The best-kept secret garden

By Vicki Christie, Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens secretary

The Illawarra’s best-kept secret is the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens, located below and within the magnificent Illawarra Escarpment in Parrish Ave, Mt Pleasant.

The gardens were established in the late 1960s by Donald Stanton and William Mearns and a group of volunteers in the Illawarra Rhododendron Society. Today they are run by a small group of volunteers. We are not funded by government, council or National Parks, we rely on your $5 entry fee (via an honour system) and function fees.

The lower garden has a large lake, huge grassed areas, pavilions, a sunken garden and a large unique collection of rhododendrons, vireyas, camellias, magnolias and many companion plants. Our regular volunteers gather on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9.30am and welcome newcomers.

The upper rainforest area (behind the deer fence) houses huge figs, red cedars, native orchids and other significant rainforest vegetation. We have established a monthly bush regen working bee on a Saturday and Tuesday. Walking tracks have been created in the rainforest area for hikers.

The gardens are open Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday and all public holidays, 10am-5pm. To volunteer, contact Vicki, Rhododendron.Illawarra@gmail.com or 0418 164 646.

Book functions via 0490 069 360