About Us
About
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a 16-hectare botanic garden in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. It specialises in plants and landscapes native to the arid central Australian region.
Opened in 1985, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a renowned arid zone garden in Central Australia, featuring over 600 plant species, including Indigenous bushfood and medicine plants. It includes the Registered Sacred Site Tharrarletneme (Annie Meyers Hill), which is significant to the Arrernte people, where many teach and learn about local plants.
The garden is a recreational, educational, and cultural resource for the community and visitors. It offers self-guided walks, picnic areas, and stunning views of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from Tharrarletneme. You can also enjoy a relaxing coffee in the garden café.
Beyond plants, the garden is a vibrant ecosystem with diverse wildlife, including eighty-nine bird species, some rare, the elusive Black-footed Rock Wallaby, the Euro (Hill Kangaroo), and various reptiles. Nature enthusiasts can spot these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
About
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a 16-hectare botanic garden in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. It specialises in plants and landscapes native to the arid central Australian region.
Opened in 1985, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a renowned arid zone garden in Central Australia, featuring over 600 plant species, including Indigenous bushfood and medicine plants. It includes the Registered Sacred Site Tharrarletneme (Annie Meyers Hill), which is significant to the Arrernte people, where many teach and learn about local plants.
The garden is a recreational, educational, and cultural resource for the community and visitors. It offers self-guided walks, picnic areas, and stunning views of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from Tharrarletneme. You can also enjoy a relaxing coffee in the garden café.
Beyond plants, the garden is a vibrant ecosystem with diverse wildlife, including eighty-nine bird species, some rare, the elusive Black-footed Rock Wallaby, the Euro (Hill Kangaroo), and various reptiles. Nature enthusiasts can spot these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
“..she pinpointed the most controversial issues of her day and highlighted them in ways that other anthropologists did not …. these issues continue to be important today.”
Who Was Olive Pink?
Olive Muriel Pink (1884–1975) was an Australian artist, anthropologist, and advocate for Aboriginal rights, known for establishing the Olive Pink Botanic Garden in Alice Springs.
Vision for the Garden
- In 1956, she petitioned to lease 16 hectares in Alice Springs to create a reserve for conserving native plants and wildlife.
- Initially called the "Australian Arid Regions Flora Reserve," it aimed to be a sanctuary for flora and a space for Aboriginal people to connect with the land.
Establishment & Legacy
- Despite limited resources, Pink and Walpiri man Johnny Jambijimba Yannarilyi planted and maintained the garden where she lived for many years.
- The garden was officially named Olive Pink Botanic Garden after she died in 1975.
Advocacy for Aboriginal Rights
- Pink was a strong advocate for Aboriginal rights, often clashing with authorities over her criticism of government policies towards Indigenous Australians.
- Her efforts emphasised preserving Indigenous culture and the environment.
Significance of the Garden
- Today, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a vital cultural and ecological site in Central Australia, featuring over 600 species of native plants, many rare to the region.
- The garden exemplifies Pink's commitment to environmental conservation and her vision for protecting Australia's arid landscapes.
Our Board & Governance
Since 2012, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden has operated as a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). It is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, which consists of leading members of the Alice Springs community who provide support, guidance and legal oversight of the Garden.
Strategic Plans & Visions
Olive Pink Botanic Garden Design Master Plan (2nd Edition)
The Garden Design Master Plan is a key supporting document of the Olive Pink Strategic Plan. Its purpose is to encapsulate a botanic garden that serves as a memorial to Olive Pink, become an important tourism asset for Central Australia, and be an important place in the life and culture of the people of Alice Springs.
2024 - 2028 Olive Pink Botanic Garden Strategic Plan
The Garden Design Master Plan is a key supporting document of the Olive Pink Strategic Plan. Its purpose is to encapsulate a botanic garden that serves as a memorial to Olive Pink, become an important tourism asset for Central Australia, and be an important place in the life and culture of the people of Alice Springs.
Governance EOIs
Are you interested in contributing to the health and growth of one of Central Australia’s community treasures?
Send through your details using the link below and we’ll add you to a register of interest for consideration when Board positions become available.
Our Staff & Supporters
Since 2012, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden has operated with approximately 2 to 2.5FTE staff, who work closely with local volunteers, community-minded organisations and other groups to sustain and grow the vision of the garden.
Other Key Community Supporters
We have strong community participation and involvement through numerous volunteer and environment groups.
Australian Plants Society Alice Springs Inc
The Plant Society is instrumental in promoting the appreciation of Central Australia's native flora.
Landcare Alice Springs
The Alice Springs Field Naturalists group is a bunch of enthusiasts or experts on all manner of natural history topics from geology to our fabulous local flora and fauna
Alice Springs Field Naturalists Club
The Alice Springs Field Naturalists group is a bunch of enthusiasts or experts on all manner of natural history topics from geology to our fabulous local flora and fauna
Alice Springs Land for Wildlife – Central Australia
Olive Pink Botanic Garden has a long history of collaboration with Land for Wildlife, enabling Land for Wildlife to co-host workshops, events, and information sessions.
Alice Springs Toastmasters
Alice Springs Toastmasters is a social club that hold regular meetings at the Garden.
Alice Springs Corrections
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden has a strong partnership with the correctional centre, offering pre-release participants voluntary employment in a safe environment.
Arid Lands Environment Centre
The Arid Lands Environment Centre has collaborated closely with OPBG on various community events and environmental campaigns.
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Batchelor has had a long-standing relationship with the Olive Pink Botanic Garden to provide a venue for specific Indigenous training and sharing resources.
Our Sponsors & Memberships
Northern Territory Government
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden receives annual operating funding from the Northern Territory Government.
Alice Springs Desert Park
The Desert Park maintains a close relationship with Olive Pink. The Olive Pink Growers Group consists of volunteers propagating native plants from Central Australia for the Garden and sale to the Alice Springs community, volunteering twice weekly year-round.
Tourism Central Australia
Tourism Central Australia is an advocate and lobby group for the tourism industry in Central Australia.