Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
Agriculture in Port Augusta

Our parched lands are home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities that are specially adapted to thrive in an environment where temperatures are extreme and drought can final for decades. Australia’s parched zone ecosystems are frail and complex and they are found nowhere else on earth. Located on the shores of Upper Spencer Gulf with spectacular views to the ancient Flanders Ranges, the Garden showcases a different collection of dry zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares. This scanty sidebyside combination of dry and marine environments, together with a intriguing regional and cultural history, makes this botanic garden very special. To yield a facility for the conservation of a collection of Australia’s parched zone flora, including threatened species and plant communities. To amplify popular and scientific understanding of the arid zone environment through education on a regional, national and international level. To promote dry zone plants by fostering thankfulness and research into their notable qualities and horticultural potential. With promote from Council and the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, public urge grew and in 1983 a State Government Committee reported favorably but without financial commitment. The succeeding year an energetic Friends’ group was formed to support the garden, seek funds and lobby for its development. During the 1980s site development was funded by Council and the Friends group with on ground work assistance from Government unemployment relief schemes. Also during this time major sponsorship assisted with the development of extensive infrastructure and the Eremophila and Regional plant collections. Since 200, financial assistance from the Federal and State Governments, the South Australian mining sector and the Friends group has funded improvements to infrastructure, the expansion of facilities at the visitor center and the construction of the innovative AridSmart Display gardens. Annual funding from the Port Augusta City Council together with prized contributions from volunteers and the Friends group continue to earnings this urgent facility and its collections. Some of the measures we have adopted are: Waste Water Treatment Plant waste water from the visitor center building is treated old to irrigate our new section of Eremophila garden. Evaporative air conditioning ducts run underground to assist in keeping cool. Where plausible the gift shop stocks products that are locally Australian made also products with an ecofriendly theme. We recycle paper, cardboard, bottles cans etc. Timers dippers impaired to water efficiently in the garden.