All these Conservation Parks have bushwalking trails and camping is allowed. For Access Conditions, times and permits please contact Department of Environment and Heritage Information line (08) 8204 1910. For more information visit the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage.

Karte Conservation Park

Karte (pronounced Kartee) Conservation Park is located 30 km north-west of Pinnaroo. The word Karte is an Aboriginal word meaning thick, low scrub. The park protects 3565 hectares of mallee vegetation, primarily to provide habitat for the threatened Malleefowl.

In 1988, Pinnaroo Area School students, as part of a Bicentennial Project, constructed a walking trail. The Friends of Southern Mallee Parks adopted the trail and now help to maintain it.

Starting from the picnic area, this trail forms a 1.5 km loop and takes about 45 minutes to complete. There are some steep sections that require a reasonable level of fitness. Take time to read the signs along the trail that explain a little about the importance of the vegetation in the area. There are picnic facilities and camp sites located near the start of the trail.

Throughout the park there are a series of steep sand dunes rising up to forty metres. During the early part of the twentieth century much of the land in the area was cleared for agriculture. The area that is now Karte Conservation Park was left uncleared as the sand dunes were unsuitable for agriculture. As you follow the walking trail, you will be rewarded with views of the surrounding district. There are a number of smaller, isolated dunes with the original vegetation still present. This vegetation has been left to avoid erosion and loss of agricultural land.

The vegetation in the park provides habitat for the endangered Mallee Whipbird, and a number of rare orchids. More than forty species of bird call this park home.

For Access Conditions, times and permits

Department of Environment and Heritage Information
(08) 8204 1910 ~ website