Aberdour Conservation Park

Where is it?: Aberdour Conservation Park lies approximately 35 kilometres south of Keith on the corner of Cannawigara and Nankivells Road.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water

Property summary: Total area 145 hectares – Hundred of Willalooka, Sections 7 and 80.

Landscape Management Region: Limestone Coast

History: The Nankivell family made a gift of 131 hectares and this was proclaimed as a park on 28 February 1991. An additional 14 hectares was added on 16 February 2006. This was previously a Stone Reserve under the control of the Tatiara District Council.

Habitat: Aberdour Conservation Park is dominated by three main landforms, each with a distinctive vegetation community:

• Coastal mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) / narrow-leaved red mallee (Eucalyptus leptophylla) Open Scrub: This community occurs on the rocky calcrete, north-south ridge through the park. Other dominant species include broombush (Melaleuca uncinata), slaty sheoak (Allocasuarina muelleriana), and silver broombush (Baeckea behrii)

• Yellow mallee (Eucalyptus incrassata) Open Scrub: Located along a small strip adjacent to the northern boundary, this community is associated with sandy soil. Other dominant species include broombush (Melaleuca uncinata). Slaty sheoak (Allocasuarina muelleriana), and silver broombush (Baeckea behrii). The major difference between this community and the previous one is the presence of the canopy species E. incrassata and the scattering throughout the community of  dryland tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata).

• Pink gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) Woodland Plain: This community occurs along the eastern boundary of the park. It has a very diverse understorey and groundcover.

More information. DEWNR

Total Species Recorded to Date: 57 (non-passerines 20, passerines 37)

Common Species: Galah, Red-rumped Parrot, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Purple-gaped Honeyeater,

Less Common Species: Cockatiel, Purple-backed Fairywren, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Thornbill, Black-faced Cuckooshrike

Updated: 9/01/2022