Clinton Conservation Park

Where is it?: Clinton Conservation Park runs from Port Clinton around the head of Gulf St Vincent to south of Port Wakefield.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water

Property summary: Total area 2072 hectares. Hundred of Clinton – Sections 568, 586-589, 622, 623, 631, 632, 652, Allotment 102 (Deposited Plan 91763), Closed Road D; Hundred of Goyder – Section 652; Hundred of Inkerman – Sections 282, 293, 294, 441 and 446 and Allotment 313 (Deposited Plan 45552)

Natural Resources Management Region: Natural Resources Northern and Yorke

History: Section 568 was proclaimed as Clinton National Park on 10 September 1970.  This was re-proclaimed as Clinton Conservation Park on 27 April 1972. Sections 586-589 were added on 14 October 1976. Section 446 was added 28 July 1983. Sections 622 and 623 were added on 9 March 1989. Sections 282, 293, 294, 441, 570, 582, 631 and 632, Allotments 102 and 313, and Closed Road D were added on 23 June 2016.

Habitat: There are a number of distinct plant communities with the park.

• Mangrove woodland – Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina ssp. marina).
• Low (Samphire) shrubland – Shrubby Samphire (Sclerostegia arbuscula) and various other samphires (Sarcocornia spp).
• Low shrubland – Marsh Saltbush (Atriplex paludosa), Salt Bluebush (Maireana oppositifolia) and Nitre-bush (Nitraria billardierii).
• Open scrub – Marsh Saltbush, Salt Bluebush and Nitre-bush in addition to Common Boobialla (Myoporum insulare), Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axillaris) and Sea Box (Alyxia buxifolia).
• Low woodland – Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata ssp. lanceolata) and Native Apricot (Pittosporum angustifolium).
• Low scrubland – Bitter Saltbush (Atriplex stipitata) and Short-leaf Bluebush (Maireana brevifolia).
• Open scrub – Yorrell (Eucalyptus gracilis)

At low tide extensive areas of mudflats are exposed outside of the park.

More information: DEW

Total Species Recorded to Date: 155 (non-passerines 105, passerines 50). 

Specific sites: Port Arthur is adjacent to the Yorke Highway c. 9km NNE of Clinton. Car parking is available at this site. Total Species Recorded to Date: 92 (non-passerines 63, passerines 29). Bird list

Common Species: Grey Teal, White-faced Heron, Far Eastern Curlew, Common Greenshank, Crested Pigeon, Singing Honeyeater, White-browned Scrubwren

Less Common Species: Great Crested Grebe, Blue-winged Parrot, Nankeen Night Heron, Sacred Kingfisher, White-winged Fairywren, Horsfield’s Bushlark

References:
Anonymous. (2009). Mainland Conservation Parks of Yorke Peninsula Management Plan. Department for Environment and Heritage. Adelaide, South Australia.
Neagle, N. (Ed.) (2008). A Biological Survey of the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, 2003-2004: Assessment of Biodiversity Assets at Risk. South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage. Adelaide, South Australia. 

Updated: 15/08/2019