SOUTH AUSTRALIA (VK5)
South Australia (abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent. With a total land area of 983,482 square kilometres (379,725 sq mi), it is the fourth largest of Australia's states and territories.

The capital city is Adelaide.


About 1/5th of the State is conserved in various types of Parks.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA FAUNA EMBLEM.


Hairy nose wombat
SOUTH AUSTRALIA FLORA EMBLEM.


​Sturt Desert Pea
SOUTH AUSTRALIA STATE FLAG.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA COAT OF ARMS.
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE.
South Australia's Parks come under the control of the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
More information can be found on their website at..........
​www.parks.sa.gov.au/
TYPES OF PARKS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
South Australia has eight different types of parks.......

  • National Parks (NP)
    • Areas considered to be of national significance due to wildlife, natural features of the land, or Aboriginal or European heritage.
  • Conservation Parks (CP)
    • Areas protected for the purpose of conserving wildlife or the natural or historic features of the land.
  • Game Reserves (GR)
    • Areas set aside for conservation of woildlife and the management of game for seasonal hunting
  • Forest Reserve
  • Recreation Parks (RP)
    • Areas managed for public recreation and enjoyment in a natural setting.
  • Regional Reserves (RR)
    • Areas proclaims for the purpose of conserving wildlife or natural or historical features while allowing responsible use of the area's natural resources.
  • Wilderness Protection Areas (WPA)
    • Land set aside under the Wilderness Protection Act 1992 to protect natural and remote areas.
  • Conservation Reserves (CR)
    • Land set aside for conservation of natural and cultural features under the Crown Land Management Act 2009.
  • Marine Parks (MP)
    • Areas set aside to preserve the biological diversity of the state's coastal, estuarine and marine environments while allowing ecologically sustainable use of the area's natural resources.

Additionally you may see reference to........
  • Indigeneous Protected Areas
  • Native Forest Reserves
  • Protected zones for Historic Shipwreck sites
  • Aquatic Reserves.
  • 'Important Bird Areas'
  • Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites that re recognised as internationally important for bird conservation and known to support key bird species.  In a partnership project funded by Rio Tinto, between 2005 and 2009 Birds Australia identified and slected Australia's IBA's.  Three hundred and fourteen IBAs have been identified across Australia.  There are a total of 38 IBA's in South Australia, covering 7 % of South Australia.
QUALIFYING PARKS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
There are currently 396 parks in South Australia which qualify for WWFF.

