About the Walking Trail

Take a walk along the boardwalk trail through Penola Conservation Park to discover its wetland environment, woodlands and open heaths.

The park’s swamps (when full) provide a breeding area for numerous waterbirds such as herons, ibis and swamphens which make the park an interesting site for birdwatching. It is also a haven for orchids in spring. Along the walking trail you may also see flocks of yellow-tailed black-cockatoos or encounter a short-beaked echidna, red-necked wallaby or a western grey kangaroo.

The park is just 12 kilometres away from central Penola and entry to the park is free. Enter the carpark from Clay Wells Rd, Monbulla (the road to Robe.) There is a picnic table at the trailhead and carpark.

During winter and spring some parts of the walk may be inundated with water. This is a natural feature of the South-East. Sand dunes which lie parallel to the coast impede drainage.

The signboards along the walking trail explain the features of the trails and one of the most popular trails is an easy walk of 2.5 kilometres and takes one hour to complete.

Native vegetation is widespread throughout the park and the wetlands and flats support the red river gums. Various water ribbons and marsh flowers can also be found in the swamps. The park hosts masses of orchids and these can be seen while walking the trails. Various endangered bird species can also be found in the park and water birds such as ibis, herons and swamp hens are attracted by the swamplands. Kangaroos, wallabies and echidnas can often be seen and bats and sugar gliders are most active at night.

The park is open all year round and you will get different experiences in different seasons. Windflowers and honeyeaters can be seen feeding amongst blossoms in the spring. You will also find echidnas searching for ants under the shrubs. Autumn is the season to see various small seasonal plants and parrots. Much of the park is underwater during the winter months, thus making this a good season to see frogs and water birds.