Deep Creek upgraded to national park in 2021; walks with nature on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula

Deep Creek National Park on Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, offered walks with coastal views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.

Deep Creek National Park was proclaimed in 2021, upgraded from a conservation park south of Adelaide on the southern coast of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula at Deep Creek and Delamere, about 11 kilometres east of Cape Jervis.

The park was the largest portion of remaining natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and ihome to native wildlife, including western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas and around 100 species of birds. The park’s 18 kilometres of coastline included viewa across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.The gullies of its rolling coastal hills contained orchids and ferns, while the hilltops had stunted scrub and low windswept trees. In 1980, the park was listed on the later-defunct register of the national estate.

The many walks in the park ranged from easy through to moderate and hard hikes. Overnight treks were also possible by linking walks.

Easy walks were:
        •Stringybark loop: An easy 20-minute nature trail through stringybark and yacca-bush forest>
        • Forest Circuit: An easy walk through the forest near Stringybark campground.
         • Spring wildflower: Follows fire trails from stringybark campground.

Moderate hikes were:
         •Deep Creek waterfall from Tent Rock Road: Descends steeply to the Deep Creek Waterfall. Well maintained with steps in steeper sections. The return walk  mostly uphill.
          • Deep Creek Cove from Trig Camping Area: Descends moderately to Deep Creek Cove. The return is a long moderate ascent.
          • Aaron Creek Circuit Hike:  Crosses open areas at the higher sections of the conservation park before descending toward Eagle waterhole campground, with plenty of western grey kangaroos.

Hard hikes were:
          • Deep Creek Cove from Tapanappa Lookout:  spectacular and challenging involving some steep hills and scrambling in some places. Hiking boots required, with steep and slippery sections close to cliff edges.
          • Blowhole Beach: Descends to Blowhole Beach from Cobbler Hill. Could be windy. The track is not especially rough but the return ascent long and steep.
          • Deep Creek Waterfall from Tapanappa Lookout:  Spectacular and challenging hike with some long and steep undulations. Goes right into the dense Deep Creek vegetation.
           • Aaron Creek: Follows the creek to the coast, many creek crossings involved, and stunning views.

The Heysen Trail entered the park near Blowhole Beach, not far from its starting point at Cape Jervis. It traverses the conservation park via Eagle Waterhole, Trig Ccampground, and Deep Creek waterfall, and exited at Boat Harbour beach before continuing to Tunkalilla Beach..

The park’s five camping areas were Stringybark, Trig, Tapanappa, Cobbler Hill and Eagle Waterhole: