This Botanic Garden was established in Port Augusta in 1993 to research, conserve and promote a wider appreciation of Australia’s arid zone flora.  It is located on the shores of Upper Spencer Gulf with spectacular views to the ancient Flinders Ranges and it is a delightful place to visit. There is a wonderful and colourful array of plants which are able to thrive in environments where temperatures are extreme and droughts can last for decades.

We arrived quite early, before it got too hot and windy, and the air was full of the scent of eucalyptus.  We only intended to stay a short time but didn’t leave until 1pm after a nice lunch in the Bluebush Cafe and a bit of a spending frenzy in the gift shop.  We bought 4 small plants which we will be taking very good care of over the next week.  A very knowledgeable volunteer took us on a tour of the garden, which was interesting, and it would have been great to stay longer because there is a wide variety of birds frequenting the garden, including many which I have never seen.

Geoff ended the day with a swim at the caravan park in Clare.

Stuart Desert Pea

Pim Pim Mallee

Our guide referred to this as a Butterfly Bush/Tree

Poached Egg Daisy