Deep Creek Conservation Park is a reserve that offers a variety of experiences, visitors can camp in spectacular bushland with kangaroos and other native wildlife or hike one of numerous trails that take in stunning coastal views of Kangaroo Island - all just a 90 minute-drive from Adelaide.

Where is it?: Fleurieu Peninsula, 11 kilometres east of Cape Jervis.




Deep Creek Conservation Park is a protected area consisting of about 45 square kilometres of natural Australian bush land located on the southern coast of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, 11 kilometres east of Cape Jervis. The total of 18 kilometres of coastline include views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island. The gullies contain orchids and ferns, while the hilltops have stunted scrub and low windswept trees. Walking trails (including part of the famous Heysen Trail) provide access to most of the park. The park is classified as an IUCN class II protected area.

The park is the largest remaining block of wildlife habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is home to an array of native wildlife. Look out for western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas or some of the 100 bird species that can easily be heard or spotted when walking in the park. The walking trails also provide spectacular scenery of the Backstairs Passage, Kangaroo Island and the rugged Deep Creek valley.

After a day of exploring, you can extend your stay under the stars at one of the five campgrounds or relax in one of the private cottages or retreat accommodation options located in the park.

While you're in the area, explore nearby Talisker Conservation Park and discover the heritage-listed ruins of a silver and lead mine from the 1860s, or visit Encounter Marine Park which offers some of Australia���s best-preserved ocean wilderness.

Deep Creek Conservation Park Website >>




There are many different walks in Deep Creek Conservation Park, ranging from easy walks, through moderate hikes and hard hikes. Overnight treks are also possible by linking walks.



Easy walks

Stringybark Loop Walk
An easy 20 minute nature trail the stringybark and yacca-bush forest. Information boards are located at intervals along the way.

Forest Circuit Walk
An easy walk through the forest near Stringybark Campground.

Spring Wildflower Walk
Follows fire trails from Stringybark Campground.






Moderate Hikes

Deep Creek Waterfall from Tent Rock Road
Descends steeply to the Deep Creek Waterfall. The walk is not long and the track is well maintained with steps in steeper sections. The return walk is mostly uphill.

Deep Creek Cove from Trig Camping Area
Descends moderately to Deep Creek Cove. The return walk is a long moderate ascent.

Aaron Creek Circuit Hike
A circuit hike that crosses the open areas at the higher sections of the park before descending toward Eagle Waterhole Campground. Plenty of Western Grey Kangaroos can be seen on this hike.

Hard Hikes

Deep Creek Cove from Tapanappa Lookout
A spectacular and challenging hike that involves some steep hills and scrambling in some places. Hiking boots are required as there are steep and slippery sections in close proximity to cliff edges.

Blowhole Beach Hike
Descends to Blowhole Beach from Cobbler Hill. Can be incredibly windy. The track is not especially rough but the ascent on the return hike is long and steep.

Deep Creek Waterfall from Tapanappa Lookout
Another spectacular and challenging hike that has some long and steep undulations. This walk goes right into the dense Deep Creek vegetation and is not a leisurely stroll.

Aaron Creek Hike
Follows the creek to the coast, many creek crossings involved, stunning views.

The Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail enters the park near Blowhole Beach, not far from its starting point at Cape Jervis. It traverses the park via Eagle Waterhole, Trig Campground, Deep Creek Waterfall and exits at Boat Harbour beach before continuing to Tunkalilla beach. It is well marked with the red and white Heysen Trail track markers.

Camping

The park has five camping areas available with various facilities.

Stringybark
A sheltered forest setting with 16 sites, hot showers, toilets and rain water. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.

Trig
Central to the main hiking trails, open grassy areas with many well-sheltered and shady sites. 25 sites, toilets and rain water available. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.

Tapanappa
18 moderately sheltered sites with spectacular coastal views close by. Toilets and rain water available.

Cobbler Hill
10 sites with toilets and rain water close to Blowhole Creek Beach. Can be exposed during windy conditions.

Eagle Waterhole
Located on the Heysen Trail, and only able to be used by hikers. A hikers hut and rainwater tank has been erected at this site.

Talisker Conservation Park

Talisker Conservation Park

Talisker became a conservation park in 1976 after a period of 104 years of intermittent mining activity in the area. The park owes its name to the two McLeod brothers who discovered an outcrop of silver-lead ore while searching for gold in 1862. The Talisker Mining company was formed the same year to extract the ore from the lode the McLeods named the 'Talisker of Scotland' after a locality in their homeland, the 'Isle of Skye'.

Talisker Conservation Park is located on the south-western area of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. It is close to the town of Cape Jervis and adjacent to Deep Creek Conservation Park. The park covers 211 ha (520 acres) including areas of thick scrub, some steep walking tracks and the heritage-listed remains of a nineteenth century silver and lead mine.