Description of the attraction
The Olive Pink Botanical Garden, which specializes in the plants of the Australian desert zone, is spread over an area of 16 hectares in Alice Springs. The garden was established in 1956 as the Australian Desert Plant Conservation Area as a result of many years of efforts by the anthropologist and Aboriginal rights activist Miss Olive Muriel Pink, who became the garden's first curator.
The Botanical Gardens are part of the imposing Royal Lands, stretching east of the Todd River to the southern borders of Alice Springs CBD. Until 1956, this land was no man's land. Wild goats, rabbits and cattle grazed here, which significantly changed the nature of the vegetation - when Miss Pink took up these places, there were no trees or bushes.
For two decades, Miss Pink and her Aboriginal assistants have struggled desperately with arid environments and a near-complete lack of funding. Together they planted trees and shrubs typical of central Australia, as well as cacti, garden flowers and other plants that can withstand extreme summer temperatures.
After Miss Pink's death in 1975, the reserve came under the control of the Northern Territories state government, which decided to continue the enthusiast's work. A network of hiking trails was laid along the territory of the garden, a visitor center was built, river eucalyptus, acacia and other trees were planted. A well was built here and the ecosystem of sand dunes was recreated.
In 1985, the garden, named after its founder, was opened to the public. Ten years later, he was listed as a National Treasure of Australia.
