The Olive Pink Botanic Garden lies adjacent to the Todd River not far from the centre of Alice Springs. Miss Olive Muriel Pink, legendary anthropologist, Aboriginal rights campaigner and artist, was responsible for the gazettal of the garden area in 1956. Miss Pink was the Honorary curator and lived on site until her death in 1975. Miss Pink and her Warlpiri gardener, Johnny Jambijinpa Yannarilyi, planted groves of mulgas and rows of bean trees, river red gums and many other native plants which they arduously maintained through the long drought in the 1950s and 1960s. Several of these original plantings still survive in the garden today. After Miss Pink's death, the NT Government took over management of the reserve and established the visitor centre and most of the infrastructure present today. The botanic garden was opened to the public in 1985.
Over 250 Central Australian plant species can be seen within the 16 hectare garden, either within themed plantings or in the surrounding bushland on the hill slopes. After heavy rainfall the garden comes alive with wildflowers and attracts many species of butterflies and birds. Euros (hill kangaroos) are regularly seen browsing within the garden and the threatened black-footed rock-wallaby also resides in the rocky hill habitat. Active western bowerbird bowers are present and in summertime many different reptiles can be seen sunning themselves within the grounds.
Visitors can learn more about Miss Pink or about desert habitats and plants from the interpretation material around the garden and by going on one of the self-guided walks. Keen birdwatchers will find much to look at and there are plenty of shaded picnic shelters to enjoy the peaceful setting from. There is a cafe and gift shop so visitors can enjoy lunch or tea-breaks amongst the birds and flowers. A seasonal program of guided walks and events is also available.
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Tuncks Rd, Alice Springs, NT, 0872
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