Araluen Botanic Park (Australia)
Encyclopedia
Araluen Botanical Park is located in a sheltered valley in the Darling Ranges
approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Perth
, Western Australia
, in the suburb of Roleystone
. The Botanical Park covers an area of about 59 hectares (145.8 acre). There is a small entry fee to the park, and it is open every day of the year. There is a mixture of exotic plant varieties, however the park also contains many remnants of native bush.
bought the property in 1929 on behalf of the Young Australia League
to use as a Holiday Camp.
The YAL put the Araluen Botanic Gardens up for sale in 1985 (but retained Camp Simons). A private investor was going to redevelop the land, however the local communities rallied the State government to purchase the Park. Encouraged by strong community support, the State Government purchased the Park in 1990. The Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (Inc.) became incorporated in July 1990 with the aim of working with the WA Planning Commission to restore the Park. Since 1995, the Foundation has managed the Park under lease from the Commission.
The old swimming pool is now a lake and the diving board has been removed.
.
From 1997 till 2007 an annual Folk Music Festival was also held each Spring in Araluen.
Children's Activity Days are held during school holidays.
Darling Scarp
The Darling Scarp, also referred to as the Darling Range or Darling Ranges, is a low escarpment running north-south to the east of the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth, Western Australia...
approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, in the suburb of Roleystone
Roleystone, Western Australia
Roleystone is an outer southeastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Armadale.-History:Roleystone's name originates from a property purchased by Thomas Buckingham in 1858, upon which he built a sawmill in 1866. The town was also referred to as "The...
. The Botanical Park covers an area of about 59 hectares (145.8 acre). There is a small entry fee to the park, and it is open every day of the year. There is a mixture of exotic plant varieties, however the park also contains many remnants of native bush.
History
Jack SimonsJack Simons
John Joseph Simons was an Australian businessman and politician, best known for establishing the Young Australia League....
bought the property in 1929 on behalf of the Young Australia League
Young Australia League
The Young Australia League is an Australian youth organisation which was formed in Perth, Western Australia in 1905 by Jack Simons and Lionel Boas...
to use as a Holiday Camp.
The YAL put the Araluen Botanic Gardens up for sale in 1985 (but retained Camp Simons). A private investor was going to redevelop the land, however the local communities rallied the State government to purchase the Park. Encouraged by strong community support, the State Government purchased the Park in 1990. The Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (Inc.) became incorporated in July 1990 with the aim of working with the WA Planning Commission to restore the Park. Since 1995, the Foundation has managed the Park under lease from the Commission.
Facilities
Facilities include a gift shop, cafe with tearooms and function centre, parking, toilets, a miniature train and walkways.The old swimming pool is now a lake and the diving board has been removed.
Events
Araluen hosts annual events, including the Tulip Festival in Spring and the Fremantle Chilli Festival in Summer at Fremantle Esplanade and the Fremantle Fishing Boat HarbourFremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is a commercial marina in Fremantle, Western Australia adjacent to the more recently constructed Challenger Harbour...
.
From 1997 till 2007 an annual Folk Music Festival was also held each Spring in Araluen.
Children's Activity Days are held during school holidays.