Our trip to the Dandenong Ranges with 33 people was started on Wednesday 29 Oct overnight till 30 Oct. With LUCKY DOOR TICKET in hand we boarded with coach driver Roger along the Northern Highway as the Yea way was blocked by a landslide . We stopped at Wallan for morning tea, the weather was supurb. On the bus a few lucky tickets were drawn with a few lucky recipients receiving gardening related prizes.

We then proceeded through Melbourne to the Ranges. First stop was to Dandenong Botanical Gardens [ formally Rhododenron ]. These were magnificent with tall trees, huge Rhododenrons, azalias, mixed plantings galore , a cafe for lunch, a vehicle to drive us around the many steep hills.

The Chelsea Gardens were next located in the Botanic Gardens, transfered here form England after winning the best garden from King Charles. This was a totally different garden with billabong, natives galore and easy paths to negotiate. The grass trees were huge.

We had to walk 450 metres to get to the garden. The sculptures of rusty art were amazing. A huge day with lots of walking we were glad to get to our motel in Lilydale and have dinner and drinks.

After breakfast next morning onto the bus to go to Red Earth bulbs in Silvan took a bit of time finding but finally went on to buy lots of goodies ie Hippy bulbs, tube stock all heavily reduced prices ~~ many of us bought of course. Then onto CLOUDHILL GARDENS for a walk around what a wonderful place with lots of steps and slopes leading to garden rooms, statues, discreet seating, and a much needed coffee. `Our bus driver then took us for a tour of the many quirky towns through the Ranges, Up to the Observatory at the top for magnificent views of Melbourne, Mt Macedon, Port Phillip Bay and Kinglake National Park . The weather was once again sensational.

Next stop ALOWYN GARDENS Yarra Glen for late lunch and tour of 7 acres of immaculate gardens . Built over 25 years it is well worth a visit, The roses were blooming, the Wistaria Walk had finished flowering, the vegetable garden was massive with lots of poppies,calandulas, foxgloves etc as pollinators for the vegetables. A credit to their hard work.

A very weary 33 adventurous gardeners made the trek home. A great 2 day trip away with quite a few plants making their way home!!!