Auburn

Auburn Cherry Blossom Festival

Yesterday on 22nd August, 2019 we caught the train down to Auburn and then boarded a bus bound for the Auburn Botanical Gardens for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.  It was nice to be back in familiar territory, as we once lived in Auburn and remember when the Gardens were first opened  on the site of an old rubbish disposal area.  The Gardens have come a long way since those first days and the trees are now all well established and it is a particularly peaceful and  inviting place to be.  However, at this time of year when the Cherry Blossom Festival is on, it is overrun with visitors and we decided that next time we visit we will choose a quieter time when not so many people are crowded on the pathways.  It was nice to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, such a magnificent sight.

The Auburn Botanic Gardens were established in 1977 and covers an area of 9.7 hectares.  There are two lakes, a waterfall and bridges.  Duck River winds through the Gardens.  Some of the paths are narrow and it was a bit hard to manoeuvre with so many people on the path yesterday. 

The Gardens have been beautifully landscaped and it is an oasis of both man-made and natural beauty in the middle of suburban Sydney.

 A view of the Lake in the Japanese Garden.  The Garden features traditional Japanese landscaping with beautiful decorative red bridges, ornamental trees and flowers.  The Lake has ducks, Geese and Koi carp.

 Lots of people looking at the row of Cherry Blossom trees through the Japanese archway.  It was Seniors Day and there were lots of older people on the paths with walking aids, wheelchairs and walking frames!

Some of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms, giving a magnificent display along the pathway.  In Japanese culture, the Cherry Blossom symbolises the fragility of life and its beauty.

There are a range of activities and entertainment in the Gardens throughout the nine days of the Festival, including demonstrations of Ikebana (flower arranging) Kendo (Martial Arts), various musical performances including Koto and Taiko drumming and also examples of the fashion subculture Cosplay.