Barossa's Parks

Discover several picturesque parks nestled in the rolling hills of the Barossa. Shying away from the spotlight, these secluded pockets of bushland provide a wonderful diversity of nature experiences, ranging from birdwatching to rewarding bushwalking trails.

For more information on scenic drives and walking trails in the Barossa please visit our Walking Trails and Scenic Drives page

The Barossa Gold Rush

Did you know the Barossa Valley once had its very own gold rush? The first glimmer of gold discovered here in 1868, sparked a frenzy of activity with up to 4,000 fortune-seekers descending upon the region. Today, two interesting walking trails in Para Wirra Recreation Park reveal relics of its short-lived mining boom, including numerous mine shafts dug using a simple shovel or pick, and an occasional gunpowder blast.
To relive the region's gold rush days, be sure to visit the annual Para Wirra Open Day on Sunday, 25 September 2011. Bring the family to see blacksmithing demonstrations, indulge in some damper and Billy Tea or join in the fun of gold panning with the help of the Friends of Barossa Goldfield Historical Society dressed in period costume. For more details, phone 0407 712 621. Please note fossicking is not permitted at Para Wirra. 

For more information on the Barossa Goldfields Walking Trail visit our Walking Trails and Scenic Drives page

Para Wirra Recreation Park

Para Wirra is one of the major recreation parks in the greater Adelaide area. Taking its name from a Kaurna Aboriginal phrase meaning ‘river with scrub' Para Wirra features a stunning bush landscape covered with leafy eucalypt trees featuring Pink Gums, Blue Gums and glorious golden wattles in spring. The park's fantastic network of scenic drives and bushwalking trails offer good opportunities to spot kangaroos and some of the park's 120 bird species. To learn more about the historic gold rush that occurred here in the mid-1800s, follow the 1.4km Victoria Hill Walk. Para Wirra offers excellent recreational facilities including a bush oval, picnic and barbecue facilities. Just be on the lookout for emus that casually wander through the picnic ground. Accommodation is available at the rustic Mack Creek Hut, an ideal setting for nature lovers seeking a peaceful escape from the city. For more information and bookings, call the Para Wirra Park Office on 08 8280 7048 or visit the Department of Environment and Heritage website. 

GoogleMap location of the Para Wirra Recreation Park >>>

Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park

Seasonal creeks, granite outcrops, low-lying forest and native grasslands set the scene for picturesque Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park. Nestled between the towns of Tanunda and Angaston, the park offers wonderfully diverse flora, with sheoaks, yaccas, wattles and stringybark trees among its 400 species of plants. To immerse yourself in the park's beautiful bushland setting, follow the 2km Stringybark Loop or Wallowa Loop Trail (6.5km) which features the unusual granite formation of Horse Head Rock. Don't miss the short detour to a scenic lookout for splendid views of the Barossa Ranges. The park offers great opportunities to see small gatherings of Western Grey Kangaroos grazing on the open grasslands, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. There are no facilities in this park. 
For more information please visit the Department for Environment and Heritage website

GoogleMap location of the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park >>>

Warren Conservation Park

Warren Conservation Park features some of the best views of the Barossa Valley. Challenging walking trails reward your efforts with uninterrupted views of secluded gullies, bushland and the spectacular reservoir of Warren Gorge. Remember to bring your binoculars for a closer look at the park's rich diversity of bird life. There are no facilities in this park. 
For more information please visit the Walking Trails Support Group website

GoogleMap location of the Warren Conservation Park >>>

Hale Conservation Park

A haven for rare native wildlife, Hale Conservation Park is ideally suited to those seeking a sense of tranquillity and isolation. A four-hour hiking trail explores the park's rocky ridges and leafy woodlands. For a few weeks each winter, stunning blooms of red fl ame heath carpet the landscape - a captivating sight for photographers and nature lovers. There are no facilities on site. 
For more information please visit the Walking Trails Support Group website

GoogleMap location of the Hale Conservation Park >>>

Sandy Creek Conservation Park

Superb Fairy-wrens, Red Wattlebirds and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters are just a few of the 130 bird species recorded at Sandy Creek, including 63 resident species. The park protects a small pocket of the Barossa's original native vegetation that thrives on its sandy soil lowlands. Bring your binoculars for a great birdwatching experience and lookout for the Marbled Geckos as you stroll along the park's occasional creeks. Accommodation is available at Sandy Creek Youth Hostel, a lovely renovated farmhouse, located in the park. Call 08 8414 3000 for accommodation details and bookings.
For more information please visit the Walking Trails Support Group website

GoogleMap location of the Sandy Creek Conservation Park >>>