Conservation parks and reservoirs
The Barossa Council boasts an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and explore the natural environment, including five conservation parks and beautiful reservoir reserves. All parks have dedicated walking tracks with varying degrees of difficulty and lengths, and in some parks you can bring your dogs along for the adventure!
Our conservation parks are being showcased by National Parks and Wildlife Service SA for the month of August with special activities to attend!
Conservation Parks
Five conservation parks are available in the Barossa to explore its natural environment.
Hale Conservation Park
Hale Conservation Park is made up of diverse landscape and steep rocky ridges, making it home to some unique fauna and flora, including the Oyster Bay Cypress Pine.
Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park
Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park contains two walking trails, passing through beautiful creeks, rocky outcrops, low forest, and open grassland, and providing panoramic views across the Barossa Valley.
Para Wirra Conservation Park
Para Wirra Conservation Park is perfect for walking, picnics and observing native wildlife. You can also discover the ruins and history of a once thriving mining operation at the Barossa Goldfields.
Sandy Creek Conservation Park
Enjoy several walking trails through the native pine and pink gum at Sandy Creek Conservation Park . Established on undulating sand dunes with occasional creeks, you can find farmland, vineyards and deep sand mining pits surrounding the park.
Warren Conservation Park
Warren Conservation Park supports a range of wildlife and a rich diversity of plants. Their are four walking trails, including the long distance Heysen Trail. Due to the steep nature of the tracks and dificulties, they should be used by experience bushwalkers only.
Pristine conservation and recreation parks near Sandy Creek and Cockatoo Valley provide excellent bushwalking and sightseeing opportunities as well – don’t forget the camera!
Reservoirs
There are three beautiful reservoirs hidden in the Barossa Valley region, spreading far and wide.
Barossa Reservoir Reserve
The Barossa Reservoir Reserve is a popular tourist destination and home to the Whispering Wall, just south of the Barossa Valley.
South Para Reservoir
Challenging walking trails provide spectacular views of the South Para Valley and South Para Reservoir.
Warren Reservoir Reserve
Close by to Warren Conservation Park is Warren Reservoir Reserve where you can explore by foot, mountain bike, and by kayak, or just enjoy a relaxing picnic with family and friends.
The Old Bridge car park is currently in the process of development, which will include more car parking, trailer parking, a bus/coach park, and a disability park. It will also include a new set of toilets for your convenience, additional picnic infrastructure, and a new DDA-compliant kayak launch facility with a jetty, gangway, and a floating pontoon.
For more information about conservation parks refer to National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia.
In addition, the Altona CSR Landcare Reserve is 70Ha of remnant vegetation with walking tracks and many viewpoints to admire the scenery - it's a must-see for nature lovers!