Australia Day at Arboretum Offers Hands-on Fun

Learn to make a digeridoo and hear how its played amid native Australian trees.

Australia Day at Boyce Thompson Arboretum this weekend includes a little hands-on fun.

Anyone can learn to make a serviceable "didgeridoo" from PVC pipe. Specialists will teach how to play the growling, howling, haunting Aboriginal instrument and also help participants begin to master the difficult technique of circular breathing.

Guest instructor Paul "Walking Stick" Taylor returns to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum to offer the popular class. The class will be offered Jan. 24, 9 to 11 a.m.

The cost for Taylor's class is $35 for arboretum annual members and $45 for non-members. To register or arrange pre-payment call 520-689-2723 during daytime business hours.

Other Australia Day events at the arboretum include an 11 a.m. guided tour through the Walkabout Trail along with arboretum staff and volunteers who are knowledgeable about Australia. During the afternoon Paul Taylor will offer a storytelling session and didgeridoo concert beneath the towering forest of eucalyptus and red gum trees.

The tour and storytelling session are public events and included with regular daily admission of $7.50, or $3 for ages 5-12.

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located in Superior, Ariz., near Highway 60, Milepost 223, just north of Superior (from Tucson take Oracle Road north to Highway 79, continue on 79 past the town of Florence to Highway 60, then east on highway 60 to milepost #223).

For other details, visit the arboretum's award-winning Web site.