The Gardens, in these wintery days are bright mainly with many banksias with their upright golden cylindrical flower spikes which mix with many other flowers.

1. Firstly, the orchids in the Information Centre are varied and colourful. In pots outside the doors, kangaroo paws are also colourful, including Anigozanthos ‘Bush Diamond’ with flowers shaded grey-green.
2. Edging Banks Walk flowers include Banksia heliantha with large yellow flower heads, situated in a display pot.
3. Epacris impressa [Section 174] is a wiry branched plant with pink tubular dangling flowers. Beside this, Woollsia pungens [Section 174] crowds its white flowers towards the tips of the branches.
4. Following the road on the far side of the Rainforest, Grevillea bipinnatifida ‘Jingle Bells’ [Section 124] stands upright with large terminal red flowers among the large indented crinkly leaves.
5. In front, the QLD Silver Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 126] has dense sprays of golden flower balls amongst its silver grey foliage.
6. Close by, Banksia spinulosa [Section 126] is a dense shrub bright with golden flower spikes.
7. Below the large white branches of the Pryor’s Tree, Eucalyptus mannifera [Section 10], a grouping of Thryptomene saxicola ‘Pink Lace’ [Section 10] is clad with tiny pink flowers.
8. Taking the small path to the right, Melaleuca fulgens ‘Hot Pink’ [Section 10] has small bottlebrush-like flowers among the large open branches.
9. Follow the Main Path to view Banksia ericifolia [Section 30], an ageing shrub with long lateral branches bright with golden flower spikes.
10. Pass numerous banksias to the reach crossroads where Grevillea flexuosa [Section 25] is dense with prickly leaves and yellow cigar shaped flower spikes.
11. Grevillea ‘LadyO’ [Section 26] is a low growing shrub with lateral branches clad with bright red spider flowers.
12. The brightness of Banksia spinulosa var. neoanglica [Section 26] is eye catching; an open shrub with bright yellow flower spikes.
13. Conversely, the nearby Grevillea floribunda [Section 26] has dull rust coloured pendular flowers on its open shrub.
14. Take the road to the left crossing the Main Path then left again opposite a group of white branched Eucalyptus mannifera trees.  There, ground covers Grevillea baueri [Section 22] have lateral branches with deep red spider flowers.
15. Behind, is a group of Grevillea vestita [Section 22], open, medium size shrubs clad with white lacy flowers.
16. Follow the small path past Hakea verrucosa [Section 21], a medium rounded dense shrub clad with white, ageing to red, flowers.
17. Almost opposite, Hakea drupacea (syn. suaveolens) [Section 22] is a large rambling shrub with few ovoid cream lacy flowers.
18. Across the path Hakea bakeriana [Section 20] has long needle-like leaves and pink and cream flowers in large rounded clusters attached to old wood.  The fruits likewise are large and rounded.
19. At the end of this path, close to the Main Path, Hakea purpurea [Section 20] is an upright open shrub clad with bright red lacy flowers.                                                                                                                                                      
    To return, take the left path past the Rock Garden, ending up down at the cafe.

Barbara Daly.