The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens are unusual. Located ten minutes drive from the town of Mildura, the gardens are an excellent example of a successful community project. Although supported by State governments and local councils, the creation of the gardens was the idea of local residents who raised the funds and undertook much of the work to make the idea a reality. This is not just an attractive community garden though; it is a garden with full botanic status and activities. A visit to the gardens will enable you to see plants from many different regions of the world as well as a wide selection of Australian native plants. There is a lovely rose garden. Water conservation is essential due to the semi-arid setting and the gardens provide excellent examples of measures that can be taken. An old wool shed has been rebuilt in the grounds and there is a small cafe and gift shop run by volunteers with plants for sale. Perhaps unique to a botanic garden is the Bush Chapel, an open-air chapel with tall eucalypts for walls, which provides a wonderful feeling of serenity and calm.

www.aibg.org.au/
+61 3 50233612
River Road, Buronga NSW 2739, Australia
Google map: bit.ly/lbbWyq

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These relatively new gardens (opened in 2006) are both a visual delight and an uplifting educational experience at any time of the year. A firm commitment to the environment and the Aboriginal heritage of the land is evident as clearly marked walking tracks take you on a journey of discovery of Australian landscapes such as 'the red sand garden','the rock pool waterway', 'the arid garden' or 'the eucalypt walk'. Each area portrays the the subtle beauty and diversity of Australian native plants. A number of themed exhibition gardens show clever ideas for a suburban garden and expert volunteers are available to answer questions. Add a native orchid house, excellent visitor centre, garden shop, cafe, picnic and barbecue areas, bush walks to discover birds and wildlife as well as helpful information guides, you have a full-day visit that leaves you inspired and appreciative of the rugged natural beauty of Australia.

1000 Ballarto Road, Cranbourne, Victoria, Australia 3977
+61 3 59902200
www.rbg.vic.gov.au
Google map: bit.ly/iP6IKf

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On the main Hwassa/Dilla road, a few kilometres before reaching Dilla, stands a rusty iron notice with the unlikely proclamation of 'swimming pool' and an arrow pointing in the direction of a dirt track dipping sharply down to the right. The track is steep, rough and winding but can be negotiated by local taxi and a careful driver in about ten minutes. The 'swimming pool' is still a figment of someone's imagination or ideals but the hot springs are real and wonderful. Don't expect any luxuries (take your own towel) but for 10 birr (40 pence) you are given a ticket and a small bar of strawberry or lemon scented soap which entitles you to have piping hot shower and/or bath with enough steam in the small wooden cubicles for your own private sauna; stay there until your heart is content or the heat drives you out. Recover with chai or boona (tea or coffee) purchased from the small kiosk/ticket office and then walk the short distance along the river to the waterfall and natural pool where you can indeed swim.Magical at any time but particularly so if you are unlucky as we were, to be staying for three days in a hotel in Dilla without a functioning water supply!

Dilla is a moderately sized town in the south of Ethiopia,about two and a half hours drive from Hwassa.There is a sign stating 'swimming pool' on the right hand side of the road approximately 2 kilometres from Dilla as you approach Dilla from the main Hwassa/Dilla road
Google map: bit.ly/h0HzqK

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