Park of the Month: Murraylands Parks
You’re invited to join us in celebrating Park of the Month in the following Murraylands Parks:
Join us each month as we showcase our amazing national parks with our Park of the Month program.
Park of the Month is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of our special natural places and to find new ways to enjoy them.
What’s on
Ranger-guided 4WD Tag-Along tour
When: Sunday 14 August, 9:00am – 4.00pm
Join Rangers for a 4WD Tag-Along tour through the south west of Ngarkat Conservation Park, experience the range of activities available in the park and learn some more about the behind the scenes activities that take place.
Rangers will allow time to Hike two walking trails, Mount Rescue and Gosse Hill, along the way.
Where:Ngarkat Conservation Park, Snoswells Road Entrance, South West Corner of the Park
Cost: FREE, Vehicle Entry Fee required for entry into Ngarkat Conservation Park
View more information and book
Nature Journaling at Kinchina
Kinchina Conservation Park
When: Sunday 14 August, 10:00am – 12.00pm
Come along to a nature journaling workshop at Kinchina. You’ll receive a kit to get you started, including information on further ideas. Our friendly facilitator will guide you through some easy drawing and writing exercises to help you create a journal of your own. You’ll get plenty of tips for future nature journaling and nature visits. Journaling is a great way to enjoy the park, helping you view it with fresh eyes. This workshop aims to inspire you to journal anywhere and anytime you are out in nature, appreciating it even more.
Where: Kinchina Conservation Park, Maurice Road Entrance, Monarto
Cost: FREE
View more information and book
Wombats and Star Gazing — After Dark Campout
Brookfield Conservation Park
When: Saturday 20 August, 4:00 – 8:00pm, overnight camping available
Brookfield Conservation Park was purchased in 1971 by the Chicago Zoological Society for the conservation of the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat. . The region is also home to the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve, Australia’s only International Dark Sky Reserve and one of only 16 reserves worldwide. The reserve is home to exceptional darkness making it one of the best places on Earth to stargaze.
Join a guided evening wombat walk to learn about the lives of the Southern Hairy-nosed wombat and delve into deep space with a guided star gazing session through a telescope.
Where:Brookfield Conservation Park — Old homestead and shearing shed area
Cost: FREE
View more information and book
Introduction to bird watching
Kinchina Conservation Park
When: Saturday 27 August, 8:30 – 11:00am
Join expert naturalist Phil Barron and our Volunteer Rangers to explore the morning birdlife of Kinchina Conservation Park.
Learn about the wide variety of bird species that depend on the park which preserves the largest section of native vegetation in the Monarto area. This experience will provide you deeper understanding of our precious bush birds and you’ll learn some handy birdwatching skills that you can take away for your next visit to a national park. Some of the species you might see diamond firetail (finch), rufous whistler, shy heathwren, Babblers, dusky woodswallows, hooded and red-capped robins, owlet nightjar and various parrot species.
Where: Kinchina Conservation Park, Maurice Road Entrance, Monarto
Cost: FREE
View more information and book
Mountain Bike — Beginner Skills
Kinchina Conservation Park
When: Saturday 27 August, 12:00 – 2:00pm and 2:30 – 4.30pm
This clinic will teach participants bike handling and control skills in a 90 minute skills clinic led by Head for the Hills coaches. The course will cover basic mountain biking techniques and include a guided ride so participants can put their new skills to use!
We will cover topics such as:
- balance & control skills
- body position
- braking techniques
- navigating small obstacles
Where: Kinchina Conservation Park, Maurice Road Entrance, Monarto
Cost: $20 ($20 for bike hire)
View more information and book
Welcome to Country and Ranger Guided Hike
Kinchina Conservation Park
When: Saturday 27 August, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Share in Aboriginal culture with Ngarrindjeri woman Rita Lindsay and her dance group ‘Rritjarukar — Willy Wagtails’ as they Welcome you to Ngarrindjeri Country. You’ll also get the opportunity to join them as they teach you some of their songs and dances.
This will be followed by a Ranger Guided Hike in Kinchina Conservation Park.
Where: Kinchina Conservation Park, Maurice Road Entrance, Monarto
Cost: FREE
View more information and book
Family Nature Walk with Nature Play SA
Kinchina Conservation Park
When: Sunday 28 August, 10:30 – 11:30am
Join Nature Play SA for a nature walk through Kinchina Conservation Park to celebrate Park of the Month. The walk will be interactive, fun, and full of fascinating stories of the plants and animals that call the park home.
Where: Kinchina Conservation Park, Maurice Road Entrance, Monarto
Cost: FREE
View more information and book
Ranger Guided Walk – Nanam Well Hike
When: Sunday 28 August, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Join our Rangers for a short guided walk through the mallee environment. Along the journey our rangers will share insights on the area’s flora, fauna and history which includes viewing a restored well, timber lined as it would have been 150 years ago. Recent rains have brought the wild Orchids to life which can be viewed along the way.
Where: Pine Hut Soak Campground, Ngarkat Conservation Park
Cost: FREE, Vehicle Entry Fee required for entry into Ngarkat Conservation Park
View more information and book
Juggle House – Dark Sky Gold Tour
When: August to November
Discover an enchanting journey in the heart of Australia’s very first International Dark Sky Reserve. Meet the stars of the region – Astronomy guides touring you through the night sky and Aboriginal custodians welcoming you to their ancient rock shelter.
Our Sunset Dinner Tour introduces you to one of the darkest places on earth with virtually no light pollution. Recordings of the Reserve measure at 21.9 on a scale of 0 to 22. About 300 stars can typically be seen in Southern Hemisphere urban areas, where an estimated 5000 can be seen here, including a better view of the centre of the galaxy (the Milky Way)!
Your tour meanders along the roadside path parallel to the Murray River. A popular nesting ground for cockatoos and plentiful wildlife, this farming district has its own story to tell. Cross the river on the ferry to marvel at impressive ancient cliffs and the sights from lookouts.
Where:Arnold Park by the River Ferry Crossing, 4 Randell Street Mannum
Cost: 15% discount when you use promo code ‘PARKS-SA’ for departures from August to November
What’s coming for Park of the Month
Events and activities for each month are not released until close to the month. To keep up-to-date, subscribe to our mailing list, follow us on Facebook or check back here.
- September – Parks of Lower Eyre Peninsula
- October – Parks of the Flinders Ranges
- November – Adelaide’s sanctuaries
- December – Parks of Western Kangaroo Island
Host an event
We encourage community groups, schools, local business and tour operators to host engaging, fun and family-friendly events in parks as part of Park of the Month. Find out how you can host an event.