Ngaut Ngaut 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.

Mannum Aboriginal Community Association Inc.
Address: 4030 Hunter Road, Nildottie SA 5238
Mobile: 0488052370
Email: issobellee@gmail.com
Fax: (08) 8570 1203

Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park is located along the west side of the River Murray approximately 12 kms south of Swan Reach and close to the Nildottie Township. It is approximately 170km north of Adelaide.

You can access the park by either the Walker Flat-Mannum Road or the Swan Reach–Walker Flat Road, via Hunter Road and Purnong Road. Both require crossing via a ferry if you are coming from the Mannum side of the River.

In recognition of the cultural significance of this park we request that you contact the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association prior to planning a visit to the park.

• Park map

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.

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.

• Ngaut Ngaut: an interpretive cultural guide

• 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. 

The Ngaut Ngaut Co-management Board is proud to be able to manage the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park. The co-management model provides the framework for MACAI (Mannum Aboriginal Community Association Incorporated) and DEWNR to share responsibility for the park.

Unlike most other co-managed parks in South Australia, co-management of Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park has occurred independently of the native title settlement process. The Nganguraku and Ngaiwang people have an ancient and strong connection and involvement with the land and waters of this area and this continues to this day.

Word from the Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park Co-management Board

We are actively involved in protecting and managing the natural and cultural values of the park. Experienced guides from the MACAI take tourists and school groups on tours to promote cross-cultural understanding. Visitors learn about Nganguraku and Ngaiwang people and traditions, Dreamings and oral histories, rock art and archaeological excavations, and the park’s flora and fauna.

The park protects extensive rock engravings and significant sites that continue to be important to our people today, evidence that Nganguraku and Ngaiwang people have been part of this country for eons.

The Board’s vision for the park is to protect environmental and cultural sites and objects of value to Aboriginal people and their culture while playing a role, through tourism and school visits, in raising awareness of Aboriginal culture and heritage and the environment in the wider community.

• Ngaut Ngaut: an interpretive cultural guide

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

This culturally and historically significant conservation park is best accessed through a guided tour with an experienced guide from the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association. On the tour you can:

• Learn about the Nganguraku people and their traditions, Dreamings and oral histories.
• Marvel at the rock art engraved into the limestone walls of the rockshelter.
• Observe the archaeological excavations and be inspired by the deep and dynamic Aboriginal past that stretches back in time for thousands of years.
• Learn about the flora and fauna of the park.
• Experience the natural landscape of the region from a cliff top viewing area.

To organise a visit and guided tour of the cultural area of the park, contact:

Sam & Ivy
Phone: 0488052370 

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.

Can I have a fire or barbecue?

• Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited between 1 November 2019 to 30 April 2020.
  • Exceptions being during the fire danger season for cultural purposes eg. smoking ceremonies except for total fire ban days. 
• You must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within national parks is prohibited.
• Gas fires and liquid fuel fires are permitted through the year, 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.

In recognition of the cultural significance of this park, we request that you contact the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association prior to planning a visit to the park.

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.

The park is classified to protect sites and items of significance to Aboriginal people and their culture. In recognition of the cultural significance of this park we request that you contact the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association prior to planning a visit to the park.

Mannum Aboriginal Community Association Inc.
Address: 4030 Hunter Road, Nildottie SA 5238
Mobile: 0488052370
Email: issy@ngarrindjeri.org.au
Fax: (08) 8570 1203

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.