Wildlife & Nature
Koalas, kangaroos and botanic gardens
The best wildlife & nature in Crafers
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
7 places
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
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.
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.
Piccadilly Valley
A misty, green valley of vines and market gardens
A misty, green valley of vines and market gardens