^"'''^^iT^^^'J CoGHiLL, Excursion lo Warrandyle. 89 



EXCURSION TO WARRANDYTE. 



The excursion to Warrandyte on Saturday, 12th August, was 

 arranged mainly to see the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealbata, in 

 full bloom, and the outing, like that of two years ago, took 

 the form of a motor drive, two large motor coaches being filled 

 with a party of forty-two members and friends. Owing to 

 the threatening state of the weather it was decided to go via 

 Heidelberg and Templestowe instead of Box Hill and Ringwood, 

 as had been intended. Wattle time and showery weather are 

 often concurrent, and this year was no exception. Rain had 

 fallen in the morning, and again during the drive, consequently 

 the roads were slippery, and the drivers had to proceed some- 

 what slowly, and exercise considerable care to prevent their 

 vehicles skidding. On account of the rain the distant views 

 (for which the road is so famous) were quite lost, and, from the 

 lack of sunshine, the gold of the wattles was not brought out 

 in that glorious contrast with the foliage of the trees which 

 makes them such objects of beauty in the flowering season. 

 However, the wattles were at their very best — no trees half or 

 nearly over ; those that were not in full bloom were just ready 

 to burst into all their glory. Our first glimpse of the golden 

 blossoms was secured as we crossed the Yarra at Heidelberg, 

 and here and there through Temi)lestowe further glimpses were 

 obtained. An occasional tree of the Golden Wattle, Acacia 

 pyciianf/ia, laden with its large golden balls of flowers, was 

 seen as we passed through the park-like country about Temple- 

 stowe. At the Mullum Mullum or Deep Creek the Silver 

 Wattles again made a fine show. Further on a smaller acacia, 

 A. diffusa, with rigid, thorny leaves (or phyllodes), brightened 

 the countryside with its yellow flowers. A. acinacea was also 

 seen in considerable quantity, but few of itS' flowers were 

 showing colour. The heliotrope flowers of the climbing Hovca 

 hcterophylla were conspicuous among the shrubs on the road- 

 side. The view of Warrandyte from the old road over Mel- 

 bourne Hill at this time of year, with the river outlined in 

 yellow, is charming in the extreme, but unfortunately the new 

 road, cut round the hillside at an easier grade, avoids that 

 vantage point, consequently visitors would do well to seek 

 out this spot for themselves. We proceeded through the 

 township to about a quarter of a mfle beyond the bridge, where 

 there were some splendid trees in full bloom. Having feasted 

 our eyes sufficiently on the glorious scene, we returned to the 

 Grand Hotel, and, on the spacious balcony overlooking the 

 river, did ample justice to the good things provided by the 

 president and others. It was almost dark before we were ready 

 to start for home, which was reached via East Doncaster, 

 Blackburn, and Kew. The outing was a delighftul one, and 

 had the day been brighter would have been all the more 

 enjoyable. — G. Coghill. 



