Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Kybybolite
Established	15 January 1976 (1976-01-15)
Area	13 hectares (32 acres)
Visitation	not stated (refer below) (in 1992)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's a place where nature is kept safe. You can find it in the south-east part of the state. It's near the border with Victoria, about 25 kilometers north-east of a town called Naracoorte.

About Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park

This park is a protected area. This means the land and its plants and animals are looked after. It helps keep nature healthy for the future. The park covers about 13 hectares. That's about the size of 26 football fields!

Where is it Located?

Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park is in a place called Kybybolite. This is in the south-east of South Australia. It sits right on the edge of the state, next to Victoria. A big part of the swamp itself is actually in Victoria. That part is called the Mullinger Swamp Wildlife Reserve.

How it Became a Park

The park was officially created on January 15, 1976. This happened under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Before it became a park, this land was "Crown Land." This means it was owned by the government. It might have been used for animals to graze (eat grass).

What's the Land Like?

The land in the park has interesting soils. The swamp itself has soil that is deep and grey. It can crack when it dries out. The land around the swamp is different. It has hard, yellowish soil.

Tall river red gum trees grow here. They form an "open forest." This means the trees are spread out. The ground underneath has grasses like wallaby grass. There are also some plants that were brought in from other places.

What Can You Do There?

Back in 1992, people from nearby towns used to visit the park. They would go for picnics and even fishing or swimming. People who love nature, like "field naturalists" and "birdwatchers," also visited.

However, fewer people swim there now. This is because a new swimming lake was built in Naracoorte.

Why is it Protected?

Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park is very important. It is listed as an IUCN Category IV protected area. This category means it's a place managed mainly for its habitat and species. It helps protect the plants and animals that live there.

In 1980, the park was also listed on something called the "Register of the National Estate." This list used to keep track of important natural and cultural places in Australia. That list doesn't exist anymore, but it shows how special the park was considered.