This is only a brief list of locations in the Wildflower State. A comprehensive list (with descriptions) can be found at the website for the Wildflower Society of Western Australia.

Cultivated Plants

Airport Gardens, Alice Springs
Alice Springs Desert Park
Billygoat Hill, Alice Springs
Darwin Botanical Gardens
Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Alice Springs
Sadadeen Valley Garden, Alice Springs
Strehlow and Araluen Centres, Alice Springs
Undoolya Park, Alice Springs

Predominantly Natural Areas (not National Parks)

In compiling this list, National Parks have been omitted. As all National Parks exist for the preservation of flora and fauna, it is obvious that any of the Parks throughout Australia are worth a visit by the plant enthusiast. Further details of National Parks can be found from the appropriate Parks Authority.

Coolibah Swamp, Alice Springs
East Point Reserve, Darwin
Holmes Jungle, Darwin

Cultivated Plants

Airport Gardens, Alice Springs

This is an extensive and well established public garden that effectively screens the airport terminal. View flourishing groves of native trees and shrubs with outstanding examples of whitewood and mulga. Follow the Stuart Highway south of the Town Centre.

Alice Springs Desert Park

This is located 10 minutes drive from the Centre of Alice Springs. The park is set in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges and includes three different desert habitats, being Desert Rivers, Sand Country and Woodland. In these habitats you will find the flora and fauna that live within them.

Since the initial development of the Desert Park in the mid 1990s, many thousands of plants from 395 taxa of central Australian native plants have been planted and maintained as either amenity displays or to represent the three major desert habitats. As well as these plantings, considerable effort has gone into developing the hard landscapes of the Park to explain the natural environments of central Australia.

The park is open 7:30am to 6:00pm daily (closed Christmas Day). There is also a Birds of Prey display at 10am and 3:30pm daily.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the park at:

Alice Springs Desert Park
PO Box 2130, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 0871
Phone: (08) 89518788
Email: asdp@nt.gov.au

Billygoat Hill, Alice Springs

A recently landscaped area, the site incorporates species endemic to this prominant hill. An outstanding fig tree and examples of native passionfruit, orange, coolibah and cassia species can be seen. The site is off the Stuart Highway south of the Town Centre.

Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Alice Springs

The aim of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden is to increase appreciation of Australia's arid zone flora. The 16 hectare Garden adjoins the Todd River close to the centre of Alice Springs and the entrance is at the corner of Barrett Drive and Tuncks Road. It was opened to the public in 1985 and features native plants of central Australia (ie. an area within about 500km radius of Alice Springs). Plants are displayed in a variety of desert settings including a desert sand dune system, a mulga woodland, a rocky waterhole and a creek floodout.

The Garden contains several walking tracks and is open from 10am to 6pm daily except for Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Cafe and Giftshop are open 10:00am to 4:00pm daily.

Further information from the Curator, PO Box 8644, Alice Springs, NT 0871. Phone 08 8952 2154. Email: garden@opbg.com.au.

Sadadeen Valley Garden, Alice Springs

This is an exhibition garden for waterwise planting in an arid zone and is open to the public at all times. It is located at the Power and Water Authority property off Sadadeen Road east of the Todd River.

Strehlow and Araluen Centres, Alice Springs

The Strehlow Research Centre provides insights into Aboriginal culture. Novel landscaping has produced swathes of native wildflowers which include Sturt's desert pea, ruby saltbush, billy buttons, everlasting daisy and Australian bluebells.

At the Araluen Centre, established ghost gums and river red gums feature among the extensive landscaping with native species.

Both centres are near the junction of Larapinta Drive and Memorial Ave to the west of the Town Centre.

Undoolya Park, Alice Springs

This park is the result of community action in lobbying the Northern Territory Government to protect the area from residential development. The park has been planted extensively with native species and is an ideal picnic spot. It can be found north-east of the town on Kurrajong Drive.

Predominantly Natural Areas

Coolibah Swamp

This remnant stand of coolibahs with dense saltbush extends along both sides of Stott Terrace east of the Todd River. Good examples of the two coolibah species (Eucalyptus coolabah ssp arida and E.intertexta) can be found.