Nature Preserved – A Gem of Biodiversity in the Tropical Botanical Garden
No place on the Big Island epitomizes Hawaii’s natural beauty like the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve Garden, within a few miles of our Volcano vacation rental, with its lush jungle terrain, 2,000 species of plants, up-close waterfalls, and trails that descend a fern-covered valley to the volcanic-rock beach below. Every few steps along the 1.5-mile path, you’ll be awed by one stunning flower after another, each as photo-worthy as the last. And with the tropical botanical garden’s focus on education, touring their 20-acre parcel of paradise is a unique opportunity to learn about the flora of Hawaii, the island’s rich biodiversity, and their important preservation work.
A Labor of Love and a Journey Into the Tropical Botanical Garden
The tropical botanical garden’s story began in the late 1970s when the Lutkenhouse family purchased the land once home to a fishing village, fruit trees, sugar cane, and a thriving sugar mill. Long since overgrown and covered by jungle foliage, the Lutkenhouse family began clearing trails through the dense trees, envisioning a bio-reserve protecting the rainforest from future development. After several years of tireless work, the garden welcomed its first visitors in 1984 and is still family-run nearly four decades later.
Walking through the garden’s naturally-formed valley is to enter a botanist’s dream. Alongside the jackfruit and mango trees which were once key to the local economy, there are familiar flowers like hibiscus and birds of paradise alongside rarer plants like beehive ginger, with their bright yellow and orange circular tops. Orchids, renowned for their incredible variety and subtle colors, are on full display, especially in the orchid garden.
In addition to the remarkable plant life, you’ll find wildlife – the sounds of tropical birds fill the air, and when the trail winds down to Onomea Bay midway through the tropical botanical garden tour, sea turtles are a frequent sight.
Planning Your Trip to the Garden, Rain or Shine
Just 35 miles north of our Volcano vacation rental, visiting the tropical botanical garden is a scenic day trip, and it’s worth going during any season of the year. The rainier winter months are less crowded, while the thick rainforest canopy protects much of the trail, making it easy to stay dry. And as an added perk, the rainfall feeds the garden’s two waterfalls (Onomea Falls and Boulder Creek Falls), making their cascading waters even more impressive. In addition to a rain shell, sunscreen, and bug repellent, bring one of our 5th St Aloha Bags with you and snack on macadamia nuts and passionfruit juice while enjoying the jungle vistas, blooming flowers, waterfall views, and waves crashing below.
Stay with us and step into another world in the tropical garden!