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Pandanus spiralis is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 meters in height and is native to northern Australia. It belongs to the family Pandanaceae. It is also found growing in the wild in the northern West Bengal and Sikkim regions of India. It is commonly called Screw Palm or Pandanus Palm despite not being a true palm. It has spined leaves in a spiral arrangement. Wildlife including birds take advantage of the spiny leaves by living in the tree for protection. They also favor its fruit which occurs as large, pineapple-like clusters that turn orange-red when ripe. This is a really useful plant. Humans can extract the fruit's seeds, grinding them into flour. The leaves can be used to weave neckbands and armbands. The fiber of the leaves can be used as the string for dillybags, baskets, mats, and shelters. In addition, mashed leaves can be used to cure headaches when tied around the head. The Burarra people use the plant to make fish traps. What a plant!!! Source: www.projectnoah.org/spottings/28012027

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens were laid out by Walter Hill, the Colonial Botanist and Curator, and one of his first actions was to plant the now magnificent bunya trees which skirt the riverside walk. A great deal of experimental and acclimatisation work was carried out by him in connection with cotton, sugar cane, arrowroot, ginger, indigo, allspice and many others he considered likely to suit the cool and temperate zones of Queensland. Thereafter, he journeyed in the tracks of the pioneers and obtained many valuable specimens of plants and trees. Fortunate indeed, is the city that the pleasantly situated City Botanic Gardens Brisbane are still in their present spaciousness and available for visits by those who enjoy the beauties of plant and flower life as well as the peaceful quietude which raises the heart and refreshes the spirit. Much has been accomplished in the first century of the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. It is now doubly opportune to ponder, compare and evaluate the strivings of Walter Hill (as well as his successors) who, from the small six-acre Botanical Reserve hewn from the original native scrub of Brisbane Town, reclaimed, developed and beautified the City Botanic Gardens Brisbane as they are nowadays. Walter Hill did not happily retire from his sphere of activity. Tranquillity would even seem to now permeate the stones which form the base of the dwarf wall facing Alice Street. These blocks of stones once formed the walls of the early Brisbane Gaol in Petrie Terrace built by Andrew Petrie in 1854, and when the Gaol was demolished after the erection of the Boggo Road Gaol in 1881, an entirely different and peaceful environment from the turbulent former surroundings was found for them as a base in the City Botanic Gardens iron-railed fence. Source: www.brisbanehistory.com/botanical_gardens.html

" Summertime and living is easy".

Coolum is a relaxed beachside village popular with families and couples and is just 20 minutes south of Noosa Heads. With a year-round patrolled surf beach and wonderful bays to explore, Coolum Beach is perfect to get away and enjoy the natural coastal environment. Proudly protective of the environment, Coolum Coast Care has created wonderful sanctuaries for flora and fauna, boasting many natural bushwalks from the Northern Mount Emu, winding through Coolum Beach to Yaroomba and including Mount Coolum. This landmark mountain which greets you as you drive north towards Noosa requires a good level of fitness to climb but offers stunning views. It is accessible via Tanah Street West, off David Low Way. Source: www.visitnoosa.com.au/destinations/surrounds/coolum-beach

Noosa is home to a range of pristine natural environments - from waterways full of birdlife to rocky headlands where you can watch whales swim past. Noosa's Main Beach is one of the only north-facing beaches on the east coast of Australia and is calm on most days. Source: www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-inform...