Mount Wilson, where autumn arrives late in the Southern Hemisphere

With only grass and rustic simplicity, it's a place where humans can truly connect with nature. Especially in a golden sunny autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Exploring Mount Wilson, where autumn arrives late in the Southern Hemisphere

Autumn in Australia begins in March. Typically by this time, some trees like maples, and quinces... start turning their leaves yellow. April brings about hues of red, and by May, leaves start falling off.

However, this year, perhaps due to unpredictable weather, leaves remained green in March, turned sporadically yellow in April. It's only by the last month of autumn, May, that we witnessed an abundance of yellow and red leaves.

In Sydney, to witness beautiful golden leaves, one must head to suburban parks. Yet, the most picturesque scene is arguably found in the Blue Mountains, and even more stunning within all the beauty lies a small hidden township amidst the foliage named Mount Wilson.

One weekend, my family and I embarked on an autumn hunting expedition. It was a 126km journey from our home to the hunting grounds. About 50km away from Sydney, we already noticed numerous families heading towards Mount Wilson, indicating the popularity of autumn outings.

Mount Wilson is essentially a small residential area situated atop Mount Wilson, within the Blue Mountains region. The population here is relatively sparse, but during tourist season, it attracts more visitors from both domestic and international origins.

Upon arrival, visitors can simply park their cars at any designated parking area and leisurely stroll along the roads. When feeling weary or hungry, they can visit private gardens, which are open to pedestrians for sightseeing. These gardens provide seating and offer coffee and light refreshments.

Alternatively, visitors can visit gardens with signs selling fruits and preserves outside the gates. Typically, fruits and preserves are stored in nearby cabinets, and guests are free to take what they want and leave money in the designated box without supervision.

Here, prices are very reasonable, with fresh fruits straight from the orchard and homemade preserves. Some beautiful gardens keep their gates wide open. At the entrance, there's usually just a donation box, and visitors contribute voluntarily.

The average price for fresh apples is 5 AUD per bucket, and entrance fees to the gardens are around 8 AUD. There are separate facilities for hygiene if visitors choose not to visit cafes or restaurants. However, most families with children opt to picnic under the shade of trees, setting up their own food and drinks from home.

Indeed, dining while enjoying the scenery, breathing in the fresh air, adds much more delight.

In recent years, due to increased tourism, the vicinity of Mount Wilson has seen the emergence of numerous cafes and restaurants offering local cuisine. These are run by locals with a business acumen, yet these establishments are always situated away from the greenery and gardens.

I've been coming to Mount Wilson for autumn hunting since 2012, and since then, my family and I have never skipped a season without arranging a trip to the mountains to admire the autumn scenery, even though the Blue Mountains, as the name suggests, are all green. Mount Wilson is the same, with only grass and rustic simplicity.

Yet, it's a place where one can truly immerse themselves in nature. Especially during a golden sunny autumn.

Source: Tuổi Trẻ (Youth)

***

Reference: Travel guide from Mytour