Finniss Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Finniss Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Finniss in Easter 2007
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 Finniss Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Ashbourne |
| Established | 29 January 1976 |
| Area | 1.23 km2 (0.5 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Finniss Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges, about 43 kilometers (27 miles) south of Adelaide. The park is also about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) west of a town called Ashbourne. You can find it within the area known as Mount Magnificent.
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About Finniss Conservation Park
Finniss Conservation Park was officially created on January 29, 1976. It was set up under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Over the years, more land was added to the park. In 1985, two more sections of land became part of the park. Then, in 2005, another piece of land was included. As of 2018, the park covers an area of 1.23 square kilometers (0.47 square miles).
What is a Conservation Park?
A conservation park is a type of protected area in Australia. It's a place where nature is kept safe. This means the plants, animals, and natural features are protected from harm. These parks help to preserve important parts of the environment for everyone to enjoy.
Exploring the Park
The Heysen Trail is a very long walking path in South Australia. A part of this trail runs along the western side of Finniss Conservation Park. It goes from Ridge Road in the south to Mount Magnificent Road in the north. This makes it a great spot for hikers to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Landscape and Views
The park has a varied landscape. You can find high rocky areas and ridges with steep valleys in between. A small part of the Finniss River also flows through the park. From some spots, you can even get good views of the coast!
Plant Life in the Park
Finniss Conservation Park is home to many different types of plants. It protects a natural part of the open forest and scrubland found in the region. One of the most important plant areas is a dense scrub of Eucalyptus cosmophylla. This is one of the best-preserved areas of this type of plant in the South Mount Lofty Ranges.
The park also has other interesting plants. In the western part, you can find Eucalyptus leucoxylon and Eucalyptus fasciculosa trees. The eastern part, especially on the plateau, has a very thick scrub. Here, you might see plants like Hakea prostrata, Allocasuarina muelleriana, Leptospermum juniperinum, and Tetratheca pilosa.
Most of the Eucalyptus cosmophylla scrub in the park is still in its natural state. This means it hasn't been disturbed much by people.
Protecting the Park
Finniss Conservation Park is recognized internationally for its importance. It is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This category means it is a natural monument or feature that is protected. In 1980, the park was also listed on the Register of the National Estate, which was a list of important heritage places in Australia.
