Onkaparinga River National Park
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In Onkaparinga River National Park, diverse hiking trails take you to cliff tops with magnificent views, or down to permanent rock pools teeming with life. You’ll see rugged ridge tops and the narrow river valley of the spectacular Onkaparinga Gorge. This park protects some of the finest remaining pockets of remnant vegetation in the Southern Adelaide region. Wherever you go, you’ll be among native wildlife such as birds, koalas, kangaroos and possums — you may even spot an echidna. Areas of the park were used as farmland for many years, so you can also discover heritage-listed huts and the ruins of houses built in the 1880s.
Shared-use trails also offer opportunities for mountain bike riders and horse riders to enjoy the rugged beauty of the park
Just next door, to the west of the national park, Onkaparinga River Recreation Park boasts wetlands, boardwalks to explore and kayaking opportunities.
Open daily.
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Check the ‘Safety’ tab for more information on when you can have a campfire in this park.
Visitor information, bookings and park management:
Black Hill National Parks and Wildlife Service Office
Phone: (+61) 7133 7300
Email: DEW.NPWSSouthMetro@sa.gov.au
Emergency contacts:
Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations
Phone: Triple Zero (000)
Police Assistance
Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – Emergency After Hours Duty Officer (voice messages only, text messages are unavailable to be received)
Phone: 0427 556 676
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact Black Hill National Parks and Wildlife Service Office on (+61) 7133 7300 or the after-hours duty officer on 0427 556 676 (outside of business hours).
Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group
Marine mammals
If you find a sick or stranded marine mammal (including whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins), please contact National Parks and Wildlife Service Central Lofty Office on (+61) 7133 7300 or the Duty officer on 0427 556 676.
Visit the Onkaparinga River National Park at any time of year and you’ll find something fun to do while you’re out enjoying nature.
The park is located 35km south of Adelaide, the main walking trails are on the northern side of the gorge accessed from Piggott Range Road.
If you’re in your own vehicle, you can find this park on the map.
There is also public transport to this park from the Adelaide city centre.
Parks are for all to enjoy, we would love to hear from you about your experience in nature. You can share your comments, pictures and videos with us and others by tagging @NationalParksSA on Facebook, Instagram or email us.
Facilities
Parking
There is one accessible parking bay located at the Sundews car park on Piggott Range Road.
Toilets
There is an accessible toilet (right hand) located at the Sundews car park on Piggott Range Road. There is also an accessible toilet (right hand) located at Pink Gum campground but this is only available to campers.
See and do
Trails
Punchbowl Lookout Trail (2km)
Descend the wide hard packed trail to the lookout where there are a number of picnic benches. Return via the same trail which climbs 50m over 1km.
Camping
Situated at the eastern end of the park, this campground has 11 campsites, including three that are suitable for caravans. The campground features an accessible toilet, washing-up facilities and fire pits for use outside the fire ban season.
Most of the campsites are wheelchair accessible, they are on flat ground with a compacted gravel surface.
Campsites 1, 2, 10 and 11 are closest to the toilets. The road slopes down to the toilets but is accessible by car. The toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible, with a 900mm door width and a fixed handrail alongside the toilet. Book and pay online where there are campsite descriptions and pictures to help you choose your site.
Check out your guide to camping at Onkaparinga River National Park on the Good Living blog for useful insider tips and inspiration.
Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.
As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.
Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or contact the visitor service centre via email or on Facebook.
Dogs are not permitted in this park.
Discover which parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park tool or read 12 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks by Good Living for inspiration.
There are many spots for an informal picnic in Onkaparinga River National Park. If you’re walking in the national park, just pick your favourite view or river rock and make yourself comfortable.
There are several more formal picnic areas in the park, with amenities, free barbecues and lovely views. Next to gate 25 you’ll find a shady picnic ground with shelters, amenities, and BBQ’s. It’s tucked in behind one of South Australia’s best known wineries, so you can pick up a fine bottle of red to pair with your meal.
The location of these facilities can be found within our park maps.
Pink Gum Campground
Situated at the eastern end of the park, this brand new campground has 11 campsites, including three that are suitable for caravans, a toilet, washing-up facilities and fire pits for use outside the fire ban season.
