History Festival: Curating a historic garden - a tour of Wittunga

Date: Wednesday 25 May, 2022

Time: 1pm - 2pm

Location: Please meet at the car park atWittunga Botanic Garden

Tickets: $15

BOOK HERE - SOLD OUT

Explore Wittunga Botanic Garden’s rich history and the current horticultural practices and changes that have evolved into the garden today.

Join Curator Evan Brougham, for a guided tour of Wittunga Botanic Garden in this History Festival event.

On this gentle stroll, you will explore the origins of Wittunga - once owned by the Ashby family - and learn how it became a botanic garden.

Learn about the South African and South Australian native plant collections favoured by the Ashby family, who travelled incredible distances to collect seeds and grow them in the homestead garden.

Discover the similarities between plants from the South African Fynbos and Western Australian Heath Beds, and the collection’s current conservation value.

Explore the horticultural practices used today - once championed by the Ashby family many years ago - along with new practices that get the best out of the plants whilst keeping the heritage and legacy of Wittunga alive.

Event information

What to bring:

The tour will take place outdoor in the Gardens, so please wear appropriate footwear (closed shoes) and dress to the weather conditions. The weather can be quite mild in the Gardens, with spontaneous light rain and wind from time to time, so we recommend bringing a suitable outdoor jacket.

Parking/Facilities:

Free parking is available in the car park off Shepherds Hill Road. Alternatively, catch a Bus & Train: Check Adelaide Metro for bus services to Blackwood and train services to Coromandel Station.

Toilets and refreshments are available in the Garden.

Weather Policy:

Please bring your warm jackets and beanies if the weather is cool. The Event is outdoors in the Garden and will go ahead in wet weather. It will only be cancelled in extreme weather conditions. We will notify you prior to the event if it is cancelled and reschedule the event. Refunds will only apply if the event is cancelled or you are not available to attend the rescheduled event. Refunds are not available for change of mind however please contact us as there may be people on the wait list.

Accessibility:

Bitumen paths are provided throughout the garden, however patrons are advised that some of this tour takes place on grass surfaces and natural walking tracks.

Please remember:

• Practice good hygiene, wash your hands regularly, and utilize the hand sanitiser available while in the Garden.

• If you have any COVID-19 symptoms on the day of the tour, stay at home and contact our staff to discuss options.

• For more COVID-related information, please visit http://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au

We look forward to seeing you there.