Para Wirra Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Para Wirra Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Recreation park's lake and island
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 Para Wirra Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Williamstown |
| Established | 21 June 1962 |
| Area | 15.12 km2 (5.8 sq mi) |
| Visitation | 60,000 (in 1993) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| Website | Para Wirra Conservation Park |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Para Wirra Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It covers about 1,417 hectares (3,500 acres) and is located in the beautiful Mount Lofty Ranges, not too far from Adelaide. This park is part of a much bigger area of natural bushland, which is important for plants and animals. It used to be called Para Wirra Recreation Park and before that, Para Wirra National Park.
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About Para Wirra Conservation Park
Para Wirra Conservation Park is found near towns like Williamstown and Gawler. It's about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Adelaide.
Weather in the Park
The park has a Mediterranean climate. This means it gets most of its rain from April to October. Winds from the southwest also affect the weather.
Park Landscape
The park's land goes from about 137 meters (450 feet) to over 328 meters (1,076 feet) above sea level. It has hills with wide tops and slopes carved out by water. The northern part has steep valleys and narrow ridges because of the South Para River. The middle part is a flat area, and the southern part is shaped by Mack Creek.
Why the Park is Important
Para Wirra Conservation Park is very important for several reasons. It's a great place to learn about nature and is valuable for protecting wildlife. It's also a fun spot for recreation.
The park is part of a huge 2,573-hectare (6,358-acre) area of native plants. Only 26% of the Mount Lofty Ranges still has its original bushland. So, a large area like this is vital for keeping different types of plants and animals safe. It also helps keep water clean and offers a valuable place for people to enjoy nature.
History of the Park
The land that is now Para Wirra Conservation Park first became a protected area on June 21, 1962. It was named Para Wirra National Park, taking its name from the local area. The park officially opened on September 24, 1963.
Later, on April 27, 1972, it became a recreation park. This change showed that the park was used for many different fun activities. Then, on November 2, 2015, the Environment Minister announced it would become a Conservation Park again. This was to better protect its natural beauty and history. On May 19, 2016, it officially became the Para Wirra Conservation Park.
Park's Name and Early History
The name "Para Wirra" comes from what are believed to be two local Aboriginal words. "Para" means "river" and "Wirra" means "forest". There are several important Aboriginal sites within the park. Before Europeans arrived, the Peramangk tribe was thought to live in this area.
Plants and Animals of Para Wirra
Para Wirra Conservation Park is crucial for protecting native wildlife. Many animals here have been affected by farming and mining in the past.
Park Plants (Flora)
The park is mostly covered in eucalyptus trees. But it also has many other types of plants, including:
- Woodland areas
- Open woodland with low trees
- Low open forests
- Dense scrub areas
- Eucalyptus open scrub
- Melaleuca uncinata open scrub
- Melaleuca uncinata closed heath
Park Animals (Fauna)
Mammals
The park is home to many western grey kangaroos. Sometimes, you might even spot euros. Other native animals that live here, but are harder to see, include the small, night-active yellow-footed antechinus, the short-beaked echidna (which eats ants and termites), the common ringtail possum, and the brushtail possum.
Birds
Over 120 different kinds of birds have been seen in the park. This includes the emu, which was brought to the park in 1967. Near the water, you can find birds like the grey teal, Australasian grebe, and cormorants. The South Para River and nearby woodlands are home to white-faced herons, black ducks, white-browed babblers, black-chinned honeyeaters, and eastern spinebills.
Many other birds live throughout the park, such as the common bronze wing, scarlet robin, black-faced cuckooshrike, restless flycatcher, grey currawong, little raven, and the New Holland honeyeater. In the woodland areas, you might see white-throated treecreepers, brown treecreepers, and white-winged choughs. Laughing kookaburras, red-rumped parrots, and peaceful doves prefer the grassy and woodland spots. In areas with thick ground cover, superb fairywrens search for food. In open areas, you can see jacky winters and yellow-rumped thornbills flying around.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Para Wirra Conservation Park has 38 recorded types of reptiles and amphibians. These include the long-necked tortoise, marbled gecko, tree dtella, bearded dragon, the shingle back, common grass skink, and eastern blue tongue lizard.
Only five species are amphibians: the brown tree frog, bull frog, spotted grass frog, Bibron's toadlet, and brown froglet. Snakes like the yellow faced whip snake, brown snake, and red-bellied black snake have also been seen in the park.
Fun Things to Do in the Park
Walking Trails
Walking is a great way to explore Para Wirra Conservation Park. There are many trails to choose from, with different difficulty levels and times. You can enjoy amazing walks around the lakes, through old goldfields, valleys, open woodlands, and along rivers. You can get more information about the trails from pamphlets at the park office.
Park Programs
The park has programs to help protect its environment. These include:
- Controlling weeds like African bridal creeper and boneseed.
- Managing animals like feral goats and kangaroos to prevent overgrazing.
- Replanting native plant species to help the bushland grow back.
Park Facilities
The park offers several facilities for visitors:
- Information Centre/Ranger's Office
- Ted and Molly Hughes Conference Centre (available for hire)
- Barbecue sites
- Picnic areas, especially by the lake
- North Oval, which has a cricket pitch
- Walking trails
- Playground
- Toilets
Main Attractions and Activities
- See native wildlife
- Go bushwalking
- Enjoy the beautiful sights
- Learn about the goldfields history
- Go bird watching
- Volunteer for weed control (contact the park office or Friends group)
- Take dusk walks
- Discover many different plants, including some rare orchids
- Ride motorbikes and bicycles on public roads only
- Walk your pets on a leash
- Go horse riding in certain areas
Images for kids
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Yaccas growing in crevices in granite gneiss outcrop near Lizard Rock
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Yacca growing in crevice in granite gneiss outcrop near Lizard Rock
