By Amanda Connell
With the tourist tide having receded, February – the month of love and connection – invites us to once again become weekend travellers and explore the regions that make our idyllic Mornington Peninsula such a popular holiday destination.
Frequenting natural places in our locality is crucial for our mental, physical and social wellbeing, providing a sense of belonging while encouraging a deeper connection with the environment. Pair the exploration with a picnic and a partner and drive a deeper purpose to a weekend walk by maintaining strong connections with others. Whether platonic or romantic, time spent with loved ones helps reduce stress, boost mood, improve resilience and foster positive mental health.
Meander the serpentine trails through the historical property of Heronswood in Dromana. Set on 2ha, the iconic gardens invite us to mindfully explore beautiful combinations of perennials and heirloom varieties. Weave through unique themed gardens showcasing plants ideal for Australian conditions, diverse borders erupting in a full spectrum of colour, and discover the gardening traditions that focus on preservation and conservation, championing heirloom vegetable and flowers seeds. Watch dappled light filter through the canopy of the giant Moreton Bay fig or settle into stillness under the shade of the ash tree on the main lawn.
Romanticised in literary symbolism, gardens act as a space for introspection and provide reprieve from the chaos of our daily lives by way of sensory experience and the deep connection we feel when we spend time in nature. Their evocative setting creates an immersive experience, so understandably it’s hard not to fall in love with the grounds at Heronswood. The naturalistic garden, wild by design, illuminates how beauty is exemplified by working with nature, not against it.
Motivated by the love of a particular place, our desire to protect and regenerate promotes stewardship of the land on which we live. Connecting to place anchors us, making life more meaningful, healthier and secure.
Discover more Peninsula parks and gardens to explore at visitmorningtonpeninsula.org
