Plan Your Weekend: Trek, hike and bird-watch at picturesque Coonoor

One of the popular pastimes in Coonoor is bird watching because one can spot a variety of bird species in the area. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. You can also enjoy the ride on the toy train, which connects Coonoor with other hill stations in the Nilgiri Hills.

Sim’s Park:  It’s a 12-hectare park-cum-botanical garden that was developed around the natural contours of the land more than a hundred years ago. The botanical garden is partly developed in the Japanese style and derived its name from JD Sim, the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The key attraction of the park is the annual fruit and vegetable show.  

Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint: This place that is around 10 km away Coonoor offers a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri Hills. There are gigantic ravines found both to the left and right of Dolphin’s Nose and there is a view of inspiring Catherine Falls with its continuing stream several thousand metres below which is located a relatively short distance away opposite Dolphin’s Nose.

Pomological Station: One of the well-known research institutions in the country, the institution is engaged in research of apples, plums, peaches, persimmons, lemons, apricots and pomegranates. The station is one of the three experimental fruit gardens positioned in the Nilgiri ranges, managed by the Horticultural Department.

Pasteur Institute of India: Located near Sim’s Park, this institute is famous for developing the Triple Vaccine and the Rabies Vaccine.

Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore. Coonoor is well connected by road with Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kotagiri.