Montacute Conservation Park

About: Montacute Conservation Park conserves remnant bushland in the central Mount Lofty Ranges north-east of Adelaide. The Heysen Trail traverses the park. There is a small area for parking through Gate 1 at the end of Valley Road.

Where is it?: The park is set in very rugged hill country about 23km from Adelaide and 4.5km east of Montacute.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

Property summary: Total area 194 hectares – Hundred of Onkaparinga, Sections 210, 473, 523, 524, 5586, 5587, 5589 and 5590¹.

Landscape Management Region: Hills and Fleurieu

History: Sections 473, 523, 524, 5586, 5587, 5589 and 5590 were proclaimed as Montacute National Park on 12 August 1971(sup>2. On 27 April 1972 it was re-proclaimed as Montacute Conservation Park³. Section 210 was added on 8 March 1973⁴.

Habitat: In Montacute Conservation Park the creek lines are dominated by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and South Australian Blue Gum (E. leucoxylon) with a low understory of grasses and exotic plants. The higher slopes support Brown Stringybark (E. baxteri) and Messmate Stringybark (E. obliqua).

More information: NPWSSA, WalkingSA

Total Species Recorded to Date: 66 (non-passerines 21, passerines 45)

Common Species: Black-winged Currawong, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Adelaide Rosella

Less Common Species: Common Bronzewing, Restless Flycatcher, Eastern Shriketit, Eastern Spinebill

References:
 ¹ Department for Environment and Water (2019). Protected Areas Information System Property Summary Report (15 March 2019). Adelaide, South Australia. p. 10.  

 ²  Government of South Australia (1971). National Parks Act, 1966: Declaration of National Park. 36: 525. (12 August 1971).  

 ³  National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (SA). sch 4. p. 4.  

 ⁴  Government of South Australia (1973). National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972: Hiundred of Onkaparinga—Addition to Montacute Conservation Park. 11: 857. (8 March 1973).  

Updated: 4/09/2021