Deep Creek Conservation Park

Deep Creek Conservation Park, formerly the Deep Creek National Park, is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located on the southern coast of Fleurieu Peninsula in the gazetted localities of Deep Creek and Delamere about 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) east of Cape Jervis.[2][3]

This article is about the protected area in South Australia. For the associated locality, see Deep Creek, South Australia.

Deep Creek Conservation Park Deep Creek & Delamere, South Australia
IUCN category II (national park)[1]
Deep Creek Conservation Park
Nearest town or city	Cape Jervis[2]
Coordinates	35°37′40″S 138°13′19″E
Established	30 September 1971[3]
Area	44.96 km^2 (17.4 sq mi)[4]
Visitation	"25,000-30,000"[lower-alpha 1] (in 1997)[5]^:20
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
Website	Deep Creek Conservation Park
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The conservation park encompasses 18 kilometres (11 miles) of coastline, which include views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island. The conservation park consists of mainly rolling coastal hills, the gullies of which 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 conservation park.

It is classified as an IUCN class II protected area.[1] In 1980, it was listed on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate.[6]

Notable walks

There are many walks in the conservation park, ranging from easy walks, through to moderate and hard hikes. Overnight treks are also possible by linking walks.[7]

Easy Walks

• Stringybark Loop Walk: An easy 20-minute nature trail through 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: A walk that 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 conservation 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, and stunning views.

The Heysen Trail

• The Heysen Trail enters the conservation park near Blowhole Beach, not far from its starting point at Cape Jervis. It traverses the conservation park via Eagle Waterhole, Trig Campground, and 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 conservation 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 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 have been erected at this site.

Gallery

• 
  Approaching the cove at the mouth of Deep Creek.
• 
  Looking south.
• 
  The creek mouth.
• 
  Blowhole Beach.
• 
  Blowhole Beach looking North East.

See also

• Deep Creek (disambiguation)

References

Notes

1. Visitor numbers shared with Talisker Conservation Park

Citations

1. "Terrestrial Protected Areas of South Australia (refer 'DETAIL' tab )". CAPAD 2016. Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE). 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
2. "Search result for "Deep Creek Conservation Park" (Record no SA0019531) with the following layers selected - "Suburbs and Localities" and " Place names (gazetteer)"". Property Location Browser. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
3. Shard, A.J. (30 September 1971). "NATIONAL PARKS ACT, 1966: DECLARATION OF NATIONAL PARK" (PDF). The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. p. 1226. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
4. "Protected Areas Information System - reserve list (as of 17 Feb 2014)" (PDF). Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources. p. 5. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
5. Deep Creek and Talisker Conservation Parks management plan, Fleurieu, South Australia (PDF), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (South Australia), 1997, p. 20, ISBN 978-0-7308-5830-0, retrieved 25 September 2019
6. "Deep Creek Conservation Park, Blowhole Creek Rd, Cape Jervis (sic), SA, Australia - listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate (Place ID 7782)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment. 21 October 1980.
7. "Bushwalking in Deep Creek Conservation Park". Department for Environment and Heritage. June 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-25.

External links

• Webpage on the Protected Planet website
• Webpage on the BirdsSA website