Accessibility Information
Most of the campsites are wheelchair accessible, they are on flat ground with a compacted gravel surface. The road slopes down to the toilets but is accessible by car. The toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible, with a 900mm door width and a fixed handrail alongside the toilet.
- Read Ranger Tips: Onkaparinga River Parks blog.
- Check out your guide to camping at Onkaparinga River National Park blog for useful insider tips and inspiration.
- Check out Nature Play SA’s 40 things to do in Onkaparinga River National and Recreation Park
- Explore what other nature and outdoor activities are available in this area on the South Australia Tourism website.
- Mobile phone coverage can be patchy and unreliable in this park, especially if you are in low-lying areas.
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
Onkaparinga River National Park — views from above
Take a virtual tour of this park
Get a taste for the beauty of the river gorges, the wetland boardwalk and more.
Plants
In the eastern area of the National Park a low open forest of Grey Box and Sheoak can be seen. On the upper ridges and higher valleys a low woodland of pink gum, dryland tea-tree and sheoak is present. On wetter sites throughout the eastern section of the reserve, an open forest formation of blue gum and manna gum can be seen. Along the creek and riverbanks a riparian association dominated by river red gum occurs.
Within the floodplain and estuary area of the Recreation Park, important samphire flats occur. These areas, along with their saline margins, support communities of samphire, chenopods, saltbush and sedges. Samphire’s include Sarcocornia blackiana and Arthrocnemum halocnemoides. Aquatic estuarine flora is dominated by Garweed and various algae.
Animals
Mammals present within the park include western grey kangaroo, common brushtail possum, common ringtail possum and echidna. The lesser long-eared bat and the southern forest bat.
You’ll see all kinds of birdlife in the Onkaparinga River National Park, particularly if you take a few moments to be still. There is a diverse range of species that live in, or visit, the park – many of conservation significance. Hunting birds, such as the peregrine falcon, scour the landscape in search of birds, small mammals and lizards. You’ll probably hear the yellow-tailed black cockatoo long before you see one, their raucous cries announce their presence well in advance.
Approximately 20 fish species are recorded for the estuary and river. The major fish species include jumping mullet, black bream and yellow-eye mullet. Algae, molluscs and garweed form the major diet of the fish species.
Amphibian records include: common froglet, banjo frog, spotted marsh frog and brown tree frog. At least 20 reptile species have been recorded in the reserves. These include cunningham’s skink, eastern bearded dragon and barking gecko.
Common butterfly species include: meadow argus, cabbage white, saltbush blue, australian painted lady, common grass-blue and lesser wanderer. Gahnia filum sedge-lands in the estuary may provide habitat for populations of the endangered yellowish sedge-skipper.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the ‘Create Simple Species List’ tab under ‘Flora Tools’ or ‘Fauna Tools’ in NatureMaps.
Translated from the Kaurna language, ‘Ngangki’ means women, ‘Pari’ means river, and ‘ngka’ means location. So the correct translation for Onkaparinga is Ngangkiparingka, which means women only places along the river.
There were many Kaurna yarta (land) family groups in the traditional areas that have been recognised as Kaurna pangkara (country), and also along the plains and hills south of Crystal Brook and west of Mount Lofty to Cape Jervis. Many local place names such as ‘Onkaparinga’, ‘Noarlunga’ and ‘Willunga’ have their origins in Kaurna language.
Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.
There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations. At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.
In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.
Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia.
Colonial settlement began in the Noarlunga district from about 1839. In 1831 Captain Collett Barker entered the Onkaparinga River and ventured inland to the Horseshoe Bend (Old Noarlunga). Other early explorers and survey teams also passed through the district in 1837 – 8. By 1841, over 150 settlers occupied land in the Noarlunga area. Settlers were predominantly engaged in establishing agricultural ventures but included early storekeepers. Growth and development within the district was rapid. A wooden bridge was constructed across the river in 1840. Early crops were transported by flat-bottomed barge down the estuary and out through the mouth of the Onkaparinga River to waiting coastal ships. In 1854 – 5 a towpath from Old Noarlunga to the tramway terminal at Port Noarlunga was constructed to facilitate the passage of horse drawn barges.
