By Derek Schlennstedt
Autumn is the season that celebrates transformation.
It’s a time where our forests palette of colours transcend from baked beige into vibrant hues of glorious oranges, reds and yellows.
For many, autumn is their favourite season and where better to experience it than the cool climate forests and brilliantly vibrant gardens of the Dandenong Ranges.
With some warmth in the day, cool nights, and a beautiful array of trees and gardens, the Dandenong Ranges is an autumnal paradise.
A divine spot at any time of year it is during autumn that the ’Alfred Nicholas Gardens quite literally shine.
If you can be there during the ’Golden Hour’ (the hour before sunset) the sunlight strobes through the foliage of various deciduous trees which literally shine.
While the foliage of the maples and beeches change at the gardens, the most spectacular sight is down by the lake where the golden ginkgos create a postcard view and reflect in golden beauty off the lakes surface.
Meanwhile, though not as popular, Pirianda Gardens is another spectacular spot for colour offers more isolated Steep paths which meander through a variety of trees turning vibrant red.
Pirianda is one of the quieter gardens in the Dandenong’s to visit, but well worth the effort.
Autumn in the Dandenong Ranges, requires little time and little planning as the colours stick around for some time. So grab some boots and explore the vast array of colour on offer.
One need not travel to the gardens either, for a simple walk through Sherbrooke forest provides plenty of colour and excitement.
Even the roads that connect quaint towns across the mountain provide quick glimpses of colour for visitors.
