Australian Inland Botanic Gardens
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Australian Inland Botanic Gardens New South Wales |
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 Australian Inland Botanic Gardens
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| Nearest town or city | Mourquong |
| Coordinates | 34°8′9.6″S 142°8′20.4″E / 34.136000°S 142.139000°ECoordinates: 34°8′9.6″S 142°8′20.4″E / 34.136000°S 142.139000°E |
| Established | 1989 |
| Area | 152 hectares (380 acres) |
| Managing authorities | Committee of management |
| Website | Australian Inland Botanic Gardens |
The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG; previously: Sunraysia Oasis Botanical Gardens) is a botanical garden in the Australian state of New South Wales located within The Mallee and the Sunraysia regions. It is located on River Road in Wentworth Shire's Mourquong 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Buronga. The regional city of Mildura, Victoria is located nearby, across the Mildura/Buronga George Chaffey Bridge. AIBG is the Southern Hemisphere's first semi-arid botanical gardens. Its specialization in arid-adapted species is unique among New South Wales and Victoria botanic gardens.
Scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) are credited with the idea to form the gardens and the inaugural meeting of the Garden's Steering Committee met in 1983. Five years later, the land, previously used as a sheep grazing property, was acquired as a donation to the community. The volunteer group, Friends of the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, was also developed in 1988. In 1989, AIBG was established. John Wrigley, inaugural Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, drew up the master plan.
The first planting occurred in 1991. AIBG patrons, Lady Stephen and Sir Ninian Stephen, the former Governor-General of Australia, participated by planting Eucalyptus citriodora along the entrance drive. The first planting also included the garden's first floral display area of Australian salt-tolerant flora. In the same year, Garnpang, a historic, pine log sheep station homestead, was acquired by the Mildura Historical Society and subsequently dismantled for transport to AIBG. Much of it was rebuilt at the Gardens. It is used in a variety of ways, including as a temporary visitors' centre, classroom space and as a social centre. Garnpang's surrounding path is made of locally mined gypsum.
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