Plants
Messmate stringybark and brown stringybark dominate the forest canopy, and there is a small stand of candlebark gums near the oval. This tall eucalypt with white bark is rare and only found in the higher rainfall areas of the Adelaide Hills. Tiny patches of pink gum, manna gum and blue gum also occur in the park. In the forest understorey, there are many spring-flowering shrubs, including myrtle-leaved wattle, beaked hakea and large-leaved bush-pea. The park’s flora was affected by bushfires in February 1980 and January 1995, but weeds are the main threat to native plants.
Animals
The rare southern brown bandicoot and yellow-footed antechinus, along with several lizard, snake and frog species, inhabit the park, but most are rarely seen. Birdwatchers might see the superb fairy-wren, scarlet robin, golden whistler, Adelaide rosella and honeyeater species. Invertebrates are the smallest but most abundant and diverse animal group. Look closely at the shapes, colours and behaviours of ants, beetles and butterflies.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the 'Create Simple Species List' tab under 'Flora Tools' or 'Fauna Tools' in NatureMaps.