Older women tour garden

A group of women from the Woy Woy Older Women's Network were taken on the first guided tour of the Mount Penang Garden recently.

"On the heights behind Woy Woy a gale and rain lashed at us but we were so entranced by the spectacle that we completed the tour, guided by a knowledgable and charming member of the staff," group member Ms Enid Harrison said.

The garden was an initiative of the State Government, and the winning design was chosen from an Australia-wide competition.

"Even though the design was in the planning stages it was a delightful and interesting spectacle," Enid said.

Seventy per cent of Australian plants have been planted in the garden with complimentary plants from elsewhere.

There are sandstone and coloured rocks, timber and tree trunks and designs such as waves and white caps.

"It is a triumph for landscaping architectural art," Enid said.

"The younger members of the public should see it now and watch it later become a glorious vision."

She said the park also appealed to children with a love of adventure, with themed areas such as a "puddle park" for splashing about.

One wall featured peep holes giving framed vistas of original old trees on the property - "Queensland Box with lovely red trunks".

"The disabled of the party were offered wheel chairs and there is a cafe," Ms Harrison said.

The group finished the day out at the Japanese Gardens.

The Woy Woy Older Women's Network has outings once a month.

For more information, ring Heather on 4342 2197 or Margaret on 4341 3592.

Enid Harrison, November 26.