DEEP CREEK CONSERVATION PARK with MARK BICKLEY: In the Fleurieu Peninsula Region of South Australia
Deep Creek Conservation Park.. is located about ten minutes drive southeast of Cape Jervis. There are various way to explore this southern tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula... but one of the best is on foot.. so I pulled on the Rossi boots and headed off on into the heart of the thick vegetation this park is known for.
"This is one of the features of the park.. The deep creek waterfall. The Conservation Park comprises four and a half thousand hectares, with 18 kilometres of coastline. and it's home to some stunning scenery."
There are numerous walks throughout the park.. some like the Waterfall Walk form part of the Heysen Trail and are for experienced hikers. Or then again you can always luxuriate in style at one of Barry Duyker's Ridgetop Retreats. They're a combination of curved lines, galvanised iron, Hindmarsh Valley stonework and the latest in solar technology. Designed by Max Pritchard, the retreats have won a major architectural award and sit lightly in this stunning setting.
"Over here next to you there are lots of wildflowers in season at the moment September and October are a great time to come for that and they're just starting to pop out now."
"Ok let's have a look inside.. what was the brief you gave to the architect when you were designing the place."
"One of the key things that we wanted to achieve mark was to bring the outdoors inside.. So that people even when they were inside the retreats sitting down here still had a sense of where they were. And I think we have achieved that spectacularly."
From behind the groovy kitchen sink or at the dinner table you can look out on nature as it explodes into spring colour.
Barry also manages Goondooloo Cottage - ideal for a family holiday with room for six people. This place has.. shall we say.. evolved over time. It was built in 1955 as a one room shed for the bloke who still milks the local herd. In the early 70s a retired American General built the impressive and very cosy sunroom. Here you can watch the world go by in much the same way these guys do.
"If you're staying at the goondooloo cottage with your family make sure you take the Aaron Creek walk.. within minutes you're up close and personal with hundreds of these western grey kangaroos."
On a short walk from Goondooloo with ranger Caroline Paterson I got a real sense of what this park is all about.. with stunning views to The Pages Islands in Backstairs Passage and out in the distance Cape Willoughby on Kangaroo Island. In one pasture the western greys soak up the afternoon sun... and across the way.. mum and the little one are also looking for a feed. In 1946 the Deep Creek Homestead was built for a returned serviceman and for many years the property was used to run sheep and cattle - until it was acquired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
“And what, we end up there. Uhm.. that's a fair way.”
Down at the nearby picturesque Eagle Waterhole... with it's gullies crammed with introduced lilies.. we caught up with some students from Concordia College.. as they mapped out their next assault on the Heysen Trail.. but not before some tucker and a rest. This is one of the latest huts on the trail and offers basic bunks and shelter for the committed walker.
“Take a look around here....this is one of the best spots that I've been and I've been to quite a few places, so just ease of access and what it has to offer makes this a special place.”
“The trial encompasses a wide range of different habitat types as well we go from grasslands through to woodlands and forests and coves and shaded gullies like we've got down here. So that's pretty important for habitat.”
The blue wren like the secret gullies.. and soon the National Parks staff hope to attract the endangered glossy black cockatoos to the sheoaks on the mainland at places like Blowhole Beach.... a must for those who like to drop a line and simply bathe in the stunning beauty of this coastal setting.
In fact it's easy to get a little blase about the spectacular ocean views.. and nature at your feet. If all this is too overwhelming then why not count the roos at Tapanappa lookout and enjoy a late afternoon picnic like I did with Barry, his wife Jane.. and the kids. It's a great way to say goodbye to one of our great Conservation Parks.
Deep Creek is about two hours drive from Adelaide - just east of Cape Jervis. You'll need a pass. For details contact the rangers office on 8552 3677. And remember - don't feed the roos. For overnight accommodation at the Ridgetop Retreats and Goondooloo Cottage contact Southern Ocean Retreats on 8598 4169. If you have any further questions please email
info@postcards-sa.com.au[Notes:Deep Creek Conservation Park - Turn left at Delamere store and follow the signs - Day entry $6.50 Vehicle based camping $6.50 to $15.50 - Contact Park Headquarters on 8552 3677]
[Notes:Southern Ocean Retreats - Ridgetop Retreat $132 per couple $35 per additional person - Goondooloo Cottage $70 per couple - Contact 8598 4169]
