Nearby
Cleland Conservation Park This park protects a variety of vegetation, from the stringybark forests in the highlands to the woods and grasses of the lowlands. It also includes panoramic views from the Mount Lofty Summit viewing platform. A highlight is the award-winning Cleland Wildlife Park where many native animals wander freely about. Kids will enjoy the daily animal-feeding shows and the fabulous guided night tours. Bookings (08) 8339 2444. For a rich cultural experience, take the guided Aboriginal tour on the Yurridla Trail where Dreamtime stories come alive. Mount Lofty Summit Rd; 14 km NW.
Belair National Park The oldest national park in SA was declared in 1891. There are plenty of activities, including 5 defined bushwalks ranging from the easy Wood Duck Walk to the more challenging 6.5 km Waterfall Walk, and cycling and horseriding tracks. Visitors can also visit Old Government House, built in 1859 to serve as the governor's summer residence (open Sun and public holidays); (08) 8278 5477; 19 km W.
Mount Barker: a historic town renowned for its gourmet outlets. The SteamRanger tourist train operates from here, including regular trips to Strathalbyn and on to the coastal section from Goolwa to Victor Harbor (this section is known as the Cockle Train; see Goolwa). For SteamRanger information and bookings contact 1300 655 991. Local events include the Highland Gathering and Heritage Festival in Feb; 6 km SE. Bridgewater: a historic town with excellent gardens and Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill, which has wine-tastings, sales and an up-market restaurant for lunch in a historic flour mill; 6 km W. Oakbank: craft shops and historic buildings with self-guide heritage-walk brochure available from local businesses. The Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, held each April, is the Southern Hemisphere's biggest picnic race meeting and brings thousands of visitors to the town each year; 7 km N. Aldgate: a historic village featuring art and craft shops and historic sites that include the Aldgate Pump and the National Trust-listed Stangate House with its extensive camellia garden; 8 km W. Stirling: renowned for its European gardens and architecture, including the National Estate-listed Beechworth Heritage Garden (Snows Rd). See colourful parrots in the aviaries at Stirling Parrot Farm (Milan Tce); 10 km W. Warrawong Sanctuary: large native animal reserve for reintroduced and endangered species, with walking trails and a boardwalk around Platypus Lakes. Guided dawn and evening tours are available; bookings (08) 8370 9197; 10 km SW via Mylor. Jupiter Creek Goldfields: walking trails with interpretive signs across historic fields discovered in 1852; 12 km SW. Woodside Heritage Village: includes Melba's Chocolate Factory (with guided tours and sales) as well as craft studios with artisans at work; Woodside; 13 km NE. Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens: Australia's largest botanic gardens, with walking trails past cool-climate garden species, on the eastern face of Mt Lofty; access via Summit or Piccadilly rds; 14 km NW. Wittunga Botanic Gardens: native plants; Shepherds Hill Rd; 21 km W at Blackwood.