In 1846 John Jared, of Lincolnshire, brought his family to South Australia and farmed for 15 years in the Aldinga/Willunga district before purchasing 240 acres at Noarlunga. He called the property Clear Farm and gradually increased his holding to 400 acres, much of which was within the current Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. In 1862 he constructed the family home and continued to farm the land until succeeded by his son John William Jared in 1871.
John William Jared extended the house and with his wife Hannah, renamed the property Pingle Farm. The remains of Pingle Farm are conserved within the reserve today. The structures include the main dwelling, a large limestone barn and an underground cylindrical tank. Other historic sites within the reserves containing remnants of early settlement also exist but have yet to be researched or documented to fully understand their significance.
The majority of the land that comprises Onkaparinga River Recreation Park and National Park was transferred to the Department of Environment in 1982 and was dedicated in 1985 as Onkaparinga River Recreation Park. The gorge section of the park was reclassified to National Park in 1993.
Ranger tips: Onkaparinga National Parks
Further inspiration:
- Have a read of Ranger Steve’s tips for Onkaparinga River Parks including his recipe for campfire nachos.
- Taking the Hardy’s Scrub Hike – this patch of scrub is a very important conservation area with excellent diversity and high quality native vegetation.
- Take your mountain bike for a ride on the Punchbowl Link Trail. The 6km intermediate level trail passes through native bushland and offers frequent views of the Onkaparinga gorge.
- Discovering heritage-listed huts and ruins of houses that were built in the 1880s on the Echidna Trail.
- Relaxing with friends and family at one of the gorgeous picnic areas in the park – some offer BBQs, toilets and shelter, and all are close to great trails.
- Hiking in the eastern end of the national park in late winter and early spring to discover the amazing display of wildflowers and birdlife.
- Walking to the Sundews Lookout in the national park for spectacular views of the Onkaparinga Gorge.
Walks in the parks range from easy walks to more challenging hikes. While you’re bushwalking in the parks, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the gorge, river and estuary.
Bushwalking is a fantastic way to connect with nature, keep fit and spend time with family and friends. South Australia’s national parks feature a range of trails that let you experience a diversity of landscapes.
Grade 2 — No bushwalking experience required
Punchbowl Lookout Trail (1 hr, 2km return)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
A short and easy trail for people of all abilities. Suitable for prams and limited mobility access. Take a leisurely stroll through the grey box woodland before heading out to the stunning Punchbowl Lookout. If going around dawn or dusk, stay quiet and you might see mobs of grazing kangaroos.
Justin Holmes presents Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Grade 3 — Suitable for most ages and fitness levels
Punchbowl Link Trail (3 hr, 6km return)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
This trail links the Sundews trail network with Punchbowl Lookout. You can return via the fire track to create a loop. The trail via the gorge passes through native bushland, with frequent gorge views.
Echidna Hike (2 hrs, 3.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
A narrow trail takes you over moderate slopes and through lovely pink gum, grey box and sheoak bushland. Enjoy the winter and spring floral displays, including stunning orchids. You will see some ruins, get great views of the gorge, and get a good workout.
Hardy’s Scrub Hike (2 hrs, 4km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
This patch of native vegetation is a very important conservation area with excellent diversity of plants created by the varied soils. Grey box grows in fertile loam or clay soils, pink gums prefer soils with a sandy well drained surface and a clay or rocky base. Southern cypress pine grows only in sandy loam soil.
Nature Hike (3 hrs, 3.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
An easy trail though regenerating pink gum and grey box woodland. This trail is a fine example of these unique plant communities. On the eastern section of the trail you’ll have fabulous views of the gorge.
Sundews Ridge Hike (2 hrs, 4km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Take a short hike to the Sundews lookout to see the rocky outcrops and the river flowing through the Onkaparinga Gorge. Sundews Ridge Hike is a moderate loop trail that runs along the ridge top, returning to the car park without descending to the river.
Sundews Lookout Hike (1.5 hrs, 2.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Take a short hike to the Sundews lookout to see the rocky outcrops and the river flowing through the Onkaparinga Gorge.
Tom Roberts Horse Trail (6km)
Enjoy a safe walk along the boundary track. You will pass through grey box woodland and sections of regenerating bushland. Look to the south for views across the gorge to the southern vales.
