Ju Raku En Japanese Garden

Located on the northern side of the campus, it's Australia's largest and most traditionally designed Japanese stroll garden. Its elements of mountain stream and waterfall, Dry Garden, central lake, Azalea Hill, three kilometres of paths, 230 species of Japanese and Australian native trees and plants, and lawns combine in a seamless and restful harmony. Japanese gardens emphasise the use of rocks to create three dimensional pictures.

All of the large rocks in Ju Raku En were placed by the garden's designer, Professor Kinsaku Nakane of Kyoto, to appear naturally dispersed in a random way. Visitors stroll through the garden or relax on the seat near the Dry Garden; it's not uncommon to see artists quietly painting a scene or children feeding bread to the fish or birds, which include swans, ducks, geese and smaller natives. Japanese maples provide a riot of autumn colour, while in spring masses of lilac blossoms hang from the Wisteria Pergola - the perfect backdrop for a wedding.