Today saw the start of the Enlighten Festival in the nations' capital and for the first time the National Botanic Gardens participated with Luminous Botanicus, which provides for select dates between 27 February and 7 March 2015, access to the gardens after dark.

At 8.00 pm, shortly after dark and after some brief instructions from volunteers of the gardens, we were sent in groups into the rainforest garden for the start of the walk. Given the number of people who turned up, we were expecting a traffic jam of people and really slow walking but once we descended into the mist and onto the pathways along the rainforest floor the crowd thinned quite quickly.

This is one of our favourite sections of the gardens in daylight and the combined use of lights through umbrellas or reflected off mirrors and the mist gave a most interesting effect at night. The musical accompaniment of cello and flute added to the atmosphere and sounded really good. Seating near the stairs out of the rainforest meant people could sit and listen to the musicians if they chose. It also provided an ideal opportunity for those less used to walking to catch their breath (read one of the in-laws).

The next leg took people through the conifer exhibit and to my 17 year olds mind, the light display looked like condoms with glowing balls gently swaying in the breeze! The lights and clever placement of dinosaurs throughout this section gave a prehistoric feel that we thought was carried off quite well. It also provided some entertainment for the smaller children.

The walk culminated in the Red Centre garden exhibit with small fires lighting pathways to performances by fire dancers and drummers. Refreshments were served here with the garden and an illuminated Black Mountain Tower as the backdrop.

As a get in the in-laws good books it was an ideal activity. As a different view of the gardens it was great and we will happily do it again at next year's Enlighten Festival (without the in-laws).

Recommend sturdy walking shoes and bug repellent.