Adelaide’s corpse flower is about to bloom

One year on from Putricia’s bloom, Adelaide is officially on corpse flower watch.

One of the world’s rarest (and stinkiest) flowers is growing fast at Adelaide Botanic Garden, and its long-awaited bloom could happen any day now.

A giant titan arum, affectionately nicknamed ‘Smellanie’, is rapidly approaching bloom at Adelaide Botanic Garden , and horticulturists are bracing for crowds in the thousands once it finally opens.

The notoriously foul-smelling plant, officially known as Amorphophallus titanum, but more commonly known as a corpse flower, has surged to an eye-watering 191 centimetres tall, growing another six centimetres in a single day. With daily updates, livestreams and mounting hype across social media, anticipation is reaching fever pitch.

And when it blooms, it will not be subtle.

Why this bloom is such a big deal

Titan arum or Amorphophallus Titanum at the botanical garden — The corpse flower only blooms for one to two days. (Image: Getty Images / Robert Buchel)

Corpse flowers are famous for two things: their enormous size and their powerful odour, often likened to rotting flesh. The smell is strongest during the first 24 hours of flowering and is designed to attract pollinating insects in the wild.

The catch? This spectacle only lasts one to two days, and the plant can take 15+ years between blooms, making each flowering a genuine once-in-a-blue-moon event.

According to the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia, fewer than 1000 corpse flowers remain in the wild in Sumatra. That rarity, combined with the plant’s brief flowering window, means cultivated blooms like this one are closely watched around the world.

Thousands expected to visit

When Smellanie finally opens, Adelaide Botanic Garden expects huge crowds, with visitor numbers potentially surging into the tens of thousands over just a few days.

Adelaide isn’t the first Australian city to be swept up in corpse flower mania. In 2025, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden drew massive crowds when its corpse flower ‘Putricia’ bloomed, sparking long queues, livestreams and wall-to-wall media coverage.

The flower is housed inside the Bicentennial Conservatory, where staff are preparing for long queues, peak-time congestion and a wave of curious locals, tourists, families and plant obsessives eager to experience the bloom in person.

The Garden has confirmed that viewing will be free, with visitors able to queue daily while the flower is in bloom. Staff will manage crowd flow, and those unable to attend in person can follow along via a livestream and social updates .

Will today be the day?

As of the latest update, Smellanie has not yet bloomed, but all signs suggest it is getting close.

“Will Monday be the day?" the garden teased on Instagram, as fans tuned in from around the country to watch the plant’s progress centimetre by centimetre.

Once the outer sheath starts to loosen and the central spike opens, things move quickly. The smell intensifies, the crowds swell, and Adelaide gets a very short window to witness one of nature’s strangest spectacles.

What to know before you go

Planning to join the queue? Here’s what to expect:

The smell is strongest during the first 24 hours of flowering
Blooming typically lasts between 24 and 48 hours
Viewing takes place inside the Bicentennial Conservatory
Entry is free, but wait times are likely during peak periods
Livestreams are available for those who can’t attend in person

More than just a novelty

While the corpse flower’s stench tends to steal the spotlight, the bloom is also a significant conservation milestone.

Adelaide Botanic Garden has been cultivating titan arums since 2006, helping to safeguard the species through careful horticulture, research and propagation. Each successful bloom offers valuable insight into a plant that remains poorly understood in the wild.

Still, let’s be honest. Most people are coming for the smell. When Smellanie finally blooms, Adelaide will briefly become home to one of the most talked-about flowers on Earth. Blink and you’ll miss it. Hold your nose and you won’t.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

Adelaide’s corpse flower is about to bloom – and thousands are expected to line up for the smell