OK, once again I find myself foolish enough to risk incurring the wrath of those who disagree with my cyclopean view of the world (!), but my fave 'region' is the subtropics - a huge strip of the eastern seaboard extending (very roughly) from Coffs Harbour to Rocky. You'll find pockets further south (Sydney's Northern Beaches, for example) and north (the Atherton Tablelands has both tropical and subtropical rainforest), but its usually associated with the aforementioned coastal strip. Like the rest of Oz, I'd probably live in the Sunshine Coast hinterland if I could afford it.

I like the fact that we can grow such a wide range of plants, and are able to enjoy our gardens for the vast majority of the year. They may not be as painstakingly manicured as their southern counterparts, but that's personal preference : I prefer the wild look.

For all that, its hard not to admire the seasonal beauty of more temperate climes, and the efforts of many gardeners in these regions:

- Darling Downs/New England (brrr ...)
- NSW Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains (double brrrr ..)
- Victoria's Dandenongs and the High Country around Bright
- the Adelaide Hills
- southern WA during wildflower season
- Tassie (where do I start ?)

I'm interested to hear of your favourite garden region, whether I've already mentioned it or not. I hope to get to Tassie later this year, but there are many places in WA that I'll probably never see in person (even Adelaide is an increasingly dim memory) - its all good.

Cheers,

Artie

This year we are going further North to Broome so I will report what gardens are like there... but all of you from the other side of this great country... come and visit :-).

There are so many beautiful places in Oz but the ones that don't appeal to me are hot sandy beaches, with the lone coconut palm growing in it. Mt Tamborine here in the SE corner is another great place and Lamington Park is another actually the Gold Coast Hinterlands all over is a nice place to see also.

But my favourite spot in Qld is the Sunshine Coast and Montyville and you know why it is just like the Dandenongs in Vic except it has not got Puffing Billy or Emerald Lake but it is a lot closer...Cheers..MM.

I think my most treasured area of Australia are the sweeping vistas between Southern NSW down through Victoria. The hills and trees are just beautiful. Heaven.
Deb

Some of our smaller towns can be complete non-events at certain times of the year but utterly spectaular in the right season. The Jacarandas in Grafton, driving through Alstonville in Spring - we've all been to these little towns and its absolute magic when you strike them at the right time.

As an aside, Rocky locals suffered through the first 'cold' night this year last nite - I think it 'plummeted' to 13 deg C. I am looking forward to Spring and the Open Gardens, but I know that the arrival of warmer days will be so much more anticipated in the South. Enjoy :)

Cheers,

Artie

I love the feel of Melbourne and the Dandenongs, bacause of the many happy memories there, also the nearness of such diverse areas to go to in a short time

Central Queensland, because that is now home and I love the weather even though our summers are getting hotter. The 13 deg.C. came on us very quickly didn't it Artie ?

The Ord River area, because of the variety there. Magnificent farming areas which all of a sudden turn into
the most beautiful rugged country full of surprises.

Must get down to Tasmania one day after reading the above.
Marion

Move to TULLY :)

Cheers,

Artie