Finding joy in unexpected places

Spring has sprung – with a number of surprises to spot along our walks through the local community.

If you’ve been wandering at Koolunga Native Reserve in Ferntree Gully recently, you may have spotted that a Children’s Treasure Hunt Trail has begun. While last year Koolunga was home to a colony of spoon people, this year images of various cartoon characters have been hidden throughout the reserve just waiting to be found. Once you find them, each character poses a trivia question for kids to answer.

The idea was born while our playgrounds were closed as a way to keep children entertained. This included the spaces at the Arboretum and the new playground at Quarry Park, which had only just opened last year.

At Koolunga you may also notice that the first daffodils of the year have started to bloom. As many know, up until the 1970s Koolunga was originally the site of a Daffodil Farm (which is why it’s located off Daffodil Rd).

Daffodils at Koolunga. Photo: Meg Hellyer

Once you’ve found all the trivia characters and wandered through the daffodils, the fun does not end there. We have also heard reports that ‘Where’s Wally’ has been sighted along the bike track past Ferntree Gully Station – so keep a lookout for this elusive red and white-striped fellow. Wally has been popping up all over the place – with similar trails in Knoxfield, Heathmont and Wantirna South. Where in the world will Wally go next?

Where’s Wally? Photo: Meg Hellyer

Of course, the Foothills Art Trail also continues, with beautiful paintings and works of art displayed in the shop windows of Ferntree Gully Village. And if you’re wandering along Blind Creek near Fair Park, Boronia Rd or Dandenong Creek, you may also spot some of our local ‘Elder Trees’ of the Knox Tree Trails, as part of Knox Council’s Biodiversity Blitz.

Keep your eyes peeled – as you never know what you may find on these walks. There is always something new to discover if you look closely enough.

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