both private and public, is one of the joys of travel.
Such gardens almost always have something to inspire the gardener and in warmer places, special plants unable to be grown at home can cause terrible fits of jealousy.
One that brought on an attack of green-eyed monster was a splendid Fraser Island creeper (Tecomanthe hillii) in the ‘‘rare and endangered’’ section of the Maroochy Botanic Gardens in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region. Related to our akapukaea (T. speciosa), the Australian species is more flamboyant, having lipstick-pink blooms, unlike the more discreet greenish-cream of ours.
Less than a 30-minute drive from Maroochydore or Mooloolaba, the gardens are a different world after the coastal strip popular with Kiwi tourists. The 112ha gardens are lowland coastal bush, giving the visitor a glimpse of Queensland rainforest.
Don’t expect plots of colourful annuals: this botanic garden is all about local, from the kookaburra giving a raucous welcome to the hairpin banksia (Banksia spinulosa) with bright gold blooms. Not all plants are labelled, a bit frustrating but understandable given the emphasis on looking natural, especially in some of the bush walks within the garden.
There are several tracks around the Maroochy gardens — an easy 1km loop around the lagoon takes about half an hour, while others take less or more time, depending on energy levels. My favourite, though, is the Sculpture Walk.
Created in 2005 by a group of Australian and international artists who had just 16 days to complete their works, the Sculpture Walk has matured into a unique gallery in the bush. The sandstone and marble was all sourced in Queensland, and each work has excellent signage.
My favourites are two by South Australian artist Silvio Apponyi, both of Chillagoe marble, a black cockatoo and a hairy-nosed wombat. Showing how water can be used to reflect an artwork is white marble Infinity by Slovakian sculptor Jaroslava Sicko-Fabrici, an idea that could be used in almost any garden, large or tiny.
Elsewhere, wide lawns are ideal for picnicking and there are plenty of seats and tables. There are no barbecue facilities and — in an effort to preserve the bushland setting — no rubbish bins, so any trash must be taken away.
Located a 15-minute drive west of Buderim (of ginger fame), in Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha, the gardens are free, open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm (6pm in summer) and there is good parking.