They consist of:-

  • 270 x Conservation Parks
  • 28 x National Parks
  • 20 x Conservation Reserves
  • 20 x Marine Parks
  • 14 x Wilderness Protection Areas
  • 13 x Native Forest Reserves
  • 13 x Recreation Parks
  • 10 x Game Reserves  
  • ​6 x Regional Reserves
  • Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
  • Flinders Island Important Bird Area. 
EXTRA INFORMATION.
  • Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park VKFF-3191 was gazetted on 17th June 2021.
  • Cape Torrens Wilderness Protection area - was formerly known as the Cape Torrens Conservation Park (changed 1993)
  • Cleland National Park VKFF-3185 was gazetted on 25 November 2021.  It was previously known as the Cleland Conservation Park VKFF -0778 which is now deleted.
  • Deep Creek National Park VKFF-3186 was gazetted on 25 November 2021.  It was previously known as the Deep Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0780 which is now deleted.
  • Flinders Island - recorded as an Important Bird Area.  It is unclear why Flinders Island was exclusively chosen for the original list.  There are a total of 38 'Important Bird Areas' in South Australia.
  • Hambidge Wilderness Protection Area - was previously known as the Hambidge Conservation Park (changed September 2004).
  • Hindmarsh Valley National Park VKFF-3190 was gazetted on 16th December 2021.
  • Lake Frome National Park VKFF-3187 was gazetted on 25 November 2021.​  It was previously known as the Lake Frome Regional Reserve VKFF-1720 which is now deleted.
  • Laura Bay Conservation Park VKFF-1722 - has been deleted.  This park was dedicated on 11 November 1993 and was added to the Laura Bay Conservation Park on 10 July 2014.
  • Leseueur Conservation Park - formerly called the Cape Hart Conservation Park (name changed in March 2002)
  • Malkumba-Coongie Lakes NP - the name was changed on 21 Aug 2014 from Coongie Lakes NP
  • Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park VKFF-3188 was gazetted on 25 November 2021.  It contains the former Simpson Desert Conservation Park VKFF-1099 and the Simpson Desert Regional Reserve VKFF-1745, both of which are now deleted.
  • Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve is located on land adjoining the Port River and including a bay named Mutton Cove in the suburb of Osborne in the Adelaide metropolitan area.  Its existence is mentioned in various documents published by official sources in South Australia.  However, as of April 2017, the conservation reserve has not been gazetted, although the bay known as Mutton Cove is located within the boundaries of the protected area known as the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (wikipedia 2017).
  • Ngarkat Conservation Park:  is now one large park.  It formerly included the Mount Rescue Conservation Park, the Mount Shaugh Conservation Park, and the Scorpion Springs Conservation Park.
  • Nurragi Conservation Reserve, a private protected area located in the localities of Milang, Nurragi and Sandergrove and owned by the National Trust of South Australia (wikipedia 2017)
  • Para Wirra Recreation Park VKFF-1739 - was proclaimed a Conservation Park on 19th May 2016
  • Port Gawler Conservation Park VKFF-0786:  the park was abolished on 8 August 2017 and its land holding was transferred to the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara
  • Spaniards Gully Conservation Park (CP) was formerly known as the Spaniards Gully Native Forest Reserve.  Gazetted as a CP on 5th December 2017.
  • Tennyson Dunes Conservation Reserve is located on land in the suburb of Tennyson in the Adelaide metropolitan area and which was reported as being dedicated as a conservation reserve by Ian Hunter, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, on 13 September 2015. However, as of December 2016, the conservation reserve has not been gazetted (wikipedia 2017).
  • Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park VKFF- was formerly known simply as Gammon Ranges National Park.
  • Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-3189 was gazetted on 25 November 2021.  The former Telowie Gorge Conservation Park VKFF-1105 is contained within this new park, and is now deleted.
  • Wirrabara Range Conservation Park was formerly known as the Wirrabara Range Native Forest Reserve.  Gazetted as a CP on 5th December 2017.
FORMER VK5 REFERENCE AREAS.
  • Cleland Conservation Park VKFF-0778 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now known as the Cleland National Park VKFF-3185.
  • Deep Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0780 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now known as the Deep Creek National Park VKFF-3186.
  • Ediacara Conservation Park VKFF-1027 - ​now Nilpena Ediacara National Park VKFF-3179. 
  • Eurilla Conservation Park VKFF-0878 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of the Cleland National Park VKFF-3185.
  • Lake Frome Regional Reserve VKFF-1720 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now known as the Lake Frome National Park VKFF-3187.
  • Laura Bay Conservation Reserve VKFF-1722 was abolished on 10 July 2014 and became par tof the Laura Bay Conservation Park VKFF-1048.
  • O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park, VKFF-1737 was abolished on 28 May 2020 and is now part of the Glenthorne National Park VKFF-3027.
  • Port Gawler Conservation Park VKFF-0786 - ​this park was abolished on 8th August 2017, and became part of the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park.
  • Simpson Desert Conservation Park VKFF-1099 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park VKFF-3188.
  • Simpson Desert Regional Reserve VKFF-1745 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park VKFF-3188.
  • Spaniards Gully Conservation Park VKFF-2251 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-3189.
  • Telowie Gorge Conservation Park VKFF-1105 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of the Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-3189.
  • Wirrabara Range Conservation Park VKFF-2252 was abolished on 25 Nov 2021.  It is now part of the Wapma Thura - Southern Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-3189.
WWFF HISTORY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
15th June 2022:
​
The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Cleland National Park VKFF-3185
  2. Deep Creek National Park VKFF-3186
  3. Lake Frome National Park VKFF-3187
  4. Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park VKFF-3188
  5. Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-3189
  6. Hindmarsh Valley National Park VKFF-3190
  7. Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park
13th August 2021:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Nilpena Ediacara National Park VKFF-3179
21st June 2020:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Glenthorne Ityamaiitpinna National Park VKFF-3027
19th April 2019:
​
The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

1.   Little Mount Crawford Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2884
2.   Tower Hill Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2885
3.   Watts Gully Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2886
4.   Kersbrook Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2887
5.   Mount Gawler Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2888
6.   Cudlee Creek Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2889
7.   Coralinga Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2890
8.   Mount Panorama Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2891
9.   Knott Hill Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2892
10.  Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2893
11.  Kalumunda Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2894
12.  Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895
13.  Congeratinga Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2896
3rd August 2018:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary VKFF-1880
31st December 2017:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Thidna Conservation Park VKFF-2250
11th August 2017:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Nurragi Conservation Reserve VKFF-2247
7th August 2017:

The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve VKFF-2246
  2. Tennyson Dunes Conservation Park VLFF-2248
8th July 2017:

The following 2 parks were added to the WWFF Directory:
​
  1. Bon Bon Station Conservation Reserve VKFF-1769
  2. Boolcoomatta Conservation Reserve VKFF-1770
13th April 2017:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Lawari Conservation Park VKFF-1767
1st December 2016:

The following park was added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary VKFF-1766
18th October 2016:

The following 2 new gazetted parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park VKFF-1763
  2. ​Kinchina Conservation Park VKFF-1764

3rd October 2016:

The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Nullabor Regional Reserve, VKFF-1733
  2. ​Nullabor Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1734
25th September 2016:

