14/06/2026
What a sight! Our Wattles are beautiful!
The Acacia maconochieana is putting on an incredible display at the front gate of Olive Pink Botanic Garden. Seeing this species flower so profusely is rare, and right now it's a mass of brilliant yellow blooms, humming with busy bees and filling the air with a beautiful fragrance.
Also known as the Air-conditioner wattle or Salt wattle, it is a rare but highly resilient tree species native to the hot, arid regions of central and northwestern Australia. It thrives in harsh, semi-desert conditions and is renowned for its tolerance of salinity and waterlogging.
Named after renowned botanist John Maconochie, who worked at the Alice Springs Herbarium from 1967–1984, this wattle honours a man who made significant contributions to the study of Acacias, Hakeas and Cycads in Central Australia.
John worked closely with Des Nelson, a good friend of Miss Olive Pink, and even gave Des's son, Alex Nelson, his first job at the NT Herbarium in 1978/79. Alex is now a valued member of the Olive Pink Botanic Garden Board of Trustees, making this flowering display feel even more special.
His legacy lives on throughout Alice Springs, including Maconochie Road in Desert Springs.
If you're visiting, be sure to slow down as you come through the gate and take in this spectacular display.
Also, be sure to share your photos by uploading them to our Photo comp for 2026
https://territory.games/c/olive-pink-photo-competition-2026
Tourism and Events NT Alice Springs Town Council The Bean Tree Cafe