Arid Lands Botanic Garden

Two thirds of Australia is arid, meaning that less than 250mm or around an inch of rain falls every year. Only one third of the population lives in these areas which means that most of us coastal dwellers miss out on the beauty of the arid regions, However just outside Port Augusta, on 250 hectares set between the Flinders Ranges and Spencer Gulf, lies the Arid Lands Botanic Garden. The idea for the garden was accepted by the Port Augusta Council with help from the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Since then a "Friends Of" group, State and Federal Governments and Western Mining have chipped in and finally in 1984 the first work began. In September 1996 the gates were opened. "Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney all have established Botanic Gardens but Port Augusta was chosen as a place to look at. We have used plants that cover 2/3rds of the continent which gives a fantastic effect." There are trails, lookouts and an interpretative centre which includes a range of seeds and instructions for planting. The interpretative centre is part of a building that won an award from the Royal Institute of Architects. It's built of rammed earth and galvo - uses solar power, evaporative underground air conditioning and rainwater and you can buy a mighty quandong pie in the Bluebush Cafe.

The view includes an ancient trading post where the five Aboriginal groups in the region gathered to swap flintstones and crustaceans. Not a hundred metres away is another red sand hill where it's recorded in his log of 1802, Matthew Flinders went ashore and looked at the ranges that would bear his name. Another early explorer ended up with a tribute, and eventually the state floral emblem. "A lot of people enquire on how to grow Sturt Peas. You boil the water and pour over the seed, 12 to 14 hours later put seeds into sand to help them germinate. Then you build the sand about one metre high, add lots of water and then leave them." The Sturt Pea is just one example of how plants have evolved to cope with often salty soils and minimal rainfall. Some have foliage that reduces water loss, some wood is covered with a wax type substance, some have shallow roots and some deep roots. But all are vital. To lose these plants is to lose an ecosystem and an extraordinary one at that. The Arid Lands Botanic Garden is open 7 days per week. It's free and is well signposted on the Pimba Road, North to Port Augusta. For more information ph 08 8641 1049 or email: info@postcards-sa.com.au