Chapel Hill Lookout Loop (45 min, 1.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Walk across the gentle slopes of the upper gorge. This grassy woodland area is being restored by the Friends of Onkaparinga Park. Enjoy the great views from the lookout. You’ll be able to see the river gorge below, and a diverse range of vegetation.
Grade 4 — Bushwalking experience recommended
Gorge Hike (4 hrs, 6km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Experience the river, as well as the plants and animals that live in this area. This is a hard hike that descends steeply from the Sundews lookout to the bottom of the gorge. You’ll follow the river downstream before returning up the steep slopes to the top of ridge and the car park. Some sections of this trail are not well defined, particularly along the river.
Gorge Link (2 hrs, 3.5km)
Hike or ride through the park, crossing the river along the way. Please note that the river is impassable during wet periods. You’ll descend down the into the gorge before climbing back up. The fire track in and out of the gorge is very steep, only for those with good fitness.
Old Noarlunga Hike (2 hrs 30 mins, 3.2km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Cross the swinging bridge to start this trail. You’ll discover the re-vegetation that is returning this once heavily grazed land to its original state. There are extensive views over the township of Old Noarlunga and the Onkaparinga River estuary.*
River Hike (2.5 hrs, 4.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
See spectacular views across the gorge. This area has the most intact native vegetation in the park. It starts off along gentle slopes, but becomes steeper as you descend into the gorge. At the end of the trail head downstream a short distance to link with the Gorge Hike.
Old Coach Link (From Gate 1, 3km / From Gate 3 2.5km)
Navigate trail on Google Street View
Starting at Old Noarlunga, from either Gate 1 or 3, cross the river and head towards Old Coach Road Track. The middle section of this trail along Old Coach Road Track is very steep and is only suitable for those with good fitness and mountain biking experience. Starting at the top of the hill at Gate 29, the trail has gentle slopes and provides great views across Old Noarlunga and the Onkaparinga estuary.
Jump on your bike and feel the wind in your hair on the shared use trails in this park. It’s an enjoyable ride for the whole family.
Learn more about cycling in SA’s parks, including other parks offering cycle tracks, trail classification and read the trail user code of practice for important points to remember when planning your bike ride.
Easy
Punchbowl Lookout Trail (2km)
Navigate this trail on Google Street View
A short and easy trail for people of all abilities. Take it easy through the grey box woodland before heading out to the stunning Punchbowl Lookout. If going around dawn or dusk, stay quiet and you might see mobs of grazing kangaroos.
Intermediate
Punchbowl Link Trail (6km)
Navigate this trail on Google Street View
This trail links the Sundews trail network with Punchbowl Lookout. You can return via the fire track to create a loop. The trail via the gorge passes through native bushland, with frequent gorge views.
Chapel Hill Lookout Loop (1.5km)
Navigate this trail on Google Street View
This grassy woodland area is being restored by the Friends of Onkaparinga Park. Enjoy the great views from the lookout. You’ll be able to see the river gorge below, and a diverse range of vegetation.
Advanced
Gorge Link Trail (3km one way)
Hike or ride through the park, crossing the river along the way. Please note that the river is impassable during wet periods. You’ll descend down the into the gorge before climbing back up. The fire track in and out of the gorge is very steep. Only for those with good fitness and riders with downhill experience.
Old Coach Link Trail (From Gate 1, 3 km one way / From Gate 3 2.5 km one way)
Navigate this trail on Google Street View
Starting at Old Noarlunga, from either Gate 1 or 3, cross the river and head towards Old Coach Road Track. The middle section of this trail along Old Coach Road Track is very steep and is only suitable for those with good fitness and mountain biking experience.
Starting at the top of the hill at Gate 29, the trail has gentle slopes and provides great views across Old Noarlunga and the Onkaparinga estuary.
Ride your horse along the Tom Roberts Trail which has been re-routed to pass through the park. The trail follows the park’s boundary track offering of uninterrupted views of the beautiful Onkaparinga Gorge. Riders can enter via two ‘step-overs’, or horse stiles, on Piggott Range Road.
Generally both cyclists and walkers give way to horses, and cyclists give way to walkers.
