Aldinga Conservation Park – Aldinga Scrub

Where is it?: Aldinga Scrub is situated along the coastline between the townships of Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach. It is now surrounded by residential development.

Public transport is available on Bus Route 750 (Colonnades Centre Interchange to Sellicks Beach) 0r 750X (Seaford Interchange to Sellicks Beach). Alight at either Bus Stops 127 or 128 on The Esplanade or Stops 130 or 130A on Norman Road for access to the park. Catch the train from Adelaide to Seaford.

There is a small car park located on the corner of Fraser and Dover Streets. Access gates are situated at the corner of Wattle Avenue and Acacia Terrace, Quandong Avenue, Fraser Street, Boomerang Avenue and Cox Road.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water

Property summary: Total area 266 hectares – Hundred of Wilunga, Section 821 and Allotments 14 and 15 (Deposited Plan 7147), 4 (Filed Plan 16369) and 100 (Filed Plan 29089)¹.

Landscape Management Region: Green Adelaide

History: In the 1960s the Willunga Council became concerned that subdivision of the area would cause erosion. Between 1965 and 1982, 239 hectares were purchased at Aldinga to be managed by the State Planning Authority as an Open Space Reserve. On 7 November 1985 Hundred of Willunga – Section 821 was proclaimed as Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park². On 14 March 1991 Hundred of Willunga – Allotment 4 (Filed Plan No. 164369), Allotment 14 & 15 (Deposited Plan No. 7147) and Allotment 100 (Filed Plan No, 29089) were added³. With the addition of The Washpool, Aldinga Beach-Sellicks Beach on 22 January 2022 Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park was proclaimed as the Aldinga Conservation Park⁴.

Habitat: The area contains sand dunes, sand blows (mobile dunes), mallee box (Eucalyptus porosa) woodland, remnant river red gum (E. camaldulensis) forests and closed heaths. There are areas of bracken (Pteridium esculentum) and tall shrubland dominated by Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha).

More information: DEW, Management Plan 1992, NPWSA, Friends of …

Total Species Recorded to Date: 170 (non-passerines 94, passerines 76)

Common Species: Crested Pigeon, New Holland Honeyeater,  Eastern Spinebill, Striated Thornbill, Dusky Woodswallow, Australian Golden Whistler

Less Common Species: Painted Buttonquail, Peaceful Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, White-winged Triller, Red-browed Finch

References:
 ¹ Department for Environment and Water (2019). Protected Areas Information System Property Summary Report (15 March 2019). Adelaide, South Australia. p. 1.  

 ²  Government of South Australia (1985). National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Section 30—Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park Constituted. South Australian Government Gazette 78:1362. (7 November 1985).  

 ³  Government of South Australia (1991). National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Section 30(2) Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park—Alteration of Boundaries. South Australian Government Gazette 24:854. (14 March 1991).  

 ⁴  Government of South Australia (1991). National Parks and Wildlife Act (Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park—Alteration of Name) Proclamation 2022. South Australian Government Gazette 5:91. (20 January 2022).  

Updated: 3/02/2022