Sims 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 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 at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 metres above MSL. It extends over an area of 12 hectares of undulating land and possesses a number of natural advantages.

Lamb’s rock

Lamb’s rock is perhaps the favorite place for picnic point near Coonoor. The rock is a sheer precipice of jagged rock that drops down several hundred feet to bury itself in the luxuriant jungle below.

There are a few views that are beyond compare. On the right-hand yawns to the 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.

Dolphin’s Nose

It is the unique rock of tremendous proportions, jutting out of the face of the hillside 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 Coonoorstream 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 beautiful greenery and a mash of tree tops.