October: A Garden Portrait
Japanese stroll gardens are places of contemplation and harmony where visitors can wander along meandering paths through thoughtfully planned landscapes. The Japanese Garden at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba is the largest stroll garden in Australia. Its traditional design includes large rocks, a tumbling waterfall and a central lake surrounded by sweeping lawns and sloping beds of Japanese and Australian native plants.
Children come to feed the resident ducks, artists can often be seen recreating the serenity on paper and, on most weekends, wedding ceremonies take place here. Whatever the activity, the garden lives up to its name – Ju Raku En – public place of peace and longevity.
The Japanese Garden is located in Regent Street, Darling Heights, Toowoomba and is open daily 6:00 am to dusk. Entry is free.
See more garden portraits at the earth laughs in flowers
What stunning gardens
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It is a beautiful place, Miriam.
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These Japanese gardens are stunning. I’d love to feed the ducks here!
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Monkey would enjoy it too. Every year I bring my class here for a treat. It’s just a short walk from my school. The children love feeding the ducks.
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Hey, that post leaves me feeling foohisl. Kudos to you!
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Thanks.
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Beautiful garden. A nice bench, and I could be happy and relaxed while I contemplate the meaning of life. 🙂
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It is beautiful in every season too.
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This garden does look serene! And I love the message too. I can enjoy a traditional Chinese Garden [if I pay for the pleasure] not far from my home, but it is quite small and gets rather crowded, so it’s sadly not at all serene!
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We came across a very large Japanese garden elsewhere which was quite costly to enter but we thought why would we pay when we have this one at home.
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What a wonderful place to spend a few hours. I can imagine sitting on a bench with a good book, just enjoying the tranquility. Thank you so much for sharing!
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It is very peaceful, even when there are lots of visitors.
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I can imagine!
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This looks like it has been transported straight from Japan. They did a marvellous job 😀
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It took three years to plan the garden and another six years to create it. I guess they wanted to make sure it was perfect.
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It looks truly fabulous, Carol. I love the style and feel of a Japanese garden. 🙂
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Me too.
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I like the idea of calling a garden a ‘stroll’ garden and both the Japanese and Chinese ones always convey tranquillity and calmness, where you can gather your thoughts and de-stress. Every city should have one! Thanks for the share Carol. And the lovely stroll 🙂
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There are also courtyard gardens, meditation gardens and special ones with teahouses. Don’t they all sound lovely.
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Oh yes, places to relax in and breathe.
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Wow, how beautiful. It was a great joy to my eye to admire Your photos. Thank You.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing this lovely garden with me.
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What a beautiful garden! That’s the kind of places that I would love to visit.
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I enjoy seeing peaceful places like this too.
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A stroll garden sounds very restful, and just looking at your photos is calming. It’s a beautiful place.
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This is one place we always take visitors to…hint hint!
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It’s on my list now! 🙂
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I love Japanese gardens….and generally seek out Botanic gardens wherever we go. The last one that comes to mind is the Chicago Botanic gardens… which also has a lovely Japanese garden. Your photos really capture the peace and tranquility and simple beauty of Japanese gardens.
Peta
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Thank you Peta. I’m pleased you enjoyed the photos of our beautiful garden.
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How beautiful! ❤
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It is lovely. Each season brings something different.
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Beautiful, and it positively invites reflection and contemplation. I’ve never been to Toowomba (I live in Sydney) but this could make it worth a visit.
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I recommend a visit in September when all the gardens are blooming. Usually the weather is very nice then too.
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What a fab lovely japanese garden & to walk in there for free! Good!
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It’s great that we can just walk in for no charge.
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ooh yes! 🙂
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I definitely want to go here. How beautiful!
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Pingback: Peace and Longevity – Marsha Ingrao
Back for another stroll. Yours is obviously much bigger than the one I visit. September you say?
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In September all the azaleas are in flower, but it is very pretty at any time of year.
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