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Fleurieu Peninsula SA Drive Now

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National Parks & Wildlife
Fleurieu Peninsula & Kangaroo Island SA

Deep Creek Conservation Park

4,030 hectares Deep Creek Conservation Park is on the southern coast of Fleurieu Peninsula, not far from Cape Jervis. It consists of rugged hills, from which flow streams that water the valleys where native orchids and ferns luxuriate. Vegetation varies from tall forest to wind-blown heath and the park is rich in birdlife and native animals. Where Deep Creek meets the coast, high cliffs Provide stunning vistas across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island. Only occasionally are the cliffs broken by small coves. The Heysen Trail and other walking paths wind through the park and simple camping grounds have been set aside.

The famous Heysen Trail, at 1,500 kilometres the world's longest walking trail, begins near Cape Jervis on its path north to the Flinders Ranges. The Fleurieu Peninsula section of the trail is excellent for both day treks and longer walks and takes you through some superbly varied terrain. From Cape Jervis, the trail follows the coast to Newland Head, where it pushes inland up Newland Hill and on to Myponga Conservation Park, It then turns north-east for Mount Compass and northwards through the Mount Lofty Ranges. The trail is marked with orange triangles, wherever possible, in the tops of pine posts. While close to Adelaide, access to the trail from public transport is generally not available . Some sections of the trail, require bushwalking experience, and, advice should be sought from the Recreation Institute.

Maps are available from the State Information Centre, Plaza level, 25 Grenfell Street, Adelaide.

Talisker Conservation Park

134 hectares Talisker Conservation Park has as its focus the historic Talisker silver and lead mine. The old Cornish miners' diggings, surrounded by steep wooded hills, are listed on the state's register of heritage items. An interpretive display and walking trail explore the mine, its history , natural features and vegetation.

Newland Head Conservation Park

945 hectares This coastal conservation park twelve kilometres west of Victor Harbor includes Waitpinga and Parsons beaches, both noted for their fishing, hard-breaking surf and beachcombing. A series of signposted walking trails is set off from both beaches. There are camping ground facilities, free gas barbecues, rainwater fit for drinking, public conveniences and shelter.

Kangaroo Island

Flinders Chase Visitor Centre phone: 8559 7220
D'Etsrees Bay should be D'Estrees Bay Murray Lagoon phone: 8553 8233
At the park's headquarters at the Seagers Road entrance displays provide information about plant identification and the birdlife.
Kelly Hill Caves phone: 8559 7231
Seal Bay Conservation Park Telephone (08) 8559 4207.

Admiral's Arch

Admiral's Arch is a magnificent natural arch sculpted by the elements. At Cape du Couedic , it is the playground for groups of New Zealand Fur Seals, which laze on the rocks nearby.

Cape Borda Lighthouse

Telephone (08) 8559 3257 Opened in 1858, this lighthouse stands on a cliff 155 metres above the sea on the far western end of the island. Nearby stands a small cannon, once used to warn ships of danger. Firing of the signal cannon is carried out daily. The cemetery close by has thirteen headstones, a stark reminder of the hardships faced by the early settlers. The Cape Borda Heritage Museum displays a collection of relics which depicts the daily life of the settlement and explains the operation of the lighthouse. Guided tours are conducted daily.

Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse

This automatic lighthouse was built in 1906. The remains of a jetty, water tank and storeroom are nearby at Weirs Cove. From here, building materials and other supplies were sent by flying fox to the top of the cliffs. In 1835 the island's largest shipwreck occurred nearby.

Remarkable Rocks

The name says it all, sculpted by the force of wind and sea, Remarkable Rocks at Cape du Couedic stand on a massive granite dome.

Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park

21,254 hectares Covering the expanse of exposed southern coast from Bales Beach to Cape Linois, Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park extends inland to Murray Lagoon. Thousands of years of elemental action have carved high cliffs and caves along its coasts. Here the vegetation consists of hardy heath. Further inland, mallee provides shelter for kangaroos, bandicoots, pigmy possums and marsupial mice. Only bushwalkers can gain access to this park.

D'Etsrees Bay

This is an attractive, long sweep of beach on the south-eastern side of the island, once the site of a whaling station. Subject to the might of the Southern Ocean, its shores have been the location of several shipwrecks. Today, D'Estrees Bay is popular with anglers. Many hours can be spent exploring its length of beach.

Murray Lagoon

Telephone (08) 85532 8233 An important wildlife haven in Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park, Murray Lagoon covers as much as 2,000 hectares after winter rains. It is a food and breeding area for more than two hundred bird species. Walking trails around the lagoon allow visitors to see many of them. At the park's headquarters at the Seagers Road entrance. Displays provide information about plant identification and the birdlife.

Kelly Hill Conservation Park

2180 hectares Stunted coastal heath and hardy mallee thrive in this park, a large section of undulating limestone ridges on the western edge of the island before Flinders Chase National Park. The Hanson Bay Hike winds through the park to the coast from Kelly Hill Caves , while at Kelly Hill Caves, an extensive area of caves, caverns and sinkholes is the park's most popular attraction .

Kelly Hill Caves

Telephone (08) 8553 7231 This popular area features sink holes and caverns which lead to caves of ornate calcite formations. The Kelly Hill Caves contain weird and wonderfully shaped straws, stalactites, stalagmites and strangely contorted helectites. Guided tours are conducted daily and visitors will hear about the history of the caves. Cement paths allow for easy manoeuvring through the cave system.

Seal Bay Conservation Park

750 hectares Telephone (08) 8554207. Seal Bay is famous for its large colony of rare Australian Sea Lions, estimated to comprise ten percent of the world population of the species. The inhabitants are relatively tame, and do tolerate human incursion into their midst. Nonetheless, they can be dangerous and entrance into the area is restricted to minimise disturbance to both the mammals and their breeding. Guided tours take visitors closer to the large mammals. The full length of Seal Bay Conservation Park has been declared an Aquatic Reserve swimming and fishing are prohibited.

South Australian National Parks

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