The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah is located 1000 metres above sea level within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The original owners of the land were the Darug people, and ‘Tomah’ is reportedly translated as tree fern. It was originally covered in rainforest, and the fertile soil is attributed to ancient volcanic activity. It is located on the Bell’s Line of Road and the area was initially explored in an attempt to find an alternate crossing to the Blue Mountains.
The site of the botanic gardens has had a varied history, and in the 1930s it was purchased by Alfred and Effie Brunet and used for cut flower production, supplying into the Sydney market. They proposed the transfer of their property to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, and the park has been open to the public since 1987.
The garden is set out over 252 hectares, and is Australia’s largest botanic garden. It is a cool climate garden with plants grouped according to their geography. There are a number of different gardens for exploration, including a formal garden inspired by traditional garden design, rock garden, bog garden, rhododendrons, conifers and woodlands.
Highlights include a Wollemi pine and giant redwoods, the bright rockery plants and the wide grassed expanses, tempting bare feet and encouraging picnics and relaxation. The majority of plants are signposted, and I wandered through rose and vegetable plots, passed by the lushly lawned picnic areas, traipsed through patches of rhododendrons and azaleas, found the rockery and flannel flowers and the extremely unusual turquoise flowers of a Chilean plant.
You could easily spend all day wandering around the sprawling garden, with something of interest just ahead to encourage you on. There are various tours on offer, and I was able to get a good grounding of the park on a garden shuttle bus tour. There is a fine restaurant and cafe if you feel a bit peckish or forgot to pack your picnic lunch.
This is a magnificent place, breathtaking in its beauty, with much to offer as the seasons change throughout the year.
Where do you go for a slice of botanical beauty?
[Photo: one of many wonderful vistas from Mt Tomah]
jml297 
We usually head to the Yarra Valley for a slice of mountain views, wineries cafe’s and walks. You certainly live in a beautiful area
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Thanks, Barbara. The cafes and wineries in your area sound fabulous too. There is usually beauty somewhere. It is wet and grey here today but I spotted a lovely rainbow on my way into work 😊 🌈
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Thank you for taking me on a tour. I bet you have plants that I have never set my eyes upon. I like visiting Kew Gardens and you’ve just inspired me to re-visit it on my day out with my daughter. I also like Royal Wisley Gardens. My own garden gives me so much pleasure and since visiting Norway I even look at dandelions in a different light. I’m off to Wimbledon today but not for tennis 🙂
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Happy travels! There is something special about spending time in gardens, whether they are your own creation or the work of someone else. There is always so much inspiration in botanic gardens, but I also like wandering around the neighbourhood and seeing what my neighbours manage to grow. I’m still getting used to the colder climate and what plants can cope with the frosty mornings and occasional snowfall, and what cannot. I’ve discovered that pansies and hebe plants are coping best at the moment. I’ll be keeping an eye out for dandelions in the spring now too! 😉
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