Hidden in the Hills: Rock Formations
By Lachlan Turner As you descend into bushland valleys along the many walking tracks in the Hills region, the presence of large rock formations becomes quite obvious. Grey weathered sandstone bluffs are interspersed with wind eroded hollows resembling small caves. Water too has a defining influence on the sculpturing of these rocky overhangs. The continual breaking down […]
Bromeliad Bulletin
Bromeliad Bulletin: The next meeting of the Bromeliad Society of Australia will be held at the Federation Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground, Castle Hill on Saturday, 2nd of November with sales to the public from 10am and the meeting commencing at 12 noon. Our guest speaker will be Nina Woodcock who is a passionate gardener that […]
Hidden in the Hills: Observing the Grey Fantail
By Lachlan Turner Having a widespread distribution across most of Australia, the Grey Fantail is frequently observed feeding on flying insects, which it catches as it twists and turns in its agile aerial acrobatics, pursuing them from the edges of foliage trees at all levels above the ground. Its nest is built in a thin […]
Galston Garden Club Open Garden Weekend
Galston Garden Club Open Garden Weekend: 18th-20th October 2024 The Galston Garden Club is proud to present eight outstanding acreage gardens in Galston, Dural and Arcadia which will delight and inspire any visitor. You will find a host of plants of all shapes and sizes, spectacular flowering shrubs, wonderful specimen trees, water features, garden architecture […]
Gardeners, Register Now!
The Sydney Hills Garden Competition is on again in 2024. Steeped in history and intricately linked to the Hills Shire, this year marks 65 years since the first competition ran as the brainchild of Councillor Eric Mobbs. It became the forerunner of the Orange Blossom Festival, so has a significant place in the cultural history […]
Hidden in the Hills – Heath Banksia
As you might expect during winter months, there are not as many wildflowers in bloom in our bushland reserves. However, there is a particular Banksia that displays its brilliant colour alongside some of the region’s walking tracks during this time of the year. The Heath Banksia (Banksia ericifolia) can grow to around 5m tall. Its […]
Hidden In The Hills: Colourful Fungi
By Lachlan Turner Dramatic colours, unusual shapes and interesting patterns. This can describe a whole type of fungi that may be found in some of the damp areas of creekside bushland. It is easy to overlook many fungi as most prefer spaces where there is no, or, next to no sunlight. They are often seen […]
Hidden In The Hills – Eastern Water Dragon
By Lachlan Turner Beneath bushland and tree ferns along watercourses can be found creatures that thrive in the wet conditions. On exposed rocks or logs near water, it is possible to see an Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii), soaking up the warmth of the sunshine. Their strong and sharp claws allow them to climb rockfaces […]
Hidden In The Hills: Five Corners
On a recent visit to the Annangrove Community Environment Centre I decided to take a walk through the bushland near the Centre. Whilst walking along their Wildflower Walk I came across a small spreading shrub which can sometimes grow up to around 1.5 metres tall in favourable conditions. There are variations in the flower colour […]
Bromeliad Autumn Show
SATURDAY 4TH AND SUNDAY 5TH MAY AT CASTLE HILL SHOWGROUND The Bromeliad Autumn Show will be held at the Federation Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground on Saturday, 4th May between 9am-4pm and Sunday 5th May between 10am-3pm. Exquisite and rare bromeliads from local, interstate growers and collectors will be on display and for sale to the […]
