Wildlife & Nature
Koalas, kangaroos and botanic gardens
The best wildlife & nature in Adelaide Hills
Hand-feed kangaroos, meet koalas and platypus, and explore cool-climate botanic gardens that blaze with colour each autumn.
Read our guide to wildlife & nature ↓Browse wildlife & nature by area
Map shows the 24 places on this page.
Aldgate Valley Nature Walk Free
View →An easy creekside walk with wild koalas
A gentle, family-friendly nature walk along the Aldgate Creek through stringybark forest, with a good chance of spotting wild koalas in the gums.
Belair National Park $
View →South Australia's first national park - lakes, lawns, heritage buildings and bush trails on the Hills' western rim.
Cleland National Park
View →Bushwalking trails linking Mount Lofty, Waterfall Gully and the wildlife park
A web of bushwalking trails through stringybark forest and gullies linking Mount Lofty, Waterfall Gully and the wildlife park.
Cleland National Park - Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty
View →The Hills' most famous walk: a steep, waterfall-flanked climb from Waterfall Gully up to the Mount Lofty Summit.
Cleland Wildlife Park $$
View →Hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas in the bush
An open-range wildlife park on the slopes of Mount Lofty where you can walk among free-roaming kangaroos and emus and (by booking) hold a koala.
Cromer Conservation Park
View →A quiet 44-hectare woodland reserve north of Birdwood where birdwatchers have recorded 110 species.
Cudlee Creek Conservation Park
View →Regenerating bushland in the Torrens Gorge
Regenerating bushland in the Torrens Gorge
Engelbrook Reserve
View →A National Trust nature reserve on Cox Creek between Bridgewater and Aldgate, rich in ferns, stringybarks and birdlife.
Gorge Wildlife Park
View →Hands-on wildlife park in the Torrens Gorge
A long-established family wildlife park at Cudlee Creek near Gumeracha, home to a large collection of native and exotic animals with hands-on encounters in the Torrens Valley.
Hahndorf Farm Barn $$
View →A hands-on farmyard outside Hahndorf where kids can cuddle, feed and meet everything from lambs to camels.
Horsnell Gully & Giles Conservation Parks
View →Steep gullies, a hidden waterfall and two great trails on the wild western edge of the Uraidla ridge.
Jurlique Farm
View →Biodynamic skincare farm in the Mylor hills
The biodynamic flower and herb farm behind the Jurlique skincare brand, set in the green hills near Biggs Flat and Mylor, offering seasonal farm experiences among the gardens.
Kuitpo Forest Reserve
View →A 3,600-hectare working forest near Meadows with walking trails, campgrounds and historic huts among the pines.
Laratinga Wetlands
View →Birdlife-rich wetland boardwalks at Mount Barker
A constructed wetland on the edge of Mount Barker with easy looping paths and boardwalks, rich in waterbirds and a relaxed spot for a family walk in the southern Adelaide Hills.
Lobethal Bushland Park
View →Native bushland with waterfalls and spring orchids
A pretty conservation park on the edge of Lobethal with walking trails, a seasonal waterfall and spring wildflowers including native orchids, threaded along Woodside Creek.
Morialta Conservation Park $
View →Waterfalls and gorge walks on the city edge
A dramatic gorge park on the western edge of the Hills, famous for its three waterfalls, ridge-top lookouts and family-friendly nature playground.
Mount Barker Summit Free
View →A short climb to a sweeping eastern view
The conical summit above Mount Barker township, reached by a steady walking track and rewarded with 360-degree views from the ranges to the Murray plains.
Mount Crawford Forest
View →Pine and native forest for walking, riding and stargazing
Pine and native forest for walking, riding and stargazing
Mount George Conservation Park $
View →Quiet creek-side and ridge walks near Bridgewater
A peaceful conservation park between Bridgewater and Crafers with shaded creek-side and ridge trails through stringybark forest.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden Free
View →Cool-climate gardens that blaze with autumn colour
A spectacular cool-climate botanic garden on the slopes below Mount Lofty, famous for rhododendrons, a tranquil lower lake and dazzling autumn foliage.
Mount Lofty Summit Free
View →The Hills' most famous view over Adelaide
The highest point of the Mount Lofty Ranges, with a panoramic lookout over the Adelaide plains and coast, a visitor centre, cafe and trailheads.
Mylor / Heysen Trail Loop $
View →Bushland walking from the Mylor village
Accessible bushland and Heysen Trail walking radiating from the village of Mylor, threading native forest, the Onkaparinga River and quiet back roads.
Mylor Conservation Park
View →A pocket of remnant eucalypt woodland on the edge of Mylor village, threaded by the Heysen Trail and alive with birds.
Newman's Nursery Ruins
View →Romantic glasshouse ruins from a pioneering nursery
Romantic glasshouse ruins from a pioneering nursery
About wildlife & nature in Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills is one of the easiest places in Australia to get close to native wildlife, with open-range parks, fenced sanctuaries and conservation reserves all within a short drive of the city. The cool, forested ranges are home to wild koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and an abundance of birdlife, and several parks let you walk right among the animals.
The headline experience is Cleland Wildlife Park on the slopes of Mount Lofty, where free-roaming kangaroos and emus wander the paths and you can book to hold a koala. Near Mylor, Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary has brought platypus, bettongs and bandicoots back from the brink behind a feral-proof fence. For gardens and gentler nature, the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden dazzles with rhododendrons and autumn colour.
Koalas turn up in the gums on many bushwalks, especially around Aldgate, so keep your eyes on the canopy. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot animals on the move.
Wildlife & Nature in Adelaide Hills - frequently asked questions
What is the Adelaide Hills known for when it comes to wildlife and nature?
The cool, forested Mount Lofty Ranges are one of the easiest places in Australia to get close to native animals, with wild koalas, western grey kangaroos, echidnas and abundant birdlife living right on Adelaide's doorstep. The region is best known for Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas, and for cool-climate gardens like the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden that blaze with red, orange and gold each autumn.
Where can I hold a koala or see a platypus in the Adelaide Hills?
Cleland Wildlife Park at Crafers, about 20 minutes from the city, is one of only a few places in the world where you can hold a koala, with kangaroos and wallabies roaming freely among visitors across more than 130 native species. To spot the elusive platypus, head to Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary at Mylor, the only place on mainland South Australia where you may see one in the wild on a guided tour.
Do I need to book, and what does it cost to visit the wildlife parks?
Cleland Wildlife Park is open daily and you can usually buy general entry on arrival, but the koala hold experience costs extra, runs on set days and must be pre-booked directly with the park. Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary runs guided tours and animal encounters that are best booked in advance. Many of the region's nature spots, including the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty Summit and most conservation parks, are free to enter, though parking fees apply at the summit and the botanic garden, and Belair National Park charges a vehicle entry fee.
When is the best time of year to visit for nature and gardens?
Autumn, roughly from mid-March to late May and into June, is the standout season, when the cool-climate plants at the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden turn brilliant shades of scarlet, yellow and bronze. The Hills can be cooler and wetter than the Adelaide plains year-round, so bring layers and a waterproof, and visit gardens early on a weekday morning to beat the crowds.
Are the wildlife and nature spots family and dog friendly?
Many parks are great for families and dogs, though the wildlife parks are not. Belair National Park, South Australia's oldest national park, welcomes dogs on lead and has a pram-friendly loop and adventure playground, while Morialta allows dogs in a designated recreation zone with its popular nature playground. Dogs are not permitted at Cleland Wildlife Park or Cleland Conservation Park, with only assistance animals allowed.