This is a small city enclave that reflects 19th-century Austin. The 22-acre preserve in Central Austin embraces five lily ponds, palm trees, woodlands and several old cottages including one from the late 19th century. This secluded preserve is north of Texas Highway 71 along Onion Creek and is open to guided tours by reservation only. The preserve is open to guided tours only. Some of the tracts are accessible to the public for nature-viewing, others are closed as part of the effort to preserve the ecosystem for endangered species.
Access is limited so call ahead.
The major feature of the preserve is a collapsed grotto formed 150,000 years ago, creating a giant terrarium covered by towering cypress trees. The sheltered environment created a unique ecosystem where orchids and other semitropical plants flourish. Temperature differences between the grotto floor and the surrounding countryside above can be as much as 25 degrees. Given the fragility of the ecosystem tours are limited to 30 individuals at a time. Call ahead to confirm that the preserve is open.