Autumn Colours – Explore Golden Valley Tree park
Two kilometres south of Balingup, WA, on the South Western Highway, you can discover Golden Valley Tree Park, a unique collection of beautiful and interesting trees from all over the world, grown in a landscaped setting. The aim of the park is to create an inspirational place for all to enjoy the beauty of nature and celebrate trees.
Golden Valley Tree Park
Autumn is a unique time to experience the beauty of a deciduous landscape in its transition to dormancy. This change involves a stunning procession of colours ~ oranges & lemons, golds, reds, burgundies and russets. Many ask when to expect the best autumn display. The answer is that this depends on the year. Generally, the prettiest moment is late April to early May. However, the autumn colour is a slow procession that starts in late March and continues through to June. As the grasses green up with rain, the colour contrast intensifies.
Enjoy a Forest Bathing experience on any of the six designated trails through the tree park. Photographers will find the view from Pear Tree Look-out very inspiring.
Walk through the World Collection to view famous autumn colouring trees. The grove of maples includes the Canadian Red Maple, Japanese and Trident Maples and the lovely pink of the Silver Maple. The vivid avenue of Chinese Pistachio is usually an early stunner, followed by the Tupelos and the American Swamp Cypresses, which, unusually, are deciduous conifers. Perhaps the biggest favourite are the old Persimmon. All are found near the Oak Grove Walk track.
The Oaks themselves, as well as the Liquidambars, take their time to turn colour. The Scarlet Oak and Pin & Red Oaks’ blaze of colour will not intensify until late April, whilst the English Oak are surprisingly lovely in late May and early June when their russet tones warm the wintering scene.
The Park has great picnic facilities (with wood supplied for BBQs) and an area where kids can play safely. Walk trails criss-cross the Park and lead to spectacular scenic lookouts. For the less adventurous, there is a 10-minute walk trail, which is easy to navigate! The Bibbulmun Track runs right through the centre of the Park. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Only a two and a half hour drive from Perth, what are you waiting for? Pack up the kids and head down there this weekend before the last leaf falls.
