Talisker Conservation Park

Where is it?: Talisker Conservation Park is c. 7 km (by road) east of Cape Jervis off Rarkang Road. Parking is available near the mine site on Talisker Road.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

Property summary: Total area 211 hectares. Hundred of Willunga – Sections 420-421, 424-427¹.

Landscape Management Region: Hills and Fleurieu

History: Talisker Conservation Park was originally purchased by the South Australian Government in 1976 as a Regional Open Space Reserve and placed under the management of the State Planning Authority. This was considered to be a strategic purchase of high quality natural land containing a historic mining site. Sections 420-421 were first proclaimed as a conservation park on 28 November 1985² and sections 424-427 were added on 23 March 1989³.

The Talisker Silver Lead Mine ruins are recorded in the State Heritage Register as a significant representation of 19th century mining history⁴.

Habitat: The main habitats in the park are:

• Open Forest – Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) +/- Pink Gum (E. fasciculosa)
• Savannah Woodland – Rough-barked Manna Gum (E. viminalis ssp. cygnetensis)⁵.

More information: DEW WalkingSA

Common Species: Superb Fairywren, Grey Fantail, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, Adelaide Rosella, Grey Shrikethrush, White-throated Treecreeper, Striated Thornbill

Less Common Species: Elegant Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Black-capped Sittella, Bassian Thrush, Willie Wagtail

References

 ¹ Department for Environment and Water. (2019). Protected Areas Information System. Property Summary Report. 30 March 2019. p. 16. 

 ² Government of South Australia. National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972: Sections 30 and 43—Constitution of Talisker Conservation Park. The South Australian Government Gazette. 85: 1612. (28 November 1985). 

 ³ Government of South Australia.National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972, Sections 30(2) and 43(2):Talisker Conservation Park—Alteration of Boundaries. The South Australian Government Gazette. 24: 820. (23 March 1989). 

 ⁴ South Australian Heritage Places. 

 ⁵ Deep Creek and Talisker Conservation Parks Management Plan 1997. Department for Environment and Natural Resources. 

Updated: 28/07/2021