Visiting the garden
The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden is at 144 Stuart Highway, Port Augusta. Entry is free, and donations are welcome. It is an easy stop on the way in or out of town, with marked walks, a visitor center and a cafe.
The garden acknowledges the Barngarla and Nukunu people, and presents Port Augusta as a meeting place for several language groups. This site is an independent guide. It is not run by the garden or its volunteers, so check the garden's current notices before you go.
Hours and the cafe
Hours as listed in 2026. The gate hours are not the cafe hours.
| What | Weekdays | Weekends and public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Garden gates | 7:30 a.m. to sunset | 7:30 a.m. to sunset |
| Visitor center | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Cafe breakfast | 9 to 11 a.m. | 10 to 11 a.m. |
| Cafe lunch | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
Coffee and cake are available during opening hours. The visitor center is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday. On days of Catastrophic Fire Danger the garden and the center are closed, so check the fire danger rating in summer.
Tours from Port Augusta
Day trips and longer tours into the Flinders Ranges and the Outback, with live prices and availability.
Walks and the guided tour
Four marked walks and a short guided tour on weekdays.
Marked walks
The garden has 4 marked walks, among them the Highlights Walk and the Red Cliff Walk. A map is available in the shop or as a download. Walk lengths and surfaces vary, so ask at the center if you need an accessible route.
Guided tour
A guided walk starts at 10 a.m. on weekdays except public holidays. It costs A$10 for adults and A$6 for children and students (2026). Book by phone or in the shop.
Coastal Path
A shared walking and cycling path runs from Back Beach to the garden, with several places to join it. Published lengths range from 6.4 to 7.8 km one way, so check where you start before you plan the distance.
Lookouts
The Matthew Flinders Red Cliffs Lookout is one of the garden's viewpoints. Caravans and motorhomes can park there too.
Rules and practical tips
Things that catch visitors out.
Parking with a caravan
There are drive-through parking spaces for caravans and motorhomes, including at the lookouts.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on a leash in the marked area next to the car park and at the Matthew Flinders Red Cliffs Lookout. They are not allowed in the rest of the garden or on the paths.
Smoking and vaping
The whole site is smoke-free and vape-free.
Heat
Summer afternoons are hot here. Go early or late and see the weather page for monthly highs and lows.
Combine it with other stops
The garden fits well with a morning in town.
Arid Lands Botanic Garden: common questions
Is the garden free?
Yes. Entry is free, and the garden welcomes donations. The guided tour is paid: A$10 for adults and A$6 for children and students (2026).
What time does it open?
The gates are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. The visitor center opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and at 10 a.m. on weekends and public holidays, and closes at 4 p.m.
Can I bring my dog?
Only on a leash in the marked area beside the car park and at the Matthew Flinders Red Cliffs Lookout. Dogs are not allowed in the rest of the garden.
Is it open on hot days?
On days of Catastrophic Fire Danger the garden and the center are closed. On other hot days, go early and carry water.
When is the cafe open?
Breakfast runs from 9 to 11 a.m. on weekdays and from 10 to 11 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Can I park a caravan?
Yes. There are drive-through spaces for caravans and motorhomes, also at the lookouts.