Sturt River Linear Park

The Sturt River Linear Park passes through Warriparinga Wetlands.

The Sturt River Linear Park follows the river, which has been contained in a series of concrete channels. The path is suitable for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles

The Sturt River Linear Park through Warriparinga Wetlands

The Sturt River Linear Park follows the concrete drain

In 2017 the Sturt River Linear Park has been upgraded, with lots of new picnic areas

The Warriparinga Wetlands

One of the lake areas in Oaklands Wetland and Reserve. The lake is surrounded by a couple of viewing platforms

One of the lake areas in the Oaklands Wetland and Reserve

One of the lake areas in Oaklands Wetland and Reserve

Oaklands Wetlands

The Sturt River Linear Park is suitable for walking, roller skating, cycling, dogs, wheelchairs and prams

One of the interpretive signs along the Sturt River Linear Park. It reads: In 1971 the Sturt River was tamed with the completion of the South Western Drainage Scheme, where the river was converted to a series of concrete drains and a dam. Prior to that the river's winter flood waters were difficult to predict. Before the drain was built, the stream flowed for 10 months of the year. Except for flood time, it was a beautiful place where children could play, climb trees, catch tadpoles, frogs and yabbies, and pick flowers like jonquils, which grew on the banks. "The river bed was cemented and the character and environs changed forever. Gone are most of the ancient river gums which had witnessed the early Aboriginal settlements, the coming of the white man, the tilling and watering of the alluvial plains, the magnificient product of the disctrict... Gone is the dram, the beauty and the wildlife." - extract from the book Yesterday's Child by Margaret Western, 2008. Why the drain was built can be seen in this extract: "It used to flood quite regularly, but nobody cared much because it was all market gardens and orchards and almonds around here. Once they started building houses people started yelling we want this fixed up. Lives were lost. Roads were cut; people were cut off. Engineers wanted to find a solution to this flooding, and that's what they did. The Sturt River never flooded again after that." - extract from an oral history interview in 2011 with Arthur Beales, local resident and Design Engineer for the South Western Drainage Scheme.

One of the interpretive signs in Warriparinga Wetlands. Warriparinga is an important sacred place for the Kaurna people. The spirit of Tjilbruke lives here. The spirit of the wind lives here. The spirit of the river makes us alive. Warriparinga is a law ground and burial area. The Kaura people has always used the area for ceremonies.

Artwork on the Finniss Street Bridge. The bridge is the third bridge on the site, the first being built in 1838 as part of the village of Marion, laid aout by Colonel Light.

Some sections of the Sturt River Linear Park are narrow, but form links between local parks and reserves

One of the interpretive signs along Sturt River Linear Park, this one detailing the market gardens that used to dominate the area

Walking on the pleasant Sturt River Linear Park

In 1971 the Sturt River was tamed with the completion of the South Western Drainage Scheme, where the river was converted to a series of concrete drains and a dam

In 2016/17 the Sturt River Linear Park has been upgraded, with lots of new picnic areas and playgrounds

This sign tells the story of Oaklands Estate founder, Samuel Kearne, who is 1844 arrived in South Australia expecting to sail his boat up the Sturt River to his new estate