Ju Raku En Japanese Garden, Toowoomba, Qld

This garden, for me, is like a work of art. Aptly named (Ju Raku En roughly means

‘to enjoy peace and tranquillity in a public place’), the garden is situated in the grounds of the University of Southern Queensland. It’s so tranquil and peaceful. Designed by Professor Kinsaku Nakane, of Kyoto, it features many elements such as carefully placed rocks, a dry garden of raked gravel and clipped plants. The designer’s sage advice, to view a Japanese garden “with a detached gaze, without preconceptions and in a state of total receptivity” is also very appealing. For me, this is the essence of what visiting gardens is all about. usq.edu.au/about-usq/locations/ Toowoomba, (07) 4631 2627