Since being in Australia longer than expected because of Covid, we find ourselves still together, and a whole year has passed and here we are – our second autumn, and once again to see the Golden Valley Tree Park. When you come from the east coast of the USA, you really want autumn to look and feel like autumn. Most of Western Australia doesn’t get that fall look, but there are a few pockets where it can be found.
Golden Valley Tree Park is a sixty hectare landscaped park set in the picturesque hills of Balingup. The heritage listed site has a collection of trees that was begun over one hundred years ago, and is now the largest arboretum in WA.
http://www.goldenvalleytreepark.org.au/
It’s always fun to drive through Balingup on our way to the Tree Park.Golden Valley Tree Park is a sixty-hectare arboretum, set in steep and scenic rural countryside 1.5km south of BalingupEven though it’s May and I am used to May feeling like spring, this is very much looking and feeling like autumn. The Park is divided into two sections, one area of 25ha for Australian trees and the other area of 35ha for the World Collection.Seeing persimmons.Some trees are just full of character.I didn’t know there was such a thing as a strawberry tree.The Mulberry Tree had character, too.More leaves to enjoy from the Red Oak native to North AmericaI also never heard of a Kentucky Coffee Tree either. Here is all that would fit in two shots of my phone’s camera.Besides trees from all over the world, this place has lovely views as well.Given our weather, the skies were moody as well.But I love a moody sky.
We also got to see some interesting fungus.
A classic
I am sure I saw some fairy dust.
These got attention from all the visitors at the park.
There is like a whole new world low to the ground
A mushroom village!Cork Oak from Southern Europe and North AfricaMore lovely views.Color surrounded in greenTruly a beautiful part of Western Australia in this area.I think John and I could agree that the tree park wasn’t as colorful as our first visit, but the sun didn’t help us much either. It hid most of the time.…but those clouds.The land comprising the Park was formerly two farming propertiesAutumn leaves, grand skies, being out in the country, it doesn’t get much better than this.Even more character.Here we found some colorA different kind of character.It was a farm at one time, obviously.Even the door is interesting.Leaving the area isn’t easy.
