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.
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.
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39 places
Aldgate Valley Nature Walk
FreeAn 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
$South Australia's first national park — lakes, lawns, heritage buildings and bush trails on the Hills' western rim.
Cleland Conservation Park – Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty
The Hills' most famous walk: a steep, waterfall-flanked climb from Waterfall Gully up to the Mount Lofty Summit.
Cleland Gully Lookout
Quiet ridge lookout below Mount Lofty
A quiet lookout on the ridge below Mount Lofty near Crafers, with views over the Piccadilly Valley and an easy stop on a scenic drive through the high central hills.
Cleland Gully Trail
Fern-lined creek walking below Mount Lofty
Fern-lined creek walking below Mount Lofty
Cleland Wildlife Park
$$Hand-feed kangaroos and meet koalas in the bush
An open-range wildlife park on the slopes of Mount Lofty where you can walk among free-roaming kangaroos and emus and (by booking) hold a koala.
Cromer Conservation Park
A quiet 44-hectare woodland reserve north of Birdwood where birdwatchers have recorded 110 species.
Cudlee Creek (Gorge Wildlife Park)
Hands-on wildlife park in the Torrens Gorge
A long-established family wildlife park at Cudlee Creek near Gumeracha, home to a large collection of native and exotic animals with hands-on encounters in the Torrens Valley.
Cudlee Creek Conservation Park
Regenerating bushland in the Torrens Gorge
Regenerating bushland in the Torrens Gorge
Engelbrook Reserve
A National Trust nature reserve on Cox Creek between Bridgewater and Aldgate, rich in ferns, stringybarks and birdlife.
Hahndorf Farm Barn
$$A hands-on farmyard outside Hahndorf where kids can cuddle, feed and meet everything from lambs to camels.
Horsnell Gully & Giles Conservation Parks
Steep gullies, a hidden waterfall and two great trails on the wild western edge of the Uraidla ridge.
Jurlique Farm
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
A 3,600-hectare working forest near Meadows with walking trails, campgrounds and historic huts among the pines.
Laratinga Wetlands
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
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
$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
FreeA 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
Pine and native forest for walking, riding and stargazing
Pine and native forest for walking, riding and stargazing
Mount George Conservation Park
$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 George Lookout
A short climb to long views over Bridgewater
A short climb to long views over Bridgewater
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden
FreeCool-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
FreeThe 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.
Mt Lofty Adventure Hub – Cleland Trails
A web of bushwalking trails through stringybark forest and gullies linking Mount Lofty, Waterfall Gully and the wildlife park.