Autumn - Season of Change

I had a lovely surprise last Thursday at breakfast when my husband asked me if I would like to go down to the Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup. We had visited in early May last year - I blogged about it here - Autumn in Golden Valley Tree Park.
I thought I had missed it this year. It was so glorious seeing the trees turning on their autumn colours that I was very keen to visit again with my camera. Our trees in Australia are evergreen, and so we only see autumn leaf colours on imported tree varieties in gardens and parks. 

The view from our picnic table

We were a month later than the previous year, but it was a crisp clear autumn day and even though the trees at the park were past their prime, autumn colour wise, I spent a wonderful few hours walking through the park and picnicking under a beautiful London Plane Tree. Being a week day, unlike our previous visit, we virtually had the park to ourselves.

The area that comprises the park was first settled in 1898 by Frank and Margaret Cleverland.  Their home was built of bricks made from clay dug from nearby Yungerup Spring. The original 20 plantings of exotic species by Olwyn Cleverland during 1930-1940's has grown to an impressive world collection of over 250 species, represented by over 1000 individual specimens. The Park, which is heritage listed, is maintained by volunteers and sponsorship. From its first plantings over 100 years ago the the Golden Valley Tree Park is now the largest arboretum in Western Australia.

Sitting along the Pear Walk

There are places to walk, and places to sit, and with views like this who wouldn't. 

 The park is split into two sections: the World Collection spread over 35 hectares and the 25 hectare Australian Collection. The easy walk trails are clearly marked and most of the trees are labelled so you can identify them. There are also several interpretive panels relating parts of the park's history. 

 

Cleveland Oak

 Within the World Collection there are 3 walks - the 10 minute easy Sequoia walk which has disabled access, the Pear Walk (30 minutes) and the Oak Grove walk (45 minutes). But really you should allow much more time than this to enjoy the park properly, several hours are least. Bring a picnic and take time to enjoy your day.

We will go back in spring when the wildflowers are out to enjoy the Australian Collection. 

The Golden Valley Tree Park is only a few kilometres south of Balingup in south west Western Australia, and is clearly marked from the South Western Highway.

• Entry is free but a donation will help the work of their volunteers
• The Park is open seven days a week. Camping is not permitted
• Toilets, wood barbeques, picnic tables and gazebo shelter provided
• Walk tracks are clearly labelled
• Many of the trees are labelled in the field. Maps and lists are provided at the information shelters
• You can also access by an easy 2km walk along the Bibbulmun Track southwards from Balingup.

 
The birds were enjoying the tree park too. This is a little Scarlet Robin photographed by my husband. Photographing birds is his thing.
 

I hope you have enjoyed this little look at the Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup. If you would like to see more, please go to my previous post - Autumn in Golden Valley Tree Park or check their site on the web - Golden Valley Tree Park (includes a downloadable map).
- or "google" images - you might even see some more of my images there! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday 

Wouldn't you just love to lay in this carpet of leaves?

Life Thru the Lens 

Lifestyle Fifty Monday Linkup 
Our World Tuesday
Through My Lens 
Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Worth Casing Wednesday
Travel Photo Thursday
The Weekly Postcard