Local Attractions that may be of interest to visitors.
Click here to view City map – Port Augusta Map
Port Augusta has a number of attractions which are enjoyed by visitors to the city as well as residents. Fishing, sailing and canoeing are popular and dolphins are often seen out on the water.
The city’s art galleries are enjoyed by many and the parks and gardens offer a beautiful place to relax.
Wadlata Outback Centre is home to the region’s Visitor Information Centre, and is also one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions with its Tunnel of Time interactive display. The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden is another major attraction, featuring more than 200 hectares of low-rainfall native Australian plants, which can be purchased from gift and garden shop in its visitor centre.
The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
Commanding superb views of the spectacular and ancient Flinders Ranges, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden showcases a range of arid zone environments within an area of more than 200 hectares. Also featured are special conservation areas where the natural flora can be enjoyed, an extensive network of meandering walking tracks and an Eremophila garden with possibly the largest collection of this genus anyhwere.
Relax with a refreshing drink and delicious homemade fare in the award- winning Visitor Centre and witness the ever changing play of light on the beautiful Flinders Ranges. Or browse over the extensive selection of Australian-made items in the gift shop, and be intrigued by what you’ll discover in our interpretative display about arid Australia.
You may also like to view the displays in the WMC Herbarium – Meeting Room, which was opened in 1998 and is available to groups for meetings and conferences.
Opened in 1996, the Garden provides a national focus for arid-zone ecosystem conservation and promotes its economic importance for Australia. It also aims to increase both popular and scientific understanding of the arid-zone environment as most Australians live in densely populated coastal regions and few are familiar with the unique plant and animal life which flourishes in arid Australia.
In the past, this lack of knowledge gave rise to non-sustainable farming practises, extensive vegetation clearance and inappropriate development, resulting in widespread land degradation and the extinction of many plant and animal species.
But degraded land can be restored and productivity become sustainable. And we can learn about and conserve the remaining genetic diversity of arid Australia’s native plant and animal species and their ecosystems. This is what is happening at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden and we look forward to welcoming you again and again, because progress in the Garden will provide new things to see on every visit!
Our friendly staff will provide you with everything you need to make your visit truly memorable, and they can offer advice on other notable attractions in the region.
Entry to the Garden is free.
Wadlata Outback Centre
Visit the Wadlata Outback Centre – a must see before starting your journey to the Flinders Ranges & Outback.
Walk through its Tunnel of Time, the story of an ancient land, its people and treasures Down Under. Through the mouth of Max the giant “Ripper Lizard”, you’ll discover how the region evolved and highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Multi-sensory displays will take you back to when dinosaurs roamed the land. Learn about the flora and wildlife. Walk a while with Aboriginal people. Follow Akurra, the giant Rainbow Serpents journey. Experience the hardships of explorers and settlers. Discover the transport that opened up the Outback. Drive a dump truck or get caught up in Opal Fever.
It really is a journey you will not forget.