Newland Head 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: 

Victor Harbor Natural Resources Centre
Phone: (+61 8) 8552 0300
Email:  DEW.FleurieuOnlineBookings@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 Victor Harbor Natural Resource Centre on (08) 8552 0300 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

Marine mammals
If you find a sick or stranded marine mammal (including whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins), please contact Victor Harbor Natural Resource Centre on (08) 8552 0300 or the after-hours duty officer on 0427 556 676 (outside of business hours)

Newland Head Conservation Park is located 91km south of Adelaide. Access is via Waitpinga Road, Victor Harbor.

• Park map

Parks are for all to enjoy, we would love to hear from you about your experience in nature. You can share your comments, pictures and videos with us and others by tagging @NationalParksSA on Facebook,  Instagram or email us.

Facilities 

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet located at the Waitpinga Beach carpark.

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 contact the visitor service centre via email or on Facebook, or you can live chat with a customer service representative on the website Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

There are picnic areas, BBQ facilities, toilets, disabled toilets and camping facilities located in this park.

• Camping safety
• 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.

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

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
• Park maps

Moderate hikes

• Ridgeway Hill Loop Hike (7.5 km, 3.5 hours return)

Wildflowers and birds in spring. Flat trail crossing open mallee then through dense flowering understorey. A variety of birds can be seen in spring.

• Coastal Cliffs Loop Hike (8.6 km, 4 hours return)

Spectacular coastal views from rolling hills and steep cliff tops, watch for White-bellied Sea-Eagles on the way.

• Campground to Beach Hike (750 m, 20 min one way)

Crossing the dunes and spectacular views. This short cut to Waitpinga Beach has some steep climbs. Remain on pathway at all times to protect sensitive dunes.

• Heysen Trail (14.3 km, variable)

Beach walking, lookouts, cliff top views, coastal vegetation and the Southern Ocean. It extends from Parsons Beach along Waitpinga Beach then to the eastern end of the park through Waitpinga Cliffs with exceptional coastal views.

Waitpinga campground is just a short walk from the beach, where the rolling waves provide ideal conditions for surfing or a spot of fishing. Sheltered from the winds, you can camp among the mallee or open areas protected by shrubs in one of the 15 unpowered sites. Most sites are a short walk to your vehicle. Toilets and a large communal gas barbecue area are provided.

Fees apply and you must book in advance.

• Book before you go

Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach are renowned for surf fishing. Popular species to target include Australian salmon and yellow eye mullet.

Fishing is actively managed in South Australia by the Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA.
Check out these useful links before embarking on your fishing adventure:

• Recreational fishing regulations
• SA recreational fishing guide app
• Aquatic reserves

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?

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:

• keep to defined walking trails and follow the trail markers
• wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
• carry sufficient drinking water
• be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
• Walk, hike or trek - what's the difference?

When camping in a National Park, it's important to remember the following:

• Always let someone responsible know your travel plans, especially when travelling in remote areas. It's a good idea to let them know when you expect to return.
• Check the weather forecast before you leave, including overnight temperatures on the Bureau of Meteorology. Even during very mild weather, the nights can get very cold. 
• The quality and quantity of water cannot be guaranteed within parks. Please bring plenty of water and food to be self-sufficient.
• Always camp in designated sites (where applicable) - do not camp beneath trees with overhanging branches, as they can drop without warning. It's also a good idea to check that there are no insect nests nearby.
• Check to make sure you're not camping in a natural waterway, flash floods can happen anytime.
• If camp fires are permitted, you must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Extinguish your camp fire with water (not sand or dirt) until the hissing sound stops.
• Ensure that you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.

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, 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.

The park's beaches are not suitable for swimming due to strong rips and hidden gutters.

• Beach Safe

Please be aware:  

• Rock climbing and abseiling have the potential to be dangerous and care must be taken.
• That if you do not have the skills required, please ensure you are guided by a qualified trainer.
• If you are planning a rock climbing or abseiling trip please be aware that you do so at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety.
• The reliability of any existing fixed protection (bolts, etc.) or rock surfaces is not guaranteed.
• Rock faces may have loose rocks that could fall.
• Climbers are reminded to take adequate safety precautions.

If you want to learn more about rock climbing, why not connect with like-minded people in the Climbing Club of South Australia.

Every national park is different, each has its own unique environment, it is important to be responsible while enjoying all the park has to offer.

Please ensure that you:

• leave your pets at home
• do not feed birds or other animals, it promotes aggressive behaviour and an unbalanced ecology
• do not bring generators (except where permitted), chainsaws or firearms into the park
• leave the park as you found it - there are no bins in national parks, please come prepared to take your rubbish with you. 
• abide by the road rules (maintain the speed limit)
• respect geological and heritage sites
• do not remove native plants
• are considerate of other park users.

• 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.

Vehicle entry to this park is free, however fees apply for camping.

Campsites need to be booked prior to arrival.

Click through to the online booking page for more details about individual campgrounds and fees.

Book online

Book online to reserve your campsite up to 12 months in advance.

FAQs about booking online

Book and pay in person

If you are unable to book and pay online you can do so, in person, at these booking agents across the state.

For online bookings enquiries please email:

DEW.FleurieuOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au

School groups

For detailed instructions on how to book camping and day visits for schools please visit the school bookings page.