SIM'S PARK

This unusual park-cum-botanical garden was developed around the natural contours of the land more than a hundred years ago. Ethnic trees, shrubs and creepers, co-habit with many unusual species of foliage brought in from various parts of the world. Rudraksha – the bead tree and Queensland karry pine, a handsome ornamental tree, are among the many attractions in this park. Sim’s park and the Botanical Garden together from the largest repository of temperate plants in India and an important destination for Botanists. Sim’s Park is the venue for the annual vegetable and fruit show.

Sim's Park, Coonoor, came into existence due to the pioneer efforts of the early European settlers. It was inaugurated in December, 1874 due to the efforts of Mr. J. D. Sim, Secretary to Government and Major Murray, acting Superintendent of the Nilgiris forests and the park was named after the former.

Though this was started as a pleasure resort for the residents and visitors, the park has now developed into a Botanical Garden for the purposes of introduction and trial of various exotic species of systematic and economic importance.

The park is situated in a deep ravine on the northern side of Coonoor railway station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 metres above mts. It extends over an area of 12 hectares of undulating land and possesses a number of natural advantages. It adjoins the Pomological Station, Pasteur Institute and Silk Worm Seed Station.

It occupies the slopes and base of a small ravine. At the head of the gardens, the well kept lawns, the artistically laid out ornamental beds, looking beautiful and lacking no wealth of the flowering plants or shrub in great variety and colour, are great feasts to the eyes. The Annual fruit and vegetable show is held in the park.

DOLPHIN'S NOSE
It is about 12 kms from Coonoor bus stand situated near Tiger Hills. It  is  unique rock  of  tremendous  proportions,  jutting  out  of  the  face  of  hill  side  in  the  formation  which  its name  suggests. The view here is extremely grand and well repays the exertion of getting there. Left and right are great ravines; on the one side is seen an excellent view of the magnificent St. Catherine's Falls with their stream continuing several thousand metres below, while on the other, the familiar Coonoor stream  meets the stream  from Kotagiri. They together tribute to the great Bhavani river. In fact, we are metres away from the Nose opposite to it and separated in between by the deep valley that is covered with the beautiful greenery and mash of tree tops.

LAMB'S ROCK
Lamb's rock is perhaps the most favorite place for picnic parties near Coonoor. It is a point on the way to Dolphin's Nose and the Seat was so called by the then Collector Mr. E. B. Thomas, after one Captain Lamb who made earnest attempts to open a path to the place. It is situated in Burliar village and is about 8 kilometres from Coonoor. The rock is a sheer precipice of jagged rock drops down several hundred feet to bury itself in the luxuriant jungle below.

There are a few views which are beyond compare. On the right hand, yawns to great Hulical ravine and from its base some 5000 feet below, ascends the roar of the Coonoor stream. The  Lamb's Rock is a sheer precipice of  several  hundred  meters  and  commands  a  good  view  of  the Coimbatore  plains.

LAW'S FALLS
The Law's falls which is named after Col. Law, who traced and mainly constructed the new Coonoor Ghat, is a pretty cascade on the Coonoor river near its junction with the Mettupalayam Ghat road. A little lower down the torrent is crossed by the Ghat road over it. The falls is about 5 kilometres below Coonoor at the junction of Coonoor and Kateri rivers on the Coonoor, Mettupalayam road.

It is one of the prettiest places in the district and it attracts many visitors. the Law's falls  is a paradise for  naturalists, is very wild and rocky.

THE DROOG
17  kms from Coonoor. One  has to  go  up  to Nonsuch  Estate  and  trek  down for  about  4  kms.  There is a dilapidated  fort  of which  it was  said  that  Tipu Sultan  used  this  fort  as  an  outpost.  The peak stands at  an elevation  of  about  2,000 mts. and  directly overlooks the plains.

LADY CANNING'S SEAT
Lady Canning's Seat is about 8 kms from Coonoor bus stand and further along the same road as that to  Lamb's Rock. It is perhaps the loveliest  point in the  heart of  the  woods. Lady Canning, wife  of the  Viceroy was fond of this spot, which commands a panoramic view of the numerous tea estates, Lamb's  Rock,  the Droog, the Lampton's Peak all could be seen one above the other and even  Mettupalayam is visible at a distance.