Botanical Gardens, Mount Tomah

Surrounded by Beauty

Fall is upon us in Australia.  At Sydney region, many are attracted to the seasonal beauty of Mount Wilson.  In fact, this past week, there was an influx of Mount Wilson photos in the group.  The photos are beautiful.  The colours of autumn never seizes to amaze anyone.

But Mount Wilson's location is a bit secluded.  It's at the northern part of the mountains.  It's at the Blue Mountains, it's far from the city and away from populous residential areas.  In our area, Mount Wilson is 2 hours drive one way!

Since it's far, it's best to maximise the trip.  A few friends got witty and add Bilpin's Apple Picking in the agenda.  I like fruit picking.  But I'm not a fan of apple.  If it's orange or cherry, I might go.  Actually, there is another attraction closer to Mount Wilson that is FREE to visit.

Did anyone went to Blue Mountains Botanical Gardens at Mount Tomah ?

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Visitor Centre

MAP LOCATION

Blue Mountains Botanical Gardens at Mount Tomah is about 15 minutes away from Mount Wilson.  It's closer to Mount Wilson compared to Bilpin (though Bilpin is still close!).  If you're driving at Bells Line of Road (from Richmond), you'll drive past Mount Tomah first.  If you came from Lithgow or Blackheath, you'll come across Mount Wilson road first.  Below is the map:




Blue Mountains Botanical Gardens at Mount Tomah is located at the northern part of Blue Mountains.  Depending on your location, it may take you 1 to 2 hours of driving.  But during fall, if you're visiting Mount Wilson, it's best to have a stopover here.

Botanic Map

THE BEST ADVICE GOING TO MOUNT WILSON

If you're going to Mount Wilson, I suggest you wake up early and BE THERE just as the sun rises.  Mount Wilson is a crowded place during fall and you don't want the crowd be on your photos.  I want to have a clean picture of the road without any distractions like cars and fellow tourist.  Getting there early ensures this.

If you add Blue Mountains Botanical Gardens at Mount Tomah in your itinerary, then go to Mount Wilson first then Mount Tomah.  Anyway, they're close to each other.  As Mount Wilson is more popular, they'll have heaps of crowd coming whereas the Botanical Garden will have less - which is good as well.


PREPARATION

Since the garden is several meters above ground, expect cooler temperature.  Don’t just come there with thin clothing.  At least have some fleece or jacket to combat the cold.  Visiting during autumn (especially winter) will have you prepare warm clothes.  Since it’s on a mountain, wind should be kept in mind.  I suggest to bring wind resistant jackets for both warm & anti-wind.   Wear comfortable shoes as well.  Not all roads are cemented.  It would be hard to wear high heels, I think. 

Since there’s a picnic area, it doesn’t hurt to bring in food.  You can also bring coffee if you have hot water.   But there is also a coffee shop nearby.

Relaxing Benches Before and After

BLUE MOUNTAINS BOTANICAL GARDENS MOUNT TOMAH

This was my first time visiting Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens.  I kept on hearing this from friends but didn’t paid attention.  At the back of my mind, I don't see the point in going to a Botanical Gardens this far.  Sydney has a Royal Botanical Garden, adjacent to the Opera House, so I think that's a better place to visit.  

I don’t see any other location close enough to go to.  Bilpin, which is famous for its Apple Picking activity, is also seasonal.  Thus, it didn’t register to me going to this place.

At the time of this writing, autumn is upon us.  During this time, Mount Wilson is a famous tourist destination.  This is where you get a good collection of fallen leaves, colours of fall (red, orange, yellow) and beautiful gardens!  Bilpin is also active as well with its Apple Picking.  With the stars lining up to each other, I think it’s also a good time to visit Mount Tomah as it’s along the way!  (That is, if you’re driving at Bells Line of Road)

A View of Vastness

Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens is a complete tourist destination spot.  It has all the amenities like:

• Information Centre
• Parking
• Clean Toilets
• Chairs & Tables for Picnic

The Information Centre can give you information not only for the Botanical Gardens, but to close tourist destinations as well.  It’s where you can find friendly locals to ask for information that are not published on the Internet.  It functions like a mini museum as well where you can see some artefacts and trivia.  If it’s really cold, you can stay here for awhile for confort.  I haven’t gone to it but the adjacent establishment is a coffee shop.  They serve light meals and coffee for weary travellers.  The best thing about the Info Centre & Coffee shop is that they have a deck which is directly at the side of the Mount Tomah. 

The parking is huge.  But since many people are visiting, it can run out pretty quickly.  We arrived at 9:30am.  We parked very close.  But after we walked the Garden, the parking looks full!  Just arrive early and you’ll not have parking issues.  The toilet is just at the left side of the Information Centre’s main door.   It’s a bit hidden, but there are signboards to let you know where the toilets are.  There is also a picnic area adjacent to the parking.  You’ll see many benches.

Getting Lost, Out of Words

There are several entrances to the Botanical Gardens proper.  But wherever you enter, just make sure you stop by the Infomration Centre first.  It has a viewing deck so that you can see the gardens on birds eye view and the majestic view of the Blue Mountains.  It’s a surreal landscape.  Botanical Gardens are several gardens put together either by theme or continent.  You could easily get lost on the 28 hectares of land!

Entrance and parking is FREE!

The Garden is big.  So it’s best to know your area.  You can easily get lost with your mates away (I did).  They have a good suggestion on how to walk around the garden.  I didn’t visit their homepage.  I thought that it was just a simple garden that we could stroll around.  I didn’t thought that it’s this big!  So prepare and know your drop points and landmarks.

To The Deck

This is Mount Tomah Botanical Garden list.  There are 13 groups.  I think I only visited a few of them since I concentrated on the Formal Garden.  I tried to walk around the perimeter that it’s huge.  I walked through these gardens: 

• Formal Garden
• Eurasian Woodland
• North American Woodland
• Southern Hemisphere Woodland

Although not much but I did enjoy my short walk among these gardens.  We’re also going to Mount Wilson so we didn’t stayed as much as we like.  I was taking photos and video for this blog so I stayed at one garden longer compared to anyone in my group.

Herb Garden

  

FINAL THOUGHTS

Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens is an amazing area.  If your going to Mount Wilson (which I go every year), this can be another location to visit.  On Bells Line of Road, you can visit the following spots during autumn: 

• Mount Wilson
• Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens
• Bilpin Apple Picking

Watch the video below and get a different perspective.  Please watch with Music ON!

(Please click if you want to watch at Youtube)



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