Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden covers 97 hectares
and is devoted to the cultivation of plants from cool, temperate parts of the world. Opened in 1977, it is the only public garden in South Australia where such plants are especially featured.
Displays include significant plant collections of magnolias, rhododendrons, ferns and the National Species Rose Collection, interspersed with local native flora.
From the lower car park observation point, there is a view west across the Main Lake to the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden and the Rhododendron Valley. A path across the dam of the Main Lake, built in 1981, leads to picnic sites, behind a line of gum trees in a secluded grassy area surrounded by hundreds of different trees. Immediately above these on the ridge summit, beyond the stringy bark Eucalyptus obliqua forest belt is the Noel Lothian Viewing Platform.
A planting of Magnolia and coniferous genera such as Cedrus, Cupressus, Juniperus and Pinus can be found in the Magnolia Gully. A walk goes through Magnolia Gully, and passes through Pinus plantings before entering Fern Gully. Many tree-ferns such as Dicksonia and Cyathea can be found. Fern Gully leads back to Allan Correy Drive beside the Main Lake
Features:
Main Lake
A popular picnic spot with seating and scenic vistas.
Dwarf Conifer Lawn
these plantings demonstrate some of the diversity of dwarf conifers.
Lothian Viewing Platform
From the upper car park a path leads to this viewing platform offering panoramic views across Piccadilly Valley.
Woodland Garden
2 streams meander through the woodland garden and lead to several waterfalls in a gully below. Look for plants native of the northern hemisphere such as Campanula, Pieris, Paeonia, Primula, Viola and Hydrangea and plants from the southern hemisphere and tropical highland regions such as the Vireya rhododendrons.
Take a winter self-guided walk in the Garden
Wollemi Pine
Only 150 plants of this species are known to exist in the wild in Wollemi National Park near Sydney.
BankSA Nature Trail
This sponsored trail features indigenous plants of the region and offers intriguing insights into SA's biodiversity.
National Species Rose Collection
This collection of rose species includes many of the parents from which modern garden roses have been bred over hundreds of years. The collection resonates with colour and perfume in spring and early summer, and the rose hips are spectacular in autumn.
Arboretum
Mt Lofty Botanic Garden has a major collection of trees, with the greatest diversity found in the lower section of the garden below the car park and surrounding the main lake. Discover some truly remarkable tree species from the cool temperate regions of the world including oaks, maples, birches, elms and ash.
MLBG Parking
Ticketed parking is available in either the upper car park. off Mawson Drive or the lower car park, off Lampert Road.
MLBG Opening Hours
Weekdays
8.30 -4pm
Weekends & Public Holidays
10am - 5pm (6pm - daylight saving)
Free Guided Walks from the Lower Car Park Lampert Road, Piccadilly. These walks are held at 10.30am every Thursday. Please wear good walking shoes.
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The Seven Gullies
Magnolia Gully
Magnolias are amongst the oldest flowering plants on earth, with fossilized specimens dated at more that 100 million years old. The magnolias are in full bloom in August -September.
Fern Gully
One of the richest ferm collections in Australia.
South American gully
This area is the realisation of landscape architect Allan Correy's original master plan from the 1960s. Developed following the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983.
Viburnum Gully
This is a great spot for autumn colour and the Cornus kousa is a fantastic sight in mid to late spring
Rhododendron Gully
Providing remarkable displays of colour throughout spring and early summer, this is one of Australia's best collections of rhododendrons. Planted amongst the collection is a large range of Chinese trees and shrubs. Steep paths extend through the valley and should only be taken by those wearing sturdy walking shoes and are fit.
South East Asian Gully
The main component of the collection in this area is the Camellia collection. A variety of species from SE Asia, Japan and the Korean Peninsula complement the camellias.
Spring Gully
Named after the permanent spring. One of the few places remaining which has a natural stand of coral fern still growing in the wild. Another unique plant featured is the King Fern, an endangered indigenous species of the Mount Lofty Ranges. The spring now supplements the water supply in the Main Lake.
