Arboretum Lussich, Protected arboretum in Maldonado, Uruguay.

Arboretum Lussich covers 192 hectares in Punta Ballena, Maldonado Department, 15 km from Punta del Este and 128 km from Montevideo, reached via Camino Lussich off Route 38. Antonio Lussich planted it from 1897 on land that was then only sand dunes and rocks, and it holds over 400 exotic species and around 60 native Uruguayan ones, including 45 Eucalyptus and 20 Pinus species.

Antonio Lussich, owner of a maritime salvage company, bought 1,800 hectares of sand dunes and rocks here on 5 October 1896, between the Arroyo el Potrero and the Sierra de la Ballena. From 1897 he planted Tamarix, sea pines, Eucalyptus and Acacia trinervis to hold back wind and sand, then added species from every continent for three decades. In December 1979, 182 hectares passed to the Municipality of Maldonado and opened to the public; 10 more were added in 1990.

Antonio Lussich, owner of a maritime rescue company, used its worldwide contacts to obtain seeds and plants from every continent, and next to his house he built shade structures for the plants and aviaries for birds brought from around the world. The first plantings were Tamarix, sea pines, Eucalyptus and Acacia trinervis, set to hold back wind and sand.

The entrance is on Camino Lussich, off Route 38, about 300 m from Route 93; the site lies 15 km from Punta del Este and 128 km from Montevideo. The eastern side of the sierra, sheltered from the strongest southwesterly winds, held the seedbeds and nursery, and thousands of plants were later carried to the exposed western slope. Paths cross sand dunes and rocky ground, so wear firm shoes.

Antonio Lussich built shade houses for plants and aviaries for birds brought from around the world next to the house where he lived, and the eastern side of the sierra, sheltered from the strongest south-west winds, held the seedbeds and nursery. Seedlings were later carried by the thousand to the exposed western slope.