Wittunga Botanic Garden

Contrasting against suburban Blackwood, the 13-hectare Wittunga Botanic Garden is a hidden oasis. Wittunga is dedicated to the display of water-wise plants from Australia and South Africa, featuring brilliant displays of Ericas and Proteas in spring, plus an extensive collection of plants from Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Native birds are attracted to the garden's flowering plants and the shady lawns make Wittunga Botanic Garden a popular setting for family gatherings and lakeside picnics. The centrepiece of the garden is an attractive lake that separates the Australian native plants featuring banksias, grevilleas and hakeas from the South African plants of proteas and leucadendrons on the opposite side. The garden also features a butterfly garden and a planting of grey box woodland, endangered in South Australia. Keep an eye out for koalas! The Wittunga Naming Walk demonstrates how plants are named scientifically and the origins of their names - whether from a person or a characteristic of the plant. There are 24 interpretative signs installed throughout the garden, stationed alongside the relevant plant. Join garden guides every Tuesday for free a guided walk. Walks leave from the Shepherds Hill Road car park at 10:30am.