Pink Gum Campground
View campground on Google Street View
Situated at the eastern end of the park, this brand new campground has 11 campsites, including three that are suitable for caravans, a toilet, washing-up facilities and fire pits for use outside the fire ban season.
Check out your guide to camping at Onkaparinga River National Park for useful insider tips and inspiration.
Click through to the booking page for campsite descriptions, pictures and to secure a site.
Accessibility information
Most of the campsites are wheelchair accessible, they are on flat ground with a compacted gravel surface. The road slopes down to the toilets but is accessible by car. The toilet facilities are wheelchair accessible, with a 900mm door width and a fixed handrail alongside the toilet.
A rugged location featuring a gorge with cliffs up to 30 metres high and large permanent rock pools, it provides ample opportunities for rock climbing. There’s also a campground a short walk away, so why not make it an epic adventure weekend!
The rock climbing area is an 850 metre walk from the car park at Gate 15 on Chapel Hill Road. This is a popular location for both experienced and beginner climbers, with both top rope and lead climbing available.
Large (e.g. school) groups wishing to use the climbing zone are advised to call the Parks and Wildlife Office at Victor Harbor on (+61) 7133 7300 to ensure your needs can be best catered for.
Rock climbing and abseiling have the potential to be dangerous and care must be taken. It is recommended that you are suitably skilled in these activities or are guided by a qualified trainer.
Those intending to undertake these activities are reminded that they do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.
The reliability of any existing fixed protection (bolts, etc.) or rock surfaces is not guaranteed. Rock faces may have loose rocks that could fall. Climbers are reminded to take adequate safety precautions when undertaking these activities.
Use holdfasts to tie off in preference to trees. If trees must be used, please ensure tree protection is used.
Check out The Crag for specific information on rock climbing routes and grades.
The estuarine waters of the Recreation Park are a perfect environment for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Beginners will feel safe learning to paddle in the calm waters of the river between Main South Road and Commercial Road. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll love the scenery, as the river meanders through floodplains and wetlands on its way to the sea.
There is a brand new kayak and canoe launch at the Recreation Park main entrance at Perry’s Bend which includes steps and a ramp to enable you to safely slide your boat down to the water.
You’ll see all kinds of birdlife in the Onkaparinga River National Park, particularly if you take a few moments to be still. There is a diverse range of species that live in, or visit, the parks – many of conservation significance. Hunting birds, such as the peregrine falcon, scour the landscape in search of birds, small mammals and lizards. You’ll probably hear the yellow-tailed black cockatoo long before you see one, their raucous cries announce their presence well in advance.
Fishing is NOT permitted in Onkaparinga River National Park, however is permitted in the nearby Onkaparinga River Recreation Park.
Want to help?
To find out how you can help in this park or nearby, please visit Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges – Volunteering.
Want to join others and become a Park Friend?
To find out more about Friends of Parks groups please visit Friends of Parks South Australia.
You could join others to help look after a park. You can take part in working bees, training and other events.
Onkaparinga River National Park — a view from above
Justin Holmes presents Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Every national park is different, each has its own unique environment, it is important to be responsible while enjoying all the park has to offer.
Please ensure that you:
- leave your pets at home
- do not feed birds or other animals, it promotes aggressive behaviour and an unbalanced ecology
- do not bring generators (except where permitted), chainsaws or firearms into the park
- leave the park as you found it — there are no bins in national parks, please come prepared to take your rubbish with you.
- abide by the road rules (maintain the speed limit)
- respect geological and heritage sites
- do not remove native plants
- are considerate of other park users.
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
Can I have a fire or barbecue?
- Ensure you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.
- You must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited.
- Gas fires are permitted through the year, other than on days of total fire ban.
Closures and safety
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Please take care on the trails during winter. The river is deep and fast-flowing and should not be crossed. There are also occasional environmental flows released seasonally.
The international Trail Users Code of Conduct is to show respect and courtesy towards other trail users at all times.
Ensure that you:
- when hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
- be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
- make sure you have appropriate weather proof clothing
- carry enough water to be self-sufficient
- please be respectful of other users at all times
- stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety, and prevent the spread of declared weeds to other areas in the park
- ensure someone knows your approximate location and expected time of return
- take appropriate maps.
