Cromer Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cromer Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Cromer Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Birdwood
Established	22 January 1976 (1976-01-22)
Area	44 hectares (110 acres)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

Cromer Conservation Park is a special nature reserve in South Australia. It's located in the Adelaide Hills, about 38 kilometers (24 miles) north-east of Adelaide. This park is a protected area, meaning its natural environment is kept safe for plants and animals. It's also quite close to the town of Birdwood.

Protecting Nature at Cromer Park

Cromer Conservation Park was officially created on January 22, 1976. It was set up under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This law helps protect important natural places in South Australia. The park covers an area of about 44 hectares (109 acres). That's roughly the size of 80 football fields!

Why Cromer Park is Special

Cromer Conservation Park is a very important place. It's one of the few areas in the Mount Lofty Ranges that hasn't been changed much by people. For example, it has never been used for grazing farm animals. This means it has a rare and natural mix of plants and birds.

Even though it's a small park, it has many different types of plants and animals. It's like a mini-forest with lots of variety!

Trees and Plants You Might See

The park is home to several types of eucalyptus trees. These include Yellow Gum and Pink Gum. You can also find Messmate Stringybark, Long-leaved Box, and River Red Gum.

Underneath these tall trees, there's a thick layer of shrubs. These include plants like Acacia (wattles), Hakea, Banksia, and Xanthorrhoea (grass trees).

Amazing Birdlife

If you visit Cromer Conservation Park, you might spot many different birds. Around 70 different kinds of birds have been seen in the park. This shows how healthy and diverse the environment is for wildlife.

Home to a Rare Orchid

In 2016, scientists found something very special in the park: the blue star sun-orchid (Thelymitra hygrophila). This beautiful orchid is extremely rare. In fact, it's listed as Critically Endangered under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This means it's at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Cromer Conservation Park is one of only three places in South Australia where this orchid has been found.

Protecting Our Natural Heritage

Cromer Conservation Park is recognized internationally as an IUCN Category III protected area. This category means it's important for protecting natural features. It was also once listed on the Register of the National Estate, which highlighted its importance to Australia's natural heritage. The park's small size means it needs careful protection from anything that might disturb it from outside.