One of the most popular and gorgeous hill stations in Tamil Nadu, Coonoor is an idyllic getaway for nature lovers, peace seekers and holiday makers which is called the Queen of Nilgiris. Known for its serene environ and breathtaking beauty, this quaint town in the southern part of India offers respite from bustling city life. From the simple joy of toy train rides, admiring the captivating views of emerald tea estates or maneuvering through the trekking trails of the legendary Nilgiri hills, there are a bunch of unique travel experiences that can be gathered on the trip to Coonoor. Here’s a piece of information about this travel destination in India which can prove as an essential guide for the travellers. Take a look!
Best Time to Visit Coonoor
The weather between October to March is mildly cold and pleasant making it the perfect time to explore the breathtaking locales in and around Coonoor. Apart from basking in the glory of nature, one can also enjoy activities like hiking and golfing in Coonoor during this period of the year.
Culture of Coonoor
Coonoor is part of the eastern plateau of the magnificent Nilgiri range which is inhabited by the Toda and Coon tribes. Despite being home to the tribal people, this second largest hill station of Tamil Nadu remained unexplored until John Sullivan visited the Nilgiris in 1819. He visited the region with a noted French naturalist who was ailing with many diseases. In their three weeks stay in the fresh environs of Ooty and surrounding area, the French naturalist felt a remarkable improvement in his health. Sullivan then requested the East India Company to turn the Nilgiris as a sanatorium for sick European troops in India. During this time the Blue Mountain Railway was laid down in the region to make commuting easy. This increased the footfall of ailing white men and the development work was extended to Kotagiri and Coonoor which became popular wellness retreats along with Ooty. People of Coonoor are simple, hospitable and earn their living majorly through Tea plantation. Badaga and Tamil are commonly spoken languages and people associated with the Tourism sector also speak English.
Tourist Places in Coonoor
Coonoor’s strategic location offers a panoramic view from the magnificent Nilgiri’s, wonders of nature and verdant plantations. Check out the list of 11 tourist attractions of Coonoor that are totally stellar and worth exploring.
1. Dolphin Nose View Point
One of the popular tourist spots in Coonoor, Dolphin Nose View Point offers a panoramic view of rivulets, falls as well as the Nilgiri range. This vantage point near Tiger hills has got its name as the rock present at this point resembles the dolphin’s nose.
2. Sim's Park
Sim’s park is the famous tourist attraction of Coonoor that offers a wide range of unique plant species spreading over 12 hectares of land. This botanical garden is also an attraction for botanists from all over the world who visit here to discover exquisite flora.
3. Lamb's Rock
Located in Burliar village which is about 8 kms away from Coonoor, Lamb’s rock is a famous picnic spot lying on the slopes of the Nilgiri Hills. This place is perfect for grabbing a breathtaking view of tea and coffee plantations.
4. Droogs Fort
Perched at the elevation of 6000 feet, Droogs Fort is an ideal place to discover the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu and impressive view of western ghats. Also known as Bakasura Malai Fort, the fort is heaven for bird watchers and history enthusiasts.
5. Sri Thanthi Mariamman Temple
Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, Sri Thanthi Mariamman temple is a significant place of worship in Coonoor which is believed to be 500 years old. The telegraph post in the temple was installed by the Britishers and it was considered as the landmark. The temple comes in full glory during Navratri when a large number of people from surrounding regions visit here to worship Goddess.
6. Wellington Gymkhana Golf Course
An ideal place for golfers, the Wellington Gymkhana Club is one of the oldest clubs in India. Surrounded by breathtaking tea estates, the club offers a wonderful view of landscapes and serene atmosphere. Retaining the old-world charm, the club is known for shooting films and pre-wedding shoots.
7. Hidden Valley
A heaven for trekkers, Hidden valley is where you can explore some hidden gems of Coonoor. While hiking in the treasure trove, people can discover pristine streams and exotic species of birds. The valley is only accessible through trekking and make sure you carry your camera to capture the virgin beauty of this place in Tamil Nadu.
8. Silk Rearing Station
Coonoor is famous around the world for silk production and Silk Rearing Station is where you learn about silk rearing. It is also a centre of knowledge for students who have interest in learning about fabrics extracted from nature.
9. Lady Canning's Seat
Located close to Dolphin Nose, this yet another striking vantage point in Coonoor is named after the wife of British Viceroy of India, Lady Canning who was a frequent visitor here. This tourist place is about 9km from Coonoor and offers an awe inspiring view of verdant valleys and amazing landscapes.
10. Guernsey Tea Factory
Famous for the world’s best blends of tea, a trip to Coonoor is incomplete without the tea tasting session. Ideal place for tea lovers, Guernsey Tea Factory is where you get a chance to learn about tea production and other details.
11. Law's Falls
About 5km away from Coonoor lies Law’s falls that draws the most amazing view of nature’s beauty. The cascading waterfalls and verdant landscape is so inviting and invigorating at the same time. This is certainly one of the best places to visit in Coonoor if connecting with nature is your agenda.
How to Reach Coonoor
Connected with all the major places in India, reaching Coonoor is very easy. It is easily accessible by road, airways and railways.
- Nearest Airport from Coonoor. Coimbatore International Airport
- Nearest City. Ooty
- Distance from Ooty. 20km
- Distance from Coimbatore. 70km
By Air
Coimbatore International Airport is the nearest airport to Coonoor which is about two and a half hours away. There are regular domestic flights to all major Indian cities like Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc. Various international flights also take off and land to this airport of Tamil Nadu. After landing in Coimbatore, you can either opt for a bus, train or hire a taxi to reach this beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu.
- Distance from Airport. 70km
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
By Train
Coimbatore Junction is the nearest railhead from Coonoor. Mettupalayam Station connects the Nilgiri Mountain Railway with the main line of South Indian Railways. After reaching the train station in Mettupalayam, one can board the famous toy train to Coonoor. This train ride is the best way to admire the beauty of Nilgiri Hills.
- Distance from Mettupalayam Railway Station. 34 km
- Distance from Coimbatore Junction. 70 km
By Road
Coonoor is well connected to the cities of south India via well metalled highways. You can easily get a bus from Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus of Coimbatore which is a convenient and cheapest option of travelling by road to Coonoor. You can drive your own car or hire taxis to travel to this stunning hill station of South India.
- Distance from Mettupalayam. 35 km
- Distance from Bangalore. 297km
- Distance from Chennai. 544km
- Distance from Kodaikanal. 234 km
FAQs Related to Coonoor
Q 1. Why is Coonoor famous?
Ans - Coonoor is the second largest hill station in Tamil Nadu which is primarily famous around the world for tea estates and production. However, it's a quaint hill station that is visited by holiday makers, peace seekers and adventure junkies as it provides all the possibilities to the travellers.
Q 2. Is it worth visiting Coonoor?
Ans 2. Coonoor is a hidden gem of Tamil Nadu that offers a stunning landscape and serene vibes making it a worth visiting destination. In addition, it has an old world charm and many vantage points that makes the trip to Coonoor memorable.
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