Wildlife & Nature
Koalas, kangaroos and botanic gardens
The best wildlife & nature in Bridgewater
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.
Browse wildlife & nature by area
3 places
Engelbrook Reserve
A National Trust nature reserve on Cox Creek between Bridgewater and Aldgate, rich in ferns, stringybarks and birdlife.
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