Cleland National Park (Ityamaiitpinna Yarta)

Cleland National Park – also known by its Kaurna name Ityamaiitpinna Yarta – is a large conservation area in the Adelaide Hills, just 20 minutes from the city, offering a peaceful bushland escape and some of Adelaide’s top nature attractions. The park encompasses the forested slopes around Mount Lofty (Adelaide’s highest peak at 727 m). In fact, Mount Lofty Summit lies within Cleland NP and is a major drawcard: visitors can drive or hike to the summit lookout to enjoy panoramic views over Adelaide’s skyline, Gulf St Vincent and the patchwork of suburbs below. A café and visitor information centre at the summit provides a perfect rest stop after the climb, and orