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Nestled in at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges, the Alice Springs Desert Park offers an extraordinary botanical experience that showcases the unique flora of the central Australian desert. With its stunning blend of three distinct Central Australian landscapes; Desert Rivers, Sand Country and Woodlands, all recreated to depict the diverse ecosystems of a 500 km radius from Alice Springs within 54 hectares of park;  serving as a living tribute to the resilience and diversity of desert plant life and its interconnectedness with wildlife and culture.

Visitors are invited to explore a rich tapestry of native desert ecosystems, from the arid woodlands to the spinifex grasslands, and the vibrant desert dunes laden with wildflowers (May to September). Each garden area is thoughtfully designed to highlight the ecological relationships between plants and the desert environment, illustrating how these hardy species adapt to the harsh conditions of the outback.

The park is a biological park home to a diverse range of desert plants, including iconic species like the ghost gum, mulga, and spinifex, as well as rare and lesser-known flora. Visitors will discover how these plants, with their intricate adaptations to water conservation, temperature extremes, and soil fertility, thrive in one of the world’s most challenging environments.

Through a combination of walking trails, interpretive signage, and knowledgeable staff, Alice Springs Desert Park offers a unique opportunity to connect with the desert’s botanical heritage and its significance to the culture and survival of the Arrernte people (indigenous to the area). Whether you’re a passionate gardener, a lover of native plants, or simply curious about the desert landscape, this living garden provides an immersive and educational journey into the heart of Australia’s iconic desert flora.

Alice Springs Desert Park is a vibrant and thriving botanical world, inviting visitors to witness the beauty, resilience and importance of the plants that call this ancient land home

www.AliceSpringsDesertPark.com.au

The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are two kilometres north of Darwin city. They cover 42 hectares and are noted for their collections of north Australian and other tropical species.

The gardens were established in 1886, originally as an experimental farm for identifying viable crops suited to the tropical climate. The gardens today are a vibrant assemblage of native and exotic plants with significant collections of Adansonia (boab) and baobab species, local, Australian and exotic cycads, tropical orchids species and an extensive variety of palm species.

The gardens extend from the escarpment down to the marine and mangrove habitats along Mindil Beach. There are a number of water features including a waterfall, lily ponds and a large fountain.  A visitor can discover lifelike reptile sculptures, a nine metre saltwater crocodile sculpture and a mosaic dragon. There are dinosaurs in the Cycad Garden!

Refreshments are available at Eva’s Café which is housed in the historic former Wesleyan Church building. Visitor information, including bird watching identification sheets, and unique locally made arts and crafts can be found at the Gift Shop located in the Visitor and Events Centre. The Visitor Centre contains displays on the history of the gardens, the primary plant collections, conservation activities, the interrelationships between plants, animals and humans and the use of plants by Aboriginal people including the local Larrakia people. There is also a video room that shows the seasonal changes in the gardens.

The gardens have indoor and outdoor function and event areas, a playground with a tree house and Viking Swing and many hectares of lawns, paths and garden displays to explore. Visitors can download the Botanic Gardens App which provides self-guided walks that feature locals and staff talking about significant trees and the Matboerrma Walk featuring local Larrakia people and Elders explaining the traditional uses of local plan species growing in the gardens.

The gardens offer volunteers the opportunity to engage in plant propagation to support the gardens activities through the Friends of the Darwin Botanic Gardens and a community garden where they can raise organic produce.

Visit https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/george-brown-darwin-botanic-gardens for more details.