A short stroll through autumnal foliage, whether clinging to a branch or littered below,c an relieve a heightened nervous system with a few simple steps.Follow the pin oak-lined path towards the summit to admire the striking autumn colours of the sharp lobed leaves characteristic of the oak. Listen to the wind rise up, over and through the branches of the verdant landscape to the 314m summit from the sea below.
Take in the spectacular, sweeping views of the Melbourne skyline across Port Phillip to the You Yangs and further south toTheHeads. By engaging this ‘panoramic vision’ we can indirectly stimulate the vagus nerve, which is crucial in regulating the nervous system and promoting relaxation. Explore the 1.8km circuit walk through the indigenous garden, past William Ricketts’ sculptures and through dense bushland where eastern grey kangaroos lazily graze by the trail in morning fog. Listen to the chorus of bird life or glimpse the majestic wedge-tailed eagles soaring over their native habitat.
Discover calm beneath tall elms, darkened bark and deep ridges denoting their age. Marvel at the fleeting interplay of light and shadow as sunlight filters through the tree canopy, evoking a sense of tranquillity and connection with nature. Japanese term this concept ‘komorebi’ – “sunlight leaking through trees”. It’s an ideology to inspire us to slow down, pause, and recognise the small moments that colour the impermanence of all life.
Autumn at Seawinds is a visually stunning time to reconnect with nature, providing opportunities to embrace change as a natural evolution of who we are. To grasp that everything is in a state of flux encourages a more mindful, more present and less attached way of living: a salve for a busy mind.
Explore the many trails that traverse the diverse landscape.
