Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park

Where is it?: The Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park is on the Oodnadatta Track at Coward Springs, 130km WNW of Marree and 75km SE of William Creek. The major attractions of this park are Pirdali-nha (Blanche Cup) and Thirrka (The Bubbler) mound springs. These are both excellent examples of natural artesian springs. Wabma Kadarbu (Hamilton Hill), a large hill in an otherwise flat landscape, is a large extinct mound spring that indicates much higher flows from mound springs in the geological past. There is a camp-ground at Coward Springs.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water

Property summary: Total area 12,016 hectares. Out of Hundreds (Curdimurka) – Allotments 320 & 321 (Deposited Plan 42441), Allotments 31 & 32 (Deposited Plan 54705). ¹

History:  Allotments (320 and 321) were proclaimed on 18 July 1996 ³. On 11 October 2001 Allotments 31 and 32 were added ⁴.

The management plan for this park has been developed to support the Arabana people in their role as custodians of this ancient landscape. ²

Natural Resources Management Region: Natural Resources South Australian Arid Lands

Habitat: The Arid zone vegetation is comprised predominantly of low open shrubland with Cotton Bush (Maireana aphylla), Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia ssp. nummularia), Bladder Saltbush (A. vesicaria) and Kudlawa (Nitre Bush) (Nitraria billardierei).

The Wetland tails support Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Bore-drain Sedge (Cyperus laevigatus), Bare Twig-rush (Baumea juncea) and Salt Club-rush (Bolboschoenus caldwellii).

Other shrubs in the park include Native Myrtle (Myoporum montanum), Brown-headed Samphire (Tecticornia indica ssp. leiostachya) and Grey Samphire (Tecticornia halocnemoides ssp. longispicata). ²

More information: Friends of Mound Springs

Total Species Recorded to Date: 123 (non-passerines 75, passerines 48)

Common Species: Zebra Finch, Singing Honeyeater, Nankeen Kestrel, Crested Pigeon, Australian Pipit, Welcome Swallow

Less Common Species: Brolga, White-necked Heron, Blue-winged Parrot, Terek Sandpiper, White-breasted Woodswallow

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

 ² Department for Water, Environment and Natural Resources. (2017) Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park Management Plan 2017. Adelaide, South Australia

  ³ Government of South Australia. (1996) National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 Section 30(1): Constitution of Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park. The South Australian Government Gazette. (18 July 1996) 89: 128.

  ⁴ Government of South Australia. (2001). National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 Section 30(2): Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park—Alteration of Boundaries. The South Australian Government Gazette. (11 October 2001) 128: 4442.

Updated: 24/11/2019