A feast for the eyes awaits visitors to the Southern Highlands, but the colour and whimsy have a serious side. The 49th Tulip Time Bowral festival, which runs until October 8, seeks to shine light and colour on depression and mental illness, with the Black Dog Institute logo fashioned out of hundreds of bulbs in a special theme garden.Festival co-ordinator Debbie Bonett said the theme would strike a cord with locals as well as visitors to the Southern Highlands."Sometimes people think if they move from the city to the country they're leaving their problems behind, but it doesn't happen like that," she said. "If you're not travelling well, don't be embarrassed about it."The good thing is it's usually treatable. It's such a serious illness but, the stigma's being lifted."Corbett Gardens received 34,000 visitors during last year's tulip time and organisers are expecting similar numbers this year. This year festival ambassador Maggie Tabberer will join Black Dog Institute executive director Gordon Parker at a gala dinner to raise money for the institute tonight. For more information phone Tourism Southern Highlands on 1300 657 559.