Australian Inland Botanic Gardens

The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens (AIBG) is the southern hemisphere's first semi-arid garden specializing in arid-adapted species.

It is located in Mourquong in the Wentworth Shire of south-west New South Wales, near the city of Mildura and the Murray River.

The AIBG was established in 1989, following the suggestion of scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The land, previously used for sheep grazing, was donated to the community. The Gardens' master plan was drawn up by John Wrigley, the inaugural Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The first planting included Eucalyptus citriodora and the establishment of a floral display area for salt-tolerant flora. Garnpang, a historic pine log sheep station homestead, was dismantled and rebuilt at the Gardens to serve as a visitors' center and classroom space. AIBG hired full-time employees in 1992 and installed an irrigation system using water from the Murray River. The Gardens also feature a Rose Garden, a train purchased from Mourquong's Orange World, and a windmill donated by a local resident.

Initially occupying 49 hectares, AIBG is now a 152-hectare botanic garden. The area includes river frontages, clifftops for potential facility development, a Mallee sandhill fenced area, and a nature trail.

AIBG has over 20,000 plants, with nearly 50% of them being labelled. The collections include Australian native plants, as well as flora from New Zealand, Africa, Europe, Asia, and North and South America. The Gardens preserve mature mallee, some of which