Newland Head Conservation Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Newland Head Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Waitpinga Beach in the morning
Newland Head Conservation Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Victor Harbor
Established	1985
Area	11.74 km2 (4.5 sq mi)
Visitation	100,000 (in 2004)
Managing authorities	Department for Environment and Water
Website	Newland Head Conservation Park
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

Newland Head Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It is located on the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula. The park is about 91 kilometers south of Adelaide. It is also just 7 kilometers southwest of Victor Harbor. The park gets its name from Newland Head, a big feature on its eastern side. This park is a "Category III protected area" by the IUCN. This means it protects a natural monument or feature, like a cool landmark.

What to See and Do

The park has two long beaches called Waitpinga and Parsons. These beaches are great for surfing and fishing. However, they are not safe for swimming. This is because of strong rips and hidden gutters in the water. The park also has many walking trails. Part of the famous Heysen Trail goes through the park.

Camping at Waitpinga

The Waitpinga campground is the only place to camp in the park. It is located 750 meters away from Waitpinga Beach. Large sand dunes protect it from the sea breeze. The name Waitpinga means "Windy Place" in the local Aboriginal language.

Campground Features

The campground has private sites surrounded by native plants. You can see pink gums and wattle trees here. There are toilets and picnic areas available. A shared barbecue area with gas barbecues is also provided. You can use gas or fuel stoves for cooking. However, wood fires are not allowed at any time. Remember, camping fees apply to stay here.

Getting to the Beach

A walking trail goes over the sand dunes from the campground. This path offers amazing views of the Southern Ocean coastline. It connects the campground directly to the beach. Other walking trails also start from the eastern end of the campground.

Explore the Walking Trails

Several exciting walking trails begin near the Waitpinga campground. Here is some information about them:

Ridgeway Hill Loop Hike

This trail is mostly flat. It goes through open mallee bushland. Then it passes through dense flowering plants. You can see many different birds here, especially in spring. The full walk is 6.25 kilometers long.

Coastal Cliffs Loop Hike

This flat trail leads to the cliffs of Newland Head. From here, you can see amazing views of the cliffs. You can also look out over the Southern Ocean and Kangaroo Island. This hike is 7.5 kilometers long.

Campground to Beach Hike

This short trail connects the campground to Waitpinga Beach. It is only 750 meters long.

Heysen Trail Section

A part of the longer Heysen Trail runs through the park. This section is 12.25 kilometers long within the park boundaries.

Lookout Point

There is a lookout point on top of a large water tank. It is about 500 meters along the walking trail, east of the campground.