Goodbye winter, hello spring! Wattle Day is preceded by the golden stuff already colouring the Gardens.

1. Rhodanthe chlorocephala displays its lovely pink daisy flowers atop long upright stems, seen here in a pot outside the Visitor Information Centre doors.
2. On the other side is Dampiera latealata, also in a pot, displaying its vivid blue flowers on long angular stems.
3. Acacia gordonii [Section 174] is a low spreading shrub with golden flower balls attached to the lateral branches.
4. A bed of small white daisies, Rhodanthe anthemoides [Section 174], fills a vacant spot.
5. Taking the road on the far side of the Rainforest, Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Rosy Posy’ [Section 128] is a small open shrub with clusters of cream-red flowers dangling from the branches.
6. At the next corner Grevillea bipinnatifida ‘Jingle Bells’ [Section 124] continues to bear large terminal clusters of red flowers among mostly old flowers.
7. Across the road the Queensland Silver Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia [Section 126], is stunning with its clusters of soft fluffy golden flower balls mixing with the grey-green foliage.
8. Follow this road around to view, by the lovely ageing Eucalyptus mannifera, Thryptomene saxicola ‘Pink Lace’ [Section 10]. It is low and spreading and well-covered with tiny pink flowers.
9. Continue to the left towards the Rock Garden. Gastrolobium celsianum [Section 110] is a dense low spreading shrub with large red pea flowers among its leaves.
10. Close by Epacris longiflora [Section 110] is a wiry upright shrub bright with slim tubular red flowers with white mouths.
11. Leucopogon melaleucoides [Section 110] is a small upright plant with small white flowers clinging to the stems.
12. Opposite, Lysiosepalum involucratum [Section 4] has a covering of small tan-coloured buds and mauve downturned flowers over the low spreading shrub.
13. At the drinking fountain in front of the waterfall, Guichenotia ledifolia [Section 4] is a neat rounded shrub with a dense coverage of downturned pink flowers.
14. At the next corner Hakea recurva [Section 20] is a tall many-branched shrub with sharp-pointed leaves and terminal cream-pink flower clusters surrounding the stems.
15. This walk takes the road to the right where Acacia guinetii [Section 18] is a low open shrub with long lateral branches clad with bight gold flowers.
16. Edging this road are many wattles including Acacia cardiophylla, Acacia rigens and Acacia subulata [all in Section 29], all with their own shade of foliage and golden flower balls.
17. The Leafless Rock Wattle, Acacia aphylla [Section 19], differs in having spiny leafless branches with yellow flower balls.
18. Across the road hakeas include the Needlewood, Hakea macraeana [Section 20], quite large attractive trees with soft fine foliage and terminal sprays of cream buds.
19. Over the lower path Hakea bakeriana [Section 21] can be seen with large clusters of pink flowers surrounding the larger branches, which also bear large grey fruits.
20. Patches of Coronidium elatum [Section 19] are attractive, with large grey foliage and buds opening to large white daisies.
21. At the end of this road Grevillea vestita [Section 22] are spreading trees clad with soft feathery cream flowers.

This is a joyous, relaxing and interesting road to follow.

Barbara Daly