Nestled into the Darling Ranges, Araluen Botanic Park lies around 35 kilometres south-east of Perth and is one of the city’s premier gardens. It features pockets of remnant native bush as well as exotic plant species and has been internationally recognised for its collection of colourful camellias.
Araluen Botanic Park has also been identified as a “Garden of Excellence”, one of the only gardens to achieve this status in Western Australia. Its unique microclimate has allowed for an impressive collection of tea roses, magnolias and tulips to thrive against a backdrop of native eucalyptus and red gum. It also provides a haven for local wildlife, with western grey kangaroos and wallabies seen munching on the grass and large numbers of kookaburras laughing in the treetops.
Grab a coffee on the verandah of Chalet Healy Café or make use of their barbecue facilities for a picnic on a sunny afternoon. If you’re bringing the kids in the springtime, make sure to take a scenic ride through the gardens on Araluen’s train.
Getting there
Araluen Botanic Park lies a short drive south-east of Perth, just off the Brookton Highway. Other nearby sights include the Araluen Golf Resort and the Midgegooroo National Park.