Whyalla Conservation Park

Where is it?: The park is 10km north of Whyalla, adjacent to the Lincoln Highway.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

Property summary: Total area 1981 hectares. Hundred of Cultana – Section 14 and Allotment 1 (Deposited Plan 56203)¹.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

History: The park was first proclaimed as Whyalla National Park on 4 November 1971². It was reproclaimed as Whyalla Conservation Park on 27 April 1972³. Allotment 1 was added to the park on 11 December 2003⁴.

Habitat: The park is roughly divisible into two sections. The eastern plain with Western Myall (Acacia papyrocarpa) as the dominant species with some Sugarwood (Myoporum platycarpum), Bullock-bush (Alectryon oleifolium) and Native Peach (Tantalum acuminatum) and Black Oak (Casuarina cristata). The understorey is mostly Bluebush (Maireana sedifolia) and Bladder Saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria). The western portion is dissected by a series of low lying hills supporting Narrow-leaved Fuchsia Bush (Eremophila alternifolia), Lobe-leaved Hop-bush (Dodonaea lobulata) and Rock Side (Sida calyxhymenia)⁵.

The most outstanding topographic feature in the park is Wild Dog Hill (90m), in the north-west corner, a sandstone outcrop rising abruptly from the plain.

More information: NPWSSA, Friends of the Whyalla Conservation Park

Total Species Recorded to Date: 69 (non-passerines 39, passerines 60)

Common Species:  White-browed Babbler, Crested Bellbird, Grey Butcherbird, White-winged Fairywren, Purple-backed Fairywren, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Black Kite

Less Common Species: Crimson Chat, Turquoise Fairywren, Grey Fantail, Red-backed Kingfisher, Redthroat, Hooded Robin, Slender-billed Thornbill

References:
 ¹ Department for Environment and Water (2019). Protected Areas Information System Property Summary Report (15 March 2019). Adelaide, South Australia. p. 43.  

 ² National Parks Act, 1966: Declaration of National Park.The South Australian Government Gazette. 49: 1817. (4 November 1971)  

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

 ⁴ National Parks Act, 1966: Declaration of National Park.The South Australian Government Gazette 115: 4432. (11 December 2003)  

 ⁵ Department for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs. (1998). Whyalla Conservation Park Management Plan.  

Updated: 3/09/2021