I should expand on that statement - I love Spring in the Southern Highlands. The blossoms on the trees, the stunning blooms of tulips, daffodils, freesias (a favourite of mine which always remind me of my grandmother) and more popping up through the ground, and the signs of new life - ducklings, baby water fowl, protective Magpies are some of the more obvious.

If the very obvious signs of the season are not enough to highlight its appeal then the stunning gardens on show across the region no doubt are.

Have you ever passed a garden in this community and thought "I would to take a closer look in there?" Of course trespassing rules would prevent it.

But the great thing about the people of the Southern Highlands is that not only do they love to work in their gardens, many also love to share the results of their gardening passion with others. And the good news is that the great outdoors is a safer place to be under CovidSafe regulations.

October is the month in the Southern Highlands when the region's gardens - both private and public - are looking picture perfect. And in an added bonus, the owners of many of those private gardens have opened their gates to the public for more people to enjoy the grounds.

In fact, while the Tulip Time Festival has not gone ahead as planned in 2020 Destination Southern Highlands' Spring Time Trail has become an impressive alternative. Highlights of the trail are the open public and private gardens.

However, it also encourages visitors to spot a platypus in the Wingecarribee River, see a baby duckling near Lake Alexandra and look out for the many birds at Cecil Hoskins and Barren Grounds Nature Reserves.

And of course if you are keen to take in the true botanic appeal of the region you must take a stroll around the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens on the corner of Old South and Kangaloon Roads in Bowral.

Please don't let the challenges of the past year - drought, bushfire, flood and Covid - continue to get the better of you. Get out in the wonderful Southern Highlands great outdoors and soak up its beauty and a sense of new hope.

But please stay safe,

Jackie Meyers

Editor