Springtime tulips at Araluen Botanic Park, Western Australia

It's spring in the southern hemisphere, and David and I are in Western Australia - famous for its spring wildflowers. Western Australia conjures up images of red desert, barren gorges and rugged wilderness, but half an hour's drive from Perth we found Araluen Botanic Park.  Araluen is one of the state's best kept secrets. In a hidden valley, sheltered from the harsh West Australian sun, the park has a micro-climate perfect for tulips, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and roses.

From 20 August until 18 September, Araluen is celebrating its annual Springtime Festival with 125,000 tulips carpeting the park grounds in bursts of colour.  If you read my post on Canberra's Floriade festival last year you will know I have a soft spot for tulips. David has a soft spot for camellias - our garden at home is full of them - so we were both in flower heaven.

Linda, who showed us around, told us this WWII army surplus truck once belonged to her father. In 1962 it got a flat tyre.  Linda's dad said 'One day I'll have to get around to fixing that' - well it is 2016 and he hasn't fixed it yet. It makes a great tulip bed though.

The History of Araluen: -

Araluen was created in 1929 by J.J. 'Boss' Simons, a businessman and politician who founded a youth organisation known as the 'Young Australia League.' Members of the league and other volunteers created the pathways, roads and terraces many of which still exist throughout the park. In 1990 the park was purchased by the Government of Western Australia. From 1995 to 2010 it was managed by the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation which restored the gardens and opened them to the public. Although the park is now under the ultimate control of the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Foundation continues its work of restoring and improving the gardens.

There is nothing quite like mass tulip plantings to give you that 'spring is here' feeling.

Part of the central lawn area.

As well as the more familiar varieties there were a few we had not seen before.

Camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and roses: -

Don't stress if you miss the mass tulip displays. They are stunning but so are the many other exotic species planted throughout the park. Araluen is particularly proud of its camellias. It is one of just 30 gardens around the world recognized by the International Camellia Society as a 'Camellia Garden of Excellence'.

We were too early in the year to see them flower, but Araluen also has one of the best collections of roses in Western Australia. Click here for information on when best to see the roses.

It wasn't all about tulips - Linda was very keen to show us this magnolia.

I struggle to understand David's obsession with camellias, but I have to confess that this is an almost perfect flower.

I couldn't resist taking this photo.

Tips and tricks and things to know: -

Where is Araluen Botanic Park?

• Araluen is 30 minutes drive from Perth. The park's address is 362 Croyden Rd, Roleystone, WA 6111.

When is it open?

• Araluen is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. The park opens at 9 a.m and closes at 6 p.m except during June and July when it closes at 5 p.m.

How much is the admission  fee?

• Admission costs $15 per adult and $7 per child (6 to 15 years old). Click here for the full list of prices.

How long does it take to see the park?

• Plan on spending about two hours at the park. 

My tips: -

• As you enter the park you arrive at an open lawn area. This is where the old truck, in my first photo, sits - don't spend your whole visit here. Explore the paths, walk up the hill and discover all the hidden, colourful corners. Some of the loveliest flowers are well away from the main area.

• Araluen has 14 hectares of developed gardens. Wear comfortable shoes - the best way to see the park is by foot - but don't worry if you aren't especially mobile, there is a conducted tram tour ($5.00/adult $2.00/child).

• Bring a picnic! Picnic tables and BBQ facilities are provided. There is also a cafe. Click here for details.

• If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of some of the local native wildlife. Kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, parrots and small reptiles all make the park their home.

Jo, a fellow blogger, at ZigaZag Blog has also posted a review of Araluen. For Jo's take on Araluen click - here .

Click on the titles below for other posts from our road trip in Western Australia: - 

• Wildflowers in Western Australia: Kings Park, Perth
• Rottnest Island
• Fraser Suites, Perth - a review
• The National ANZAC Centre, Albany
• Albany Harbourside Apartments and Houses
• 7 things to do in Amazing Albany
• 2 Weeks in Western Australia: A road trip itinerary

Other blog posts on Western Australia - 

The Kimberley

• Berkeley River Lodge: A wilderness resort in the Kimberley.

• Amalia Gorge: Would you go swimming with a crocodile?

• Zebedee Springs and Chamberlain Gorge: Disappointment in the Kimberley

• Wille Creek Pearl Farm & The Perfect Pearl

The Coral Coast

• The Abrolhos Islands Fly & Flipper Tour

• Mantra Geraldton: Where to stay in Geraldton

• Hutt Lagoon: A pink lake you can drive to

• Pinnacles and Stromatolites: Ancient formations and living fossils

Related post - Tulips 2015 - Floriade and Tulip Tops Gardens

Never miss a post - enter your email address in the 'Never miss a post: Follow by email' box in the right hand sidebar just below my profile picture.

Note: David and I received complimentary admission to Araluen.