While checking the regrowth after an autumn burn in the Yarck Flora Reserve at Terrip Terrip I found this beautiful thing. I got all excited about how this “controlled burn” must have stimulated these sun orchids into flowering until I looked at the opposite side of the road which hadn’t been burnt and found six more! Could the proximity to smoke and fire triggered this event ? I’ve never observed sun orchids as tall and intensely colourful as these before in the Strathbogie Ranges. Raced home, fairly confident that I could identify them from the photos I had taken but as I browsed through my native orchid book I was confronted with about 40 species of tall blue sun orchids to choose from and quickly became confused. My guess is the Great Sun Orchid. Thelymitra aristata.
Strathbogie Ranges - Nature View 
Oh Janet these Sun orchids are stunning, thanks for sharing.
I have found 8 different orchids this year, so thrilled.
Sue
Oh Janet these Sun orchids are stunning, thanks for sharing.
They’re beautiful.
Hi Janet, Nice find and nice image, but I suspect its not T. aristata, as this is mainly in southern and western Vic. Try T. media (note the tiny pointy ends on the ‘petals’). Flower colour is not a good indicator, as it comes in a variety of hues, changing with time. But you’re probably right about the influence of fires on the prolific flowering. Cheers
I don’t know that species, but check out Colin and Mischa’s photos.
http://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHome%20Page/Orchids/Thelymitra/Thelymitra%20aristata.htm