The idyllic Olive Pink Botanical Gardens were named for Olive Pink, the botanical illustrator and anthropologist who campaigned for Aboriginal rights long before it was fashionable and also persuaded the government to set aside land for a flora reserve.
The reserve features plants native to the area including a number of bushfood plants which the traditional owners of the land eat and use for medicines, including the native lemongrass that is used to relieve colds and flu and the bush tomato used to treat toothaches.
There are a number of self-guided tours you can take through the gardens including the Bushfoods Walk and the Wattle Walk which takes you on a comprehensive tour of Australia’s bright yellow floral national emblem.
It is a 10-15 minute walk to the gardens from downtown Alice Springs along the path by the Todd River. There is a café on site where you can eat while you’re entertained by local birdlife including the western bowerbirds.
