Deep Creek Conservation Park

A bit about Deep Creek…

This park is a perfect destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. Five campgrounds are dotted throughout the park with four of them accessible by 2WD vehicles.  The other campground is ‘hike-in’ only and situated on the Heysen trail, making it an ideal environment for a family adventure.
Deep Creek Conservation Park is the largest portion of remaining natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is home to an array of native wildlife such as western grey kangaroos, short beaked echidnas and 100 species of birds that can be heard and seen while walking in the park.  Whales can be seen cruising the coast during their annual migration which takes place from June to October.

Where is Deep Creek National Park?
The park is located 108km south of Adelaide. Access is via Main South Road from Adelaide or Range Road from Victor Harbor.
All roads within the park are unsealed.

When is the best time to visit?
Late autumn and early spring are the best times to experience the park, go camping and observe the array of wildlife and native flora in full bloom. Temperatures during this time of year make it comfortable to hike the network of walking trails within the park.  
Winter and early spring provide opportunities for whale watching.  Each year whales migrate to the comparatively warmer South Australian coast from Antarctic waters to mate and calve.
Summers are dry and hot with temperatures ranging between 30 to 35 degrees making it more challenging for walking. A responsible approach to bushwalking is a must during summer months and in winter months when track conditions can be slippery.

What can I do at Deep Creek National Park ?

Bushwalking – From easy , medium and hard there are a great variety of hikes to get yourself reacquainted with nature (15 in fact). The stringbay loop walk is 30 minutes and is great for families walking through forest or if the kids need more energy burned try the Forest Circuit Walk for one hour which is a lovely morning or late afternoon walk. In autumn you may see fog settle among the trees. In late winter and early spring you will see a profusion of wildflowers.

Try out the brand new pram friendly Goondooloo ridge walk! This is a 4km return walk that will take you around two hours to complete easy for little legs and prams, lots of kangaroos and wildlife to spot along the way. At the end of the track you’ll find picnic tables looking over the picturesque backstairs passage…..hello over there kangaroo island! There’s brand new drop toilets located at the start of the track along with parking and picnic tables.

• 

• 

Camping – All campgrounds are accessible by 2WD (except Eagle Waterhole which is hike-in only). Stringybark, Trig and Cobbler Hill campgrounds can also accommodate caravans. Camping in Deep Creek is only permitted in designated sites in campgrounds. Fees apply and you must book in advance.

Stringybark campground

Suitable for: tents, caravans, camper vans and camper trailers
Facilities available: toilets, hot showers, picnic tables and seasonal camp fires* (in fire pits only)
Nestled amongst tall stringybark trees, this campground has 16 camp sites which offer plenty of shade and protection from the wind.

Trig campground

Suitable for: tents, caravans, camper vans and camper trailers
Facilities available: toilets, picnic shelter and seasonal camp fires* (in fire pits only)
Large flat campground with 25 camp sites offering plenty of open space.

Tapanappa campground

Suitable for: tents
Facilities available: toilets and seasonal camp fires* (in fire pits only)
The campground has 17 camp sites is within a short walk of the coastline and there are a number of walking trails nearby. There is some shelter provided for tents by the low coast vegetation.

Cobbler Hill campground

Suitable for: tents, caravans, camper vans and camper trailers
Facilities available: toilets and seasonal camp fires* (in fire pits only)
Located near Blowhole Beach, this campground has six camp sites available. Some of the sites offer shade and wind protection

Eagle Waterhole hike-in campground

Suitable for: tents (hike-in only)
Facilities available: hut shelter

This campsite cannot be accessed by vehicle. Camping is available for a maximum of 16 hikers. Wood fires are prohibited at all times.

Discover – Seeing kangaroos feed at dusk at Tapanappa Ridge or along the Aaron Creek hiking trail

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKxqcyEgiFy/

Try – Fishing at Blowhole Beach

Enjoy – Lunching at Stringybark Walk or Aaron Creek picnic area or watching for whales as they migrate east during the winter months.

Explore- On a clear night find somewhere around your campsite to watch the night sky, spot the Milky Way and Southern Cross – stargazing smartphone apps are available to help.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMFlzv6Dz30/

Things to leave at home ….

Furry Friends are NOT permitted in the park, Mountain bikes are NOT permitted on walking tracks and trails within within Deep Creek Conservation Park. However, bikes are permitted on vehicle roads and public roads within the park.

Did you know….
In the evening, just before sunset, find a spot around your campground to sit and watch the sky for bats as they become active. You may also get a glimpse of the yellow-footed antechinus or the elusive southern brown bandicoot
From Cobbler Hill, Tapanappa, or Trig Campground, or as a daylong endeavor, find a part of the Heysen Trail to walk in the early morning and spot the resident birds, such as the superb fairy-wrens and white-browed scrub-wrens.

Following the end of total fire ban in late autumn, book a site such as Tapanappa Campground and toast marshmallows over a campfire.

For more info including how to book a campsite visit
www.parks.sa.gov.au/