Nangawooka Flora Reserve is a demonstration native plant garden developed by community groups, including the Fleurieu Peninsula sub-goup of APS, on Adelaide Road just north of Victor Harbor.

On the outskirts of Victor Harbor, on the corner opposite to Urimbirra Wildlife Park, sits a small 5 acre reserve dedicated to the diversity of the Australian bush. Nangawooka, which is an Aboriginal word meaning 'place of springs', is an oasis of Aussie colour in winter and spring. It was established in 1982 on land made available for a Native Flora Reserve by the Victor Harbor Council. It was founded by the Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula with assistance from the local Council and one year later, the South Coast Field Naturalists became involved. In 1985 a third club became associated – the Fleurieu group of what was then the Society for Growing Australian Plants (SGAP) and now the Australian Plants Society (APS), which, with the assistance of the Council, has continued to design, plant, maintain and manage the reserve to this day. More recently, a volunteer group, Friends of Nangawooka, has been formed to assist in this very large task.

Australia has over 15,000 flowering plants of which 12,000 are found nowhere else in the world. Nangawooka contains over 2,000 plants, most of which are labelled. It is envisaged that local and drought tolerant plants will form a large part of future plantings. It is a council public reserve and everyone is most welcome to use it either as individuals or for group activities such as weddings. There are many memorial seats and benches throughout the park as well as a Gazebo erected by the Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula, in memory of Alison Ashby MBE for her work in Flora & Fauna. To assist with funds, the Fleurieu Group of APS conducts plant sales in Spring and Autumn at the Lutheran Hall, just down Adelaide Road towards Victor Harbor. Nangawooka is open every day during daylight hours.

Facilities available:

• Picnic areas
• Benches
• Toilet
• Gazebo
• Bird hide & haven for native birds.

Some bird species that visit Nangawooka

• Black-chinned Honeyeaters
• Superb Blue Wrens
• Rainbow Lorikeets

Articles about the club and Nangawooka appear regularly in the Victor Harbor “Times”

If you would like to use the reserve as a group or join the “Friends of Nangawooka” please contact Bruce or Helen Williams on 0419827166 or 0417844674.

To find out more about the Fleurieu group of APS, their interesting meetings and day field trips, please see the Fleurieu group page