Parts of the Park Have Lush Green Vegetation
Mount George Conservation Park is perhaps one of the less accessible parks in Adelaide's metropolitan area, but it rewards its visitors with some splendid scenery in the Adelaide Hills.
Mount George Conservation Park Entrance
Situated near Bridgewater, the park borders the South Eastern Freeway and is accessible by car via the narrow unsealed Mount George Road. Dogs are permitted in the park on leash only in the area between Cox Creek and the road, where there is also a car park, shelter and picnic tables. There are no toilets or other facilities, but entry to the park is free.
The Tunnel Under the Freeway is Decorated With Street Art
A path follows the creek south from the car park through an open area to a tunnel under the freeway, and from there back to Bridgewater. The tunnel area is clearly popular with the local
street artists, with most of the bare and gloomy concrete walls painted over.
A Small Dam is Home to Water Birds
In this part of the park there is always a background rumble of freeway traffic, but there is a small dam and plenty of trees and other vegetation to add interest to the walk. While cycling isn't permitted in Mount George Conservation Park, I did see one cyclist passing through.
A Bridge Leads to the Conservation Zone
Crossing a bridge over the creek takes you into a much more heavily vegetated area, with some blackberries present too. Trail markers for the
Heysen Trail and the
Pioneer Womens Trail are clearly visible, and more information about them is available online. A sign for the Cox Creek Rehabilitation Project details what is being done to protect the Creek environment for native animals and plants, and what you can do to help.
A Handy Map of the Heysen Trail
Another bridge leads to a Heysen Trail map and the area where dogs are prohibited. From here the trail narrows and becomes a little more hilly, passing through lush green undergrowth and tall eucalypts. A lot more bird life was around, and the countryside was very pretty, although I could still hear some freeway noise in this area.
An Attractive Flowering Pea Plant
I thought this area was one of the most attractive parks I have visited so far - green despite being late in spring. It made me wonder what I have missed in not exploring the Heysen Trail further. Unfortunately I wasn't prepared to travel far that day, with little water and less than ideal shoes. But it did give me a taste of the hidden beauty I might find further into the Mount George Conservation Park, and I'll leave it for you to decide whether my photos truly do it justice.
The Heysen Trail Meanders Through This Attractive Park
The
National Parks web page for this park mentions a good variety of native flora and fauna can be found - even native orchids and wedge tailed eagles. I'll definitely come here again, but next time the dog will have to remain at home so that I can explore the best bit of the Adelaide Hills scenery.
Colourful Birds in the Treetops
