Deep Creek Conservation Park

Just ninety minutes south of Adelaide lies Deep Creek Conservation Park which is the largest portion of remaining natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Comprising approximately four and a half thousand hectares, with eigthteen kilometres of spectacular coastline, Deep Creek is home to a unique range of flora and fauna.

The park is named after a small creek which slices its way through thick scrub and low lying heath country. And it also winds its way through beautiful stringybark forests - a haven for the yellow tailed black cockatoo and the Adelaide Rosella. In fact this stretch of thick stringybark is one of the most pristine in South Australia having only been logged for a short period during the Second World War. As you leave the stringybark and make for the coast the flora slowly changes to dense woodland.

The world famous walking track - the Heysen Trail and a number of shorter walks - snake their way through almost twenty kilometres of the park, offering spectacular coastal views of the Pages Flat and further out to Kangaroo Island. While the views are certainly enticing - walking here requires decent preparation and gear. But it's not hard to see why Deep Creek is such a magnet for bushwalkers and campers.
"Visitors to the park will see kangaroos out on the open country and we have a lot of other small mammals in the park. The park has been important for conserving these was well and being a coastal park we also get marine mammals like dolphins and occasionally seals. Whales also make the occasional visit".
Five campgrounds are located throughout the park but for those wanting a more luxurious holiday, Southern Ocean Retreats operates a number of cottages throughout Deep Creek , including the homestead.

While Postcards can't guarantee this sort of welcome... the day we arrived the local fauna was certainly out in force. This is in fact is the view from the Homestead's main living area, a view which explains why Barry Dykers - a former high-powered public servant - moved with his family to Deep Creek several years ago to get away from the city rat race.
"It only takes an hour and a half to get down here from Adelaide, which is great - so slowly but surely more people are becoming aware of that". Ron wanted to know,
"So a heavily stressed public servant could be down here on a Friday night - leaving at six and arriving at 8pm and what would they see during daylight saving hours".
"We can almost guarantee people that there will be quite a few mobs of kangaroos ready here to greet them when they arrive. Not only do people see all the wildlife, they're surrounded by it at night time and during the morning at the place that they're staying.

The Homestead was built for a returned serviceman who took up residence in 1946. For many years the property was used to run sheep and cattle - and was later acquired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Park. Foe twenty years the homestead was abandoned and required major restoration work. Now its jarrah floorboards stand out as a feature - along with its majestic views.

To get to Deep Creek drive past Second Valley and turn left at the Delamere Store, then just follow the signs to the Park Headquarters. Deep Creek Homestead sleeps 8. Accommodation for two is one hundred dollars a night with each additional person costing twenty dollars a night. Bookings can be made through Southern Ocean Retreats. Contact Jane or Barry on 08 8598 4169 or email info@postcards-sa.com.au