7 Nature Festival events being held in and around SA's national parks
Nature Festival is back this spring, running from 26 September to 12 October 2025. With hundreds of events across South Australia, it’s a chance to connect with nature in new and inspiring ways.
This year’s theme is “flow”, highlighting rivers and oceans, creative flow, the impermanence of flow, as well as what flow means to communities and generations.
From ranger talks to bird walks, restoration projects to creative outdoor experiences, there’s something for everyone. We’ve found seven events in and around our beautiful parks and reserves to get you started – plus, they’re all free!
For the full Nature Festival program, you can check it out here.
1. A Story of the Floods – A Ranger’s Perspective
What: This year’s Nature Festival theme is ‘flow’, and a perfect way to celebrate the festival is to learn about the Kinipapa (Cooper Creek) floods firsthand from an National Parks and Wildlife Service park ranger. Come and join us to listen to their stories and honour the energising life force that the floods bring to the Cooper Creek system and beyond.
When: Tuesday, 30 September – Wednesday 8 October
Where: Innamincka Regional Reserve
2. Safe Spaces, Wild Places: Gender and the outdoors
What: Are you interested in exploring how gender shapes our relationships with the outdoors? Join us for a unique nature-based gathering that blends art, writing and open dialogue. We invite women – including cis and trans women – to share stories, reflect on personal experiences, and connect over the joys and challenges of accessing and celebrating nature.
When: Tuesday, 7 October
Where: Belair National Park
3. Re-meeting the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park
What: Join National Parks and Wildlife Service park rangers as the renowned artist Rebecca McEwan is welcomed to share her reflections about the river during her artist in residency at Sauerbier House. This will be an immersive walk as you create art with Rebecca and listen and share in the river’s gifts.
When: Tuesday, 7 October
Where: A.S Perry Reserve
4. Come & try- Friends of Sturt River Landcare Group
What: If you love being in nature and need more excuses to get out and enjoy it - come along and join the like-minded crew of Friends of Sturt River Landcare Group! The Friends are welcoming all to come and try for a day, with plenty of activities on offer. With replanting local-native seedlings by the thousand, embarking on winter weed patrols, collecting seeds, sharing stories and making friends, you won’t be short of a good time.
When: Sunday 12 October
Where: Oaklands Wetland Reserve
5. Walk in Aldinga Conservation Park with Friends of Aldinga Scrub
What: Join in on a delightful springtime walk in Aldinga Conservation Park. Discover the tranquillity of this unique natural environment located in the Willunga Basin. At this time of the year, you will see many of the plants in full flower, and also some of the creatures who call Aldinga Conservation Park home. Your guides will be local experts who can tell you all about the flora and fauna you will see, and the importance of caring for this very special place.
When: Sunday 12 October
Where: Aldinga Conservation Park
6. Echoes of the Earth: A Cultural Walk
What:Join in on a powerful cultural experience at the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves National Park, led by local First Nations Elder, Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr. This cultural walk and talk will explore the deep connection between people and place, revealing the natural flow of the seasons, the traditional uses of bush plants, and the wisdom of First Nations people living in harmony with nature.
When: Sunday 12 October(2 sessions available)
Where: Naracoorte Caves - Wonambi Fossil Centre
7. Enjoy the birds of Penola Conservation Park - Bird Lover in Residence Walk
What: Join in on this bird enthusiast’s walk in Penola Conservation Park, which showcases some of the best wetland, woodland and open heath environments in the State's south east. In spring it is also known for its beautiful wildflowers. It is home to a large number of native bird and other animals species including many species of wetland birds, the striking yellow-tailed black-cockatoo, echidna and red-necked wallaby.
When: Sunday 5 October
Where: Penola Conservation Park
Park of the Month
Throughout October, the Nature Festival is being celebrated as the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Park of the Month. There are lots of events and activities to get involved in, find them here!
Main header image credit: Rebecca McEwan
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