Named After An Early Kaurna Man

Palmer Gardens / Pangki Pangki (Park 28)

Did you know that Pangki Pangki was the name of a local Kaurna tracker and guide?

Palmer Place Gardens, City of Adelaide Archives, LS0068B, circa 1909

Tree Planting in Palmer Place, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1029, circa 1890s

View north west from St Peter's Cathedral overlooking Palmer Gardens, City of Adelaide Archives, HP0334, date unknown

Matthew Moorhouse

Colonel George Palmer

In July 1841, Pangki Pangki accompanied Matthew Moorhouse, the 'Protector of Aborigines', to Lake Bonney and the Rufus River to meet Robinson's overland party. This was the site of a well-documented massacre in which some 30 Aborigines were shot dead, ten were wounded and four taken prisoner.

Colonel George Palmer (1799-1883), after whom the gardens are named, was a South Australian Colonisation Commissioner, whose efforts led to the establishment of the colony of South Australia.

Palmer Gardens / Pangki Pangki retains its original shape as shown on Colonel Light's 1837 plan of Adelaide.

The gardens have a Victorian-style character, seen from the surrounding Victorian mansions, Bishops Lodge and Christ Church, the cross-axial pathway dating from the 1860s, the original slate kerbing, cast iron bollards and early tree plantings. Some of the palms date from the 1890s.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

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