Explore the mighty Murraylands
May’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Park of the Month is the Murraylands. With close to 30 parks in the region, you could spend every day of May in a different park and only scrape the surface of what there is to see and do.
As well as the mighty Murray flowing throughout the region, the Murraylands is home to vast tracts of native vegetation, conserved through the national parks network.
NPWS District Ranger Jared Pippos encouraged people to explore the region by day and night.
“As places of great biodiversity, the parks are home to an array of significant plant and animal species. The Murraylands parks are unique as they offer something for everyone from activities such as walking and wombat watching to 4wd adventures and stargazing,” he said.
To celebrate being Park of the Month, visitors to Brookfield Conservation Park can take part in a special Wombat Walk and Campout Under the Stars on Saturday 31 May 2025.
A popular event, wombat spotters will head out with a park ranger and volunteers from the Friends of Brookfield Conservation Park to learn about and see wombats as they venture out of their burrows for a sunset snack.
Camping out at Brookfield and at other sites within the Murraylands promises to be spectacular as the region is located within the International Dark Sky Reserve. As one of only 21 in the world, more than 3,200 square kilometres are designated as the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve.
“Without light pollution to spoil your view, a clear night can promise to dazzle with a blanket of stars, planets and galactical goings on. Just don’t forget your telescope,” said Jared.
During the day, there is also plenty to keep you busy. The parks of the Murraylands offer countless opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, camping, and four-wheel drive touring.
If you have a 4-wheel drive, join the Ngarkat Tag Along Tour on Sunday 4 May. Adventurers will tag along with rangers in a 4WD tour through the southwest of Ngarkat Conservation Park and learn more about the conservation and management activities that occur throughout the park. You’ll also get to hike two walking trails. Camping is also available (self-sufficient camping only) but must be booked beforehand.
Birdwatchers can also enjoy a special Park of the Month bird watching walk in Kinchina Conservation Park on Friday 23 May 2025. Led by naturalist Phil Barron and volunteer rangers, the experience will take visitors through an area that is home to precious bush birds such as the diamond firetail, rufous whistler, shy heathwren, Babblers, dusky woodswallows, hooded and red-capped robins, owlet nightjars and a variety of parrots. As well as birdwatching, this walk is also a terrific opportunity to fine tune photography skills.
On Sunday 25 May 2025, bike riders can enjoy a beginner-friendly mountain bike ride through the scenic trails of Kinchina Conservation Park. Perfect for riders aged 13 and over, this relaxed 1–2 hour session will explore easy and enjoyable trails ideal for those new to mountain biking. Bike hire is available.
For more information about Park of the Month and for tickets, visit: www.parks.sa.gov.au/park-of-the-month
