- Pipefest Global Challenge(7 days)
- Annual General Meeting(18 days)
- Father's Day in the Garden(35 days)
- Botanica Green Living Festival(76 days)
Rainforest Walks
A large interpretive sign just south of the Central American section welcomes the visitor to the rainforest. Plunge into a dark humid world that is the Subtropical rainforest, typified by trees which have large leaves: e. g Tamarind. The Specialty timbers subsection is to the east of the sensory garden and features species prized by woodworkers for their fine timber: Red Cedar Red Carabeen, Red Bean, Tulip Oak and Silky Oak. Look for the pronounced buttresses of the blue fig and Yellow Carabeen trees which provide mini habitats for ferns shrubs and vines.
In the Temperate rainforest the trees are generally smaller in height and diameter, buttressing is less common, and vines are wiry rather than woody. The leaves of the trees are smaller and may be toothed.
The species of the Developing rainforest are capable of sprouting from stem suckers at ground level and from suckers from the roots if they are burnt. Others may produce large quantities of seed which may be spread by birds or wind. The seed may lie dormant in the ground until wakened by a fire.
Although “Dry Rainforest” may sound like a contradiction in terms, nevertheless these occur in areas where rainfall is lower, and spring is dry. Some dry rainforest plants lose their leaves in spring, and others have small thick hard leaves, toothed leaves or spiny branches as adaptations to conserve water in the dry season.
The humid environment of a subtropical rainforest supports a rich fauna. In our Garden keep an eye out for possums, sugar gliders, rodents and small marsupials as well as birds. A multitude of insect and arachnid species occur at every level of the rainforest, and there are many reptiles to be found– skinks, geckoes and pythons for the most part.
The walk is a 300 metre stroll along paved paths and boardwalks.