Sandy Creek Conservation Park

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Closures and safety

This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.

You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.

Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:

• Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
• Current CFS warnings and incidents
• Information on what to do in the event of a fire.

Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.

Visitor information, bookings and park management:

Gawler Natural Resources Centre
Phone: (+61 8) 8115 4600
Email: DEW.AMLRGawlerOffice@sa.gov.au

Emergency contacts:

Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations
Phone: Triple Zero - 000

Police Assistance
Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance

National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – After-hours duty officer
Phone: 0427 556 676 

Injured wildlife:

Within the park
Please contact Gawler Natural Resource Centre on (08) 8115 4600 or the after-hours duty officer on 0427 556 676 (outside of business hours)

Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group

Sandy Creek Conservation Park is located 60km, or a one hour drive, north east of Adelaide.

Turn right from the Barossa Valley Highway on to Conservation Park Road and follow the dirt track to the car park.

• Park maps

Dogs are not permitted in this park.

Discover which parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park tool or read 12 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks by Good Living for inspiration.

Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.

As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.

Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or call the information line on (+61 8) 8204 1910.

• Visit the Walking Trails Support Group for maps, leaflets and walking notes produced by park volunteers.

• Parks management plans
• Trails SA
• SA Marine Parks

• Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.

Plants

Featuring mainly low fertility and deep sandy soil, the park is home to stands of southern cypress-pine and pink gum, both now rare in the state. Wildflowers are common in spring, with wattles, daisies, heaths, lilies, gums, banksias, grevilleas and orchids in full bloom. The remnant vegetation in the park is currently under threat, with many species such as pink gums, banksias and bottlebrush failing to regenerate and leading to a decline in bird numbers. One theory for this is the park’s isolation from other large areas of native vegetation. 

Animals

Walkers may hear the occasional ‘plonking’ sound of the bull frog. The eastern bearded dragon and marbled gecko can be seen on sunny days. At dusk look out for western grey kangaroos and echidnas. The park is a haven for birds migrating through the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Plains, with over 130 species being recorded. Diamond firetails – which move around the park in pairs or flocks of up to 30 and mate for life – are an amazing sight.

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. 

Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state. 

There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations.  At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.

In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.

Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia. 

• DEW Park management
• DEW Aboriginal partnerships

In the first half of the twentieth century, much of Sandy Creek Conservation Park was cleared and planted with vines. Low soil fertility saw the vineyards abandoned and, in 1965, the area was dedicated as a conservation park. Sections were named after life-long ornithologists and conservationists, Cecil Rix and Mark Bonnin, who identified many native bird species in the area. The Sir Keith Wilson section of the park was a gift from the Wilson family and the Nature Foundation of SA Inc., which increased the habitat available for numerous birds.

Today, regenerating cleared land and the ruins of a small hut, built in 1918 from locally quarried stone and native pine, remain in the park. In addition, an abandoned vineyard in the southern section contains grasses that provide important habitat for birds such as the grass-dwelling stubble quail.

Bushwalking is a fantastic way to connect with nature, keep fit and spend time with family and friends. 

South Australia's national parks feature a range of trails that let you experience a diversity of landscapes. Our trails cater for all levels of fitness and adventure and our classification system makes it easy to select an experience suitable for you.

• Walk, hike or trek - what's the difference?
• Bushwalking safety
• Bushwalking minimum impact code
• Visit the Walking Trails Support Group for maps, leaflets and walking notes produced by park volunteers.

There are no designated mountain biking trails in this park, however bicycles may be ridden on public roads within the park.

• Which parks can you ride in?

Camping is not permitted within this park.

• Use Find a Park to discover which parks you can camp in.

Want to help?

To find out how you can help in this park or nearby, please visit Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges – Volunteering.

Want to join others and become a Park Friend?

To find out more about Friends of Parks groups please visit Friends of Parks South Australia.

You could join others to help look after a park. You can take part in working bees, training and other events.

The international Trail Users Code of Conduct is to show respect and courtesy towards other trail users at all times.

Ensure that you:

• when hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
• be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
• make sure you have appropriate weather proof clothing
• carry enough water to be self-sufficient
• please be respectful of other users at all times
• stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety, and prevent the spread of declared weeds to other areas in the park
• ensure someone knows your approximate location and expected time of return
• take appropriate maps.
• Walk, hike or trek - what's the difference?

Can I have a fire or barbecue?

• Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year.
• Gas fires and liquid fuel fires are permitted in designated area only, other than on days of total fire ban.
• Ensure you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.

Closures and safety

This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.

You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.

Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:

• Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
• Current CFS warnings and incidents
• Information on what to do in the event of a fire.

Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.

Closures and safety

This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.

You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.

Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:

• Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
• Current CFS warnings and incidents
• Information on what to do in the event of a fire.

Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.

Come and enjoy this park for free. 

This park is not included in the park pass system. 

• Which parks are included in the park pass system?

There is no camping or accommodation available within this park. 

There are no other fees or permits associated with this park.