Tourist City in Coonoor

Coonoor, a small hill station of Tamil Nadu, is situated at a distance of 17 kilometres from Ooty. Located in the Nilgiri ranges, the hill station stands at an elevation of 1,800 metres above sea level. Well connected with major cities of southern India, Coonoor provides opportunity for sightseeing, recreation and excursions in plenty.

The ancient home of the Toda Tribe, Coonoor was discovered by the British in the 19th century. The destination is frequented by tourists and travellers travelling to the Nilgiri ranges in search of solitude and adventure.

The major attraction of Coonoor is Sim’s Park, a well maintained botanical garden. The garden, located in the northern side of the railway station, is divided in 8 major sections. Each of these sections features contrasting varieties of flowers, blooming throughout the year.

Along with rich flora, varieties of wild flowers and birdlife, the destination provides ample opportunities to engage in trekking and hiking. To get a respite from Indian summers, the township gets over-spilled with holiday makers.

Some other well known tourist spots in the township in the serene Nilgiri ranges are Lamb’s Rock, Laws falls and The Dolphin Nose Viewpoint. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) is one of the oldest mountain railways in India. The train ride in the midst of the Nilgiris, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major tourist attraction in the region.

There are tea gardens with sparkling vegetation in the terraced farms of the Nilgiri ranges. Along with tourist sites, the destination houses variety of birds such as thrushes, babblers, larks, cuckoos, robins, vultures, eagles and song birds. Adventure enthusiasts can engage in trekking, golfing and exploring wildlife in the forest reserves.

Most of the habitation is spread around tea plantations, which is a main source of living in the township. Along with this, there is a research station for pomegranates and apricots in the region, known as Pomological Station.

Coonoor can be visited any time throughout the year. Known as the tea garden town, the meadows, tea bushes and rhododendrons, keep the destination cool and pleasant round the year.

Getting There

Air : Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore located 71 km away.

Rail : Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty (19 km).

Road : Coonoor is very well connected by a network of roads and road transport to all major towns of Tamil Nadu like Ooty (19 km) and Coimbatore (71 km) besides the surrounding areas.

Location : In the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu in the Nilgiris.
Tourist Attractions : Sim's Park, The Pasteur Institute, Pomological Station, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock, Droog, Law's Falls, Ooty.
Best Buys : Local handicrafts
Best Hangouts : Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint, Lamb's Rock, Law's Fall.
Best Activity : Bird Watching, strolling around.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Ooty, Madhumalai, Kodaikanal, Madurai.
When to Visit : September to May