Morialta Conservation Park Traditional Cache
Morialta Conservation Park
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Morialta Conservation Park is a public reserve 10 km north-east of Adelaide, in the state of South Australia, Australia. The park is in a rugged bush environment, with a narrow gorge set with three waterfalls, bounded by steep ridges and cliffs. The park caters to many activities, including bushwalking, bird watching and rock climbing.
History
The area which is now Morialta Conservation Park was originally acquired by pastoralists in 1839. In 1847, John Baker bought the land and built the grand Morialta House and Morialta Barns on Fourth Creek, near the head of the gorge.".
John Smith Reid was also a major landholder in the area, and in 1911, he offered to donate part of his land as a national reserve. Reid donated 218 hectares (540 acres) in 1913, and in 1915 the area was declared a National Pleasure Resort.
Much of the construction work in the park was begun in the 1920s and 1930s, although floods and bushfires have destroyed much of this original work. In 1966 additional property to the east was added, and the park was declared a National park. In 1972 the park was re-proclaimed as Morialta Conservation Park. Major rebuilding was required after flooding in 1980, and flooding in November 2005 again caused damage to paths and walkways.
Geography and climate
The First and Second Falls of Morialta Conservation Park cover 5.33 km² within the Mount Lofty Ranges, which run north-south to the east of Adelaide's coastal plain. It is bounded by Black Hill Conservation Park on the north, Norton Summit road on the south, the suburb of Rostrevor on the west, and by agricultural land on the east.
The park lies mostly on either side of Morialta Gorge, along the bottom of which runs Fourth Creek.
There are three waterfalls on the creek, named respectively First, Second and Third Falls. To see the falls at their best, visit the park during spring or winter when the water flow is strongest.
The park receives average annual rainfall of 800 mm, mostly between May and September. During summer (December to February) temperatures can rise above 40 degrees.
Activities
The park caters for a variety of activities, including bushwalking, picnics, rock climbing and bird watching. There are many walking paths within the park.
Being only 10 km from the centre of Adelaide and having a large number of climbs, Morialta is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in South Australia. The rock is quartzite, and there are heavy duty rings at the top of most routes to allow for easy top-roping.
The views from the rock climbing zone also provide opportunities to admire Morialta Gorge and the nearby Adelaide plains.
Access
A car park is situated at the start of the walking trails. (Fee required)
Alternatively, park your vehicle at the Morialta Road entrance, Woodforde and walk 800 metres to the Morialta Falls car park precinct.
Public transport to this park from Adelaide CBD is available.
Opening Hours The park is open to vehicle traffic from 8.30am to 15 minutes before sunset. Gates are closed on Christmas Day.
Walkers can access the park from sunrise to sunset.
Please come and spend the day at this wonderful area and enjoy the magic that is right at our doorstep
Please do not park at GZ, it is a no standing zone and parking here will damage the environment. Please proceed a little further down the street to the listed parking area.
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Treasures
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