Para Wirra Conservation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for May 2019.
With its extensive grassy areas, relaxing lakeside, and beautiful bush setting, Para Wirra Conservation Park is a well-loved gathering place for family and friends.
The park was upgraded last year, with upgraded trails, a nature play area, upgraded picnic areas and a new camping area.
On-leash dogs are welcome in the park.
Below we’ve outlined the hikes and trails in the park.
13 great hikes in Para Wirra Conservation Park
1.
Gawler View Nature Loop
Easy walk, 1km, 30 mins
Explore the Nature Play Forest shared-use paths through the Gawler View picnic area and playground. Keep your eyes peeled for bush birds, scurrying lizards and maybe even an emu or kangaroo. Suitable for prams. Some limited mobility access may be possible if assisted.
2.
Lake Discovery Walk
Easy walk, 1km, 30 mins
This popular short trail is great for families where you can soak up the tranquil setting of Para Wirra’s lake. Great for walking with small kids as they ride their bikes.
The trail is suitable for prams and wheelchairs: National Parks and Wildlife Service SA recommends starting from the East Lake carpark and follow the trail in a clockwise direction. The trail loops around the lake on a hard packed gravel trail with a few slight rises that may require some assistance.
3.
Victoria Hill Circuit Hike
Moderate hike, 1.5km anticlockwise loop, 45 mins
A walking loop exploring the former mine workings of Victoria Hill. Interpretive signs provide information about mine shafts, mine workings & the former town that was once here.
4.
Phoenix Circuit Hike
Moderate hike, 5km anticlockwise loop, 2.5 hours
A walking loop exploring the former mine workings. Interpretive signs, mine shafts, mine workings and tramway tunnels.
5.
Lady Pearce Circuit Hike
Moderate hike, 5km anticlockwise loop, 4 hours
This circuit hike explores the former mine workings of Victoria Hill, a scene of much activity in the late 1860s, and descends into the South Para River. The lower sections of the trail, in the south near the South Para River, are particularly rewarding.
6.
Scenic Loop
Moderate hike
3.2km / 1h 30m loop, or
4.5km / 2hr return
Whether you walk or ride to The Knob you’ll find yourself immersed in valleys of bushland surrounded by high hills, miles away from city life. Follow the shared use Knob Lookout Track down to the small rounded hill of the Knob. Return along the same track or Scenic Drive. Alternatively, return along a section of the South Para Grand and Lizard Rock hikes.
7.
Lizard Rock Hike
Moderate hike, 1.6km, 45 mins
Experience an easy walk to the Lizard Rocks, a collection of large boulders that provide views into the valley of Wild Dog Creek.
8.
Hissey Hike
Moderate hike, 2.4km anticlockwise loop, 1 hour loop
Walk around the main Lake and along the shaded Wild Dog Creek.
9.
Tree Creeper Loop
Moderate hike, 5km, 2 hours
An easy walk that meanders through the open scrub of the park. The walk is generally flat and along fire track.
Although the trail is quite flat, it is a shared-use trail with mountain bikers. As such it is also suitable for prams.
10.
Horseplay Trail
Moderate hike, 11km, 4 hours
Enjoy a 11km hike along shared-use fire tracks around and through the Mack Creek section of the park that is available for hikers and horse riders. It may be more desirable for walkers to begin on the Mack Creek Hike from the Mack Creek Hike Carpark, and when reaching the Ruins Track (a fire track) follow the Horseplay Trail.
11.
Devils Nose Hike
Hard hike, 4.4km return, 2 hours
Enjoy this hike out along a long ridge to Devils Nose Lookout, with views along the ridge and lookout.
During May as part of the Park of the Month celebration check out a new ceramic art installation called ‘Clay Impermanence’ by Ang Walford Ceramics. The installation is at Devils Nose.
12.
Mack Creek Hike
Hard hike, 7.5km, 4 hours
Follow the walking trail downstream along Mack Creek through a valley of magnificent river red gums. Look out for the beautiful orchids flowering in late winter and spring.
Some of the trail is shared with horse riders.
13.
South Para Grand Hike
Hard hike, 10km clockwise loop, 4.5 hours
Descend into Wild Dog Creek at the northern end of this hike, and glimpse views of Devils Nose from below as you gradually countour around on the ascent to the lookout. The Hissey Trail walks around the main Lake.