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
When camping in a National Park, it’s important to remember the following:
- Always let someone responsible know your travel plans, especially when travelling in remote areas. It’s a good idea to let them know when you expect to return.
- Check the weather forecast before you leave, including overnight temperatures on the Bureau of Meteorology. Even during very mild weather, the nights can get very cold.
- The quality and quantity of water cannot be guaranteed within parks. Please bring plenty of water and food to be self-sufficient.
- Always camp in designated sites (where applicable) — do not camp beneath trees with overhanging branches, as they can drop without warning. It’s also a good idea to check that there are no insect nests nearby.
- Check to make sure you’re not camping in a natural waterway, flash floods can happen anytime.
- If camp fires are permitted, you must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Extinguish your camp fire with water (not sand or dirt) until the hissing sound stops.
- Ensure that you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.
Please be aware:
- Rock climbing and abseiling have the potential to be dangerous and care must be taken.
- That if you do not have the skills required, please ensure you are guided by a qualified trainer.
- If you are planning a rock climbing or abseiling trip please be aware that you do so at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety.
- The reliability of any existing fixed protection (bolts, etc.) or rock surfaces is not guaranteed.
- Rock faces may have loose rocks that could fall.
- Climbers are reminded to take adequate safety precautions.
If you want to learn more about rock climbing, why not connect with like-minded people in the Climbing Club of South Australia.
Trail Users Code of Practice
To protect the surrounding environment and to ensure the safety of all riders and shared trail users, please be aware of the international Trail Users Code of Practice when using shared trails. Important points to remember include:
- plan your ride
- comply with all signs
- ride only on formed tracks/trails
- share the trail — obey give way rules
- avoid riding in wet, muddy conditions
- ride lightly and leave no trace or rubbish
- control your bike within your limits
- clean your bike to avoid the spread of weeds or plant diseases
- carry sufficient food and drinking water
- respect the rights of others
- tell others about the code
Walking maps
- Onkaparinga River National Park and Recreation Park map (pdf)
- Onkaparinga River National Park east map (pdf)
- Onkaparinga River National Park west map (pdf)
Mountain biking and horse riding maps
- Onkaparinga River National Park and Recreation Park — cycling map (pdf)
- Onkaparinga River National Park east map — cycling map (pdf)
- Onkaparinga River National Park west map — cycling map (pdf)
Rock climbing zone map
Campground map
Maps on your mobile
If you have a smartphone or tablet you can download the free Avenza Map app and have interactive national park maps on hand when you need them.
The app uses your device’s built-in GPS to plot your real-time location within the park onto a map. The app can be used without a network connection and without roaming charges. You can also measure area and distance, plot photos and drop placemark pins.
How to get it working on your device:
1. Download the Avenza Maps app from the app store (iOS/Android) whilst you are still in range (its free!).
2. Open up the app and click the shopping cart icon.
3. Click ‘Find’ and type the name of the national park or reserve you are looking for.
4. Click on the map you are after and install it (all our maps are free).
5. You will now find a list of your installed maps on the home page of the Avenza Maps app.
6. Use our maps through the Avenza Mapa app while in the park and never take a wrong turn again.
Google Street View
Want to explore a trail before you leave home or use Google Maps to navigate straight from your door to the trailhead?
We’ve worked with Google to film more than 600km of walking trails, park roads, campgrounds and waterways in some of our most beautiful places. Click to see what the parks offer and the available facilities before you go. This is an especially great tool if you have accessibility needs, are visiting with people of varying ages or fitness levels or are pushing a pram and want to view a trail before leaving home.
You can start exploring this park on Google Street View using the links below.
Campgrounds
Shared use trails (walking and mountain biking)
- Chapel Hill Lookout loop
- Old Coach Link trail
- Punchbowl Link trail
- Punchbowl Lookout trail
- Rock climbing area trail
Walking trails
Vehicle entry to this park is free, however fees apply for camping.
Campsites need to be booked prior to arrival.
Click through to the online booking page for more details about individual campgrounds and fees.
Book online
Book online to reserve your campsite up to 12 months in advance.
Where can I book and pay in person?
If you are unable to book and pay online you can do so, in person, at these booking agents across the state.
For online bookings enquiries please email:
There are no other fees or permits associated with this park.
