In Italy the colors are starting to warm up even as the temperatures drop: it’s the scent of autumn in the air, but not everywhere in the world does nature fall asleep; in Australia the sunny season is about to begin. In Melbourne spring also brings with it the blooming of cherry trees. And you don’t necessarily need to attend paid festivals or travel far from the city to admire them. In Bulleen, about half an hour from the heart of Melbourne, there is a green corner where you can stroll among clouds of white and pink petals for nothing: it’s the Banksia Park Cherry Grove.
How to visit the Banksia Park cherry trees
Visiting Banksia Park is free; entry is free. Anyone can access it during the day and reach the Cherry Grove, the part of the park where the cherry trees are in bloom. The blooming period can vary from year to year depending on temperatures, but the most spectacular moment typically arrives from late September to October. In the Cherry Grove there is a circular path that lets you stroll among the trees and observe the blossoms from different vantage points. If you have time, bring something to eat: the park features picnic tables and wide meadows where you can pause for a break.
Dogs can also accompany you, provided they are kept on a leash. Next to the woodland there is also a fenced area of about one hectare where they can run off-leash. More than a hundred specimens, including the famous Prunus serrulata with the well-known white and pink clustered blossoms, include Yoshino cherry trees and double-flowered varieties such as Shogetsu and Shirofugen. There are also some ornamental apple trees, which help broaden the spring color palette.
The story of the cherry trees gifted by Japan
The charm of this place doesn’t rely solely on the bloom. Behind Melbourne’s Cherry Grove there is also a story that ties Australia to Japan. The project began in the 1980s when the Japanese government donated about 100 trees on the occasion of a visit by the then prime minister; over forty years the park has become an attraction, and a group of volunteers, formed in 2015, helps with the blooming and the maintenance.
Where Banksia Park is located and how to get there
Banksia Park is located in Bulleen, in the northeastern part of Melbourne, along Templestowe Road. From the city center you can reach it by car via the Eastern Freeway: about 30 minutes, traffic permitting. Several parking areas are available nearby the park.
If you prefer public transport, you can take the train to Heidelberg Station and then continue with bus 903, getting off in the Bulleen Road and Manningham Road area. From there you’ll have to finish the journey on foot. If you prefer to move by bike you can reach it by following the Main Yarra Trail, allowing you to enjoy a nice riverside hike and, once the walk ends with the spring-scented air, you can explore the surroundings continuing toward Banksia Park or treating yourself to a cultural moment at the Heide Museum of Modern Art.