The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. ​Anstey Hill Recreation Park, VKFF-1683
  2. Bernouilli Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1684
  3. Billiatt Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1685
  4. Blackwood Forest Recreation Park, VKFF-1686
  5. Bool Lagoon Game Reserve, VKFF-1687
  6. Brownhill Creek Recreation Park, VKFF-1688
  7. Buckleboo Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1689
  8. Bucks Lake Game Reserve, VKFF-1690
  9. Bunbury Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1691
  10. Bunkers Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1692
  11. Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1693
  12. Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Proection Area, VKFF-1694
  13. Cape Torrens Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1695
  14. Caratoola Recreation Park, VKFF-1696
  15. Chowilla Game Reserve, VKFF-1697
  16. Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
  17. Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, VKFF-1699
  18. Cortlinye Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1700
  19. Cox Scrub Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1701
  20. Cunyarie Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1702
  21. Currency Creek Game Reserve, VKFF-1703
  22. Danggali Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1704
  23. Desert Camp Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1705
  24. Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park, VKFF-1706
  25. Encounter Marine Park, VKFF-1707
  26. Far West Coast Marine Park, VKFF-1708
  27. Franklin Harbor Marine Park, VKFF-1709
  28. Gambier Islands Marine Park, VKFF-1710
  29. Granite Island Recreation Park, VKFF-1711
  30. Great Australian Bight Marine Park, VKFF-214
  31. Greenhill Recreation Park, VKFF-1712
  32. Hambidge Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1713
  33. Hardings Springs Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1714
  34. Hincks Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1715
  35. Innamincka Regional Reserve, VKFF-1716
  36. Investigator Marine Park, VKFF-1717
  37. Investigator Group Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1718
  38. Lacroma Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1719
  39. Lake Frome Regional Reserve, VKFF-1720
  40. Lake Robe Game Reserve, VKFF-1721
  41. Laura Bay Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1722
  42. Loch Luna Game Reserve, VKFF-1723
  43. Long Island Recreation Park, VKFF-1724
  44. Lower South East Marine Park, VKFF-1725
  45. Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park, VKFF-1726
  46. Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1727
  47. Moongi Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1728
  48. Moorook Game Reserve, VKFF-1729
  49. Mootra Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1730
  50. Mud Islands Game Reserve, VKFF-1731
  51. Neptune Islands Marine Park, VKFF-1732
  52. Nuyts Archipelago Marine Park, VKFF-1735
  53. Nuyts Archipelago Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1736
  54. O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park, VKFF-1737
  55. Onkaparinga River Recreation Park, VKFF-1738
  56. Para Wirra Recreation Park, VKFF-1739
  57. Pinkawillinie Reservoir Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1740
  58. Poocher Swamp Game Reserve, VKFF-1741
  59. Poolgarra Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1742
  60. Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1743
  61. Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, VKFF-1744
  62. Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, VKFF-1745
  63. Sir Joseph Banks Group Marine Park, VKFF-1746
  64. Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park, VKFF-1747
  65. Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park, VKFF-1748
  66. Strzelecki Regional Reserve, VKFF-1749
  67. Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, VKFF-1750
  68. Thorny Passage Marine Park, VKFF-1751
  69. Tolderol Game Reserve, VKFF-1752
  70. Tola Conservation Reserve, VKFF-1753
  71. Totness Recreation Park, VKFF-1754​
31st August 2016:

The following parks were added to the WWFF Directory:

  1. Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park, VKFF-1755
  2. Upper South East Marine Park, VKFF-1756
  3. Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park, VKFF-1757
  4. West Coast Bays Marine Park, VKFF-1758
  5. Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park, VKFF-1759
  6. Western River Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1760
  7. Yellabinna Regional Reserve, VKFF-1761
  8. Yellabinna Wilderness Protection Area, VKFF-1762
LOCATION SA MAP VIEWER.
Location SA Map Viewer is an excellent resource to find the location and boundary of South Australian parks.
https://location.sa.gov.au/viewer/
Click on 'Datasets' and then click on 'Environment & Climate" and in turn click on 'Environment'.

This will bring you to a number of options.  Click on either 'NPW and Conservation Properties' or 'NPW and Conservation Reserve Boundaries'.
MAP OF PROTECTED AREAS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Below is a map of all current South Australian parks and reserves under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, Wilderness Protection Act 1992 and Crown Land Management Act 2009.
protected_areas_of_south_australia_april_2022_optimised.pdf
File Size: 6189 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE ACT 1972
Current version.  Last modified 19th March 2021.
npw_act_sa.pdf
File Size: 1243 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
HERITAGE AGREMENTS.
heritage-agreements-frequently-asked-questions-gen.pdf
File Size: 2316 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
VIDEOS.

References.
​
  1. Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian Government, www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/science/capad/2018
  2. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, www.environment.sa.gov.au n& Wikipedia.
  3. Birdlife Australia, www.birdlife.org.au
  4. Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org