Bicentennial Conservatory
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| Photo: D. Jeisman. |
Built to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary (1988), the Bicentennial
Conservatory in the Adelaide Botanic Garden is the largest single
span conservatory in the southern hemisphere. Designed by South
Australian architect Guy Maron, the building is curvilinear in shape,
100 metres long, 47 metres wide and 27 metres high. An elegant steel
superstructure supports the 2434 square metres of toughened glass
which forms the roof, walls and doors. Its glistening and distinctive
shape is a landmark particularly for visitors flying into Adelaide.
The Bicentennial Conservatory houses a display of lowland tropical
rainforest plants from northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
and the nearby Pacific Islands. Many of these plants are at risk
or endangered in their natural habitats.
A lower walkway winds across the undulating forest floor and an
upper walkway takes visitors among the canopy of tropical trees
and palms. Both walkways have full wheelchair access.
Environment
 The
warm and humid conditions required by the tropical rainforest plants
in the Bicentennial Conservatory are maintained by computer. Twelve
sensors within the building and a weather station on the roof continually
collect data for the computer which makes appropriate adjustments
to the heating, misting and ventilation.
A thousand nozzles positioned on the inside of the roof structure
"cloud" by emitting many thousands of microscopic droplets
of water which act as a very efficient cooling, shading and humidifying
system when required. Night time temperature is maintained at 15º
C with a minimum daytime temperature of 23º C, and a maximum
of 33º C. The relative humidity is maintained between 70% and
80%.
 Insect
pests thrive in this environment and this has led to the development
by Botanic Gardens staff of an innovative biological pest control
programme including the use of predatory and parasitic beetles,
insects, mites and bacteria. In an interesting joint project with
the Adelaide Zoo, the introduction of six White-browed Wood-swallows
to the Conservatory has successfully controlled the larvae of the
Palm Dart moth which can quickly strip the palm leaves if left unattended.
In January 2004, the Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolor was released
into the Bicentennial Conservatory. These native birds will add
another dimension to the display with their attractive plumage,
animation and distinctive call. The birds will contribute to the
role of the Bicentennial Conservatory as an educative tool by demonstrating
the dependency many species have on each other in the natural environment.
They survive by seeking out insects hidden in the forest litter.
Their foraging helps the fallen plant material to break down at
a faster rate, allowing the natural cycle of nutrients to be accelerated.
Their release is part of the partnership between the Botanic Gardens
and the Adelaide Zoo.
Education
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| Cascade. Designed by Sergio Redegalli, this
sculpture has 500 precision cut pieces of 6mm clear glass glued
to the shape of a cascading wave. |
As an integral part of the Adelaide Botanic Garden the Bicentennial
Conservatory is an important additional educational resource and
gives people a better understanding of the importance of tropical
rainforests. A brochure gives visitors the opportunity to take a
self guiding walk which points out some of the more unusual and
interesting plants and explains the ecology of tropical rainforest.
Over 9,000 school students visited the Bicentennial Conservatory
in 2002.
Some of the plants you can see include the Fishtail Palm (Caryota
sp.), a graceful palm which takes its name from the shape of its
leaves; Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera), one of the most important
plants from tropical regions with all parts in some way useful to
people; and Cassowary Plum (Cerbera floribunda) which has fragrant
white flowers and plum sized blue fruit which are eaten and distributed
by Cassowaries but are poisonous to humans. The Torch Ginger (Etlingera
elatior) is spectacular when in flower.
Opening Hours
Daily 10:00am — 4:00pm (5:00pm during daylight saving).
For group bookings please contact (61 8) 8222 9311.
Admission:
Adults $4.50
Child/Concession $2.40
Family $10.40
(2 adults and accompanying children under 15 years old)
Prices above include GST.
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