Deep Creek Conservation Park
Encyclopedia
Deep Creek Conservation Park is 45 square kilometres of natural Australia
n bush land located at the southern end of Fleurieu Peninsula
in South Australia
, 11 km east of Cape Jervis
. It has spectacular cliffs fronting the Southern Ocean
. The total of 18 km of coastline include views across Backstairs Passage
to Kangaroo Island
. The gullies contain orchids and ferns, while the hilltops have stunted scrub and low windswept trees. Walking trails (including part of the famous Heysen Trail
) provide access to most of the park.
Easy Walks
An easy 20 minute nature trail the stringybark and yacca-bush forest. Information boards
are located at intervals along the way.
An easy walk through the forest near Stringybark Campground.
Follows fire trails from Stringybark Campground.
Moderate Hikes
Descends steeply to the Deep Creek Waterfall. The walk is not long and the track is
well maintained with steps in steeper sections. The return walk is mostly uphill.
Descends moderately to Deep Creek Cove. The return walk is a long moderate ascent.
A circuit hike that crosses the open areas at the higher sections of the park
before descending toward Eagle Waterhole Campground. Plenty of Western Grey Kangaroos
can be seen on this hike.
Hard Hikes
A spectacular and challenging hike that involves some steep hills and scrambling in
some places. Hiking boots are required as there are steep and slippery sections in close
proximity to cliff edges.
Descends to Blowhole Beach from Cobbler Hill. Can be incredibly windy. The track
is not especially rough but the ascent on the return hike is long and steep.
Another spectacular and challenging hike that has some long and steep undulations. This
walk goes right into the dense Deep Creek vegetation and is not a leisurely stroll.
Follows the creek to the coast, many creek crossings involved, stunning views.
The Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail
enters Deep Creek near Blowhole Beach, not far from its starting point at
Cape Jervis. It traverses the park via Eagle Waterhole, Trig Campground, Deep Creek Waterfall
and exits at Boat Harbour beach before continuing to Tunkalilla beach. It is well marked with
the red and white Heysen Trail track markers.
Stringybark
A sheltered forest setting with 16 sites, hot showers, toilets and rain water. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.
Trig
Central to the main hiking trails, open grassy areas with many well-sheltered and shady sites. 25 sites, toilets and rain water available. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.
Tapanappa
18 moderately sheltered sites with spectacular coastal views close by. Toilets and rain water available.
Cobbler Hill
10 sites with toilets and rain water close to Blowhole Creek Beach. Can be exposed during windy conditions.
Eagle Waterhole
Located on the Heysen Trail, and only able to be used by hikers. A hikers hut and rainwater tank has been erected at this site.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n bush land located at the southern end of Fleurieu Peninsula
Fleurieu Peninsula
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a peninsula located south of Adelaide in South Australia, Australia. It was named after the French explorer and hydrographer Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin as he mapped the south coast of Australia in 1802.Towns of interest in the...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, 11 km east of Cape Jervis
Cape Jervis, South Australia
Cape Jervis is a town at the southwestern tip of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, approximately 108 km south of Adelaide. The population is approximately 300 people and growing rapidly, with a new estate situated behind the main town...
. It has spectacular cliffs fronting the Southern Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
. The total of 18 km of coastline include views across Backstairs Passage
Backstairs Passage
Backstairs Passage is a body of water lying between Cape Jervis on the Australian mainland and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It disappeared under the rising sea around 13,000 years ago, at the end of the Pleistocene era....
to Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is Australia's third-largest island after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf St Vincent. Its closest point to the mainland is off Cape Jervis, on the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula in the state of South Australia. The island is long...
. The gullies contain orchids and ferns, while the hilltops have stunted scrub and low windswept trees. Walking trails (including part of the famous Heysen Trail
Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail in South Australia. It runs from Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges via the Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is approximately 1200 km in length....
) provide access to most of the park.
Notable Walks
There are many different walks in Deep Creek Conservation Park, ranging from easy walks, through moderate hikes and hard hikes. Overnight treks are also possible by linking walks.Easy Walks
- Stringybark Loop Walk
An easy 20 minute nature trail the stringybark and yacca-bush forest. Information boards
are located at intervals along the way.
- Forest Circuit Walk
An easy walk through the forest near Stringybark Campground.
- Spring Wildflower Walk
Follows fire trails from Stringybark Campground.
Moderate Hikes
- Deep Creek Waterfall from Tent Rock Road
Descends steeply to the Deep Creek Waterfall. The walk is not long and the track is
well maintained with steps in steeper sections. The return walk is mostly uphill.
- Deep Creek Cove from Trig Camping Area
Descends moderately to Deep Creek Cove. The return walk is a long moderate ascent.
- Aaron Creek Circuit Hike
A circuit hike that crosses the open areas at the higher sections of the park
before descending toward Eagle Waterhole Campground. Plenty of Western Grey Kangaroos
can be seen on this hike.
Hard Hikes
- Deep Creek Cove from Tapanappa Lookout
A spectacular and challenging hike that involves some steep hills and scrambling in
some places. Hiking boots are required as there are steep and slippery sections in close
proximity to cliff edges.
- Blowhole Beach Hike
Descends to Blowhole Beach from Cobbler Hill. Can be incredibly windy. The track
is not especially rough but the ascent on the return hike is long and steep.
- Deep Creek Waterfall from Tapanappa Lookout
Another spectacular and challenging hike that has some long and steep undulations. This
walk goes right into the dense Deep Creek vegetation and is not a leisurely stroll.
- Aaron Creek Hike.
Follows the creek to the coast, many creek crossings involved, stunning views.
The Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail
Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail in South Australia. It runs from Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges via the Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is approximately 1200 km in length....
enters Deep Creek near Blowhole Beach, not far from its starting point at
Cape Jervis. It traverses the park via Eagle Waterhole, Trig Campground, Deep Creek Waterfall
and exits at Boat Harbour beach before continuing to Tunkalilla beach. It is well marked with
the red and white Heysen Trail track markers.
Camping
Deep Creek Conservation has five camping areas available with various facilities.Stringybark
A sheltered forest setting with 16 sites, hot showers, toilets and rain water. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.
Trig
Central to the main hiking trails, open grassy areas with many well-sheltered and shady sites. 25 sites, toilets and rain water available. Sites available for caravans and camp trailers. No powered sites available.
Tapanappa
18 moderately sheltered sites with spectacular coastal views close by. Toilets and rain water available.
Cobbler Hill
10 sites with toilets and rain water close to Blowhole Creek Beach. Can be exposed during windy conditions.
Eagle Waterhole
Located on the Heysen Trail, and only able to be used by hikers. A hikers hut and rainwater tank has been erected at this site.