Ralph and Lesley Challenger have created an interesting fantasy garden called ‘Binnowee’ in Queensland. Binnowee means green place and the Challengers have created a wonderful green oasis to relax in and enjoy. The garden started when their daughter, Rebel, began looking after wildlife such as wallabies. She discovered that the animals had special dietary needs which included native plants.
The garden has grown from that time. Today it includes an extravagant array of caves, pools and rivers. The Challengers have planted 150 native trees and shrubs on their 1.4 hectare (3 1/2 acre) property.
Garden features
Gold mine & cave – Ralph has built a concrete cave complete with stalagmites and stalactites that drip water via some irrigation lines. There is creek running through the cave as well as glow worms that change colour (lit by optical fibres) The entrance to the cave is a gold mine shaft which has a collection of authentic gold mining equipment. The exit brings you out into a tropical garden area. The cave took two months to build and it is made from re-inforced steel and sprayed concrete.
Swimming pool oasis – There is a lovely area surrounding the pool where the Challengers relax in the cool shade of the tropical and native trees.
Rudyard Creek – There is an artificial creek 80m (263′) long running through out the garden creating a mysterious feel and calm atmosphere. The headwater of the creek splits in two allowing water to cascade down the rock ledge into the pool while the other stream runs through the garden and runs into the billabong.
The creek needs 3000L (660 gallons) of water to get it going. There is a 25cm (10″) pipe underneath the rock which takes the water into a 5000L (1100 gallons) holding tank underneath the ground. The water is then pumped out of the holding tank with two pumps, back to the headwaters. The creek and holding tank is made from 10 cubic metres of concrete that was pumped out to make artificial rocks.
Boardwalk – The boardwalks throughout the garden allow easy access to all areas of the garden as well as adding some mystery and intrigue. The boardwalk twists and turns around the trees and over the creek.
Further information
Binnowee is owned by Ralph and Lesley Challenger, 47 Rudyard Street, Ellen Grove, QLD, 4078. Binnowee is open to the public as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme and will be open this weekend on Saturday and Sunday 18-19 October 1997 and Saturday and Sunday 7-8 March 1998 from 10am-4.30pm. Entrance fee is $3.50.
Details of the garden opening are available from the AOGS open line. Phone: 1900 155 064 (recorded message).
For information on this garden and others open from spring 1997 to autumn 1998 consult Australia’s Open Garden Scheme Guidebook 1997/98 available from book shops, ABC shops and some garden centres. Concrete artificial rocks, rockwork on cave and Rudyard Creek was carried out by Jacaranda Landscaping, Bryce Peapell, 2712 Moggill Road, Pinjarra Hills, QLD,4069. Phone: 0438 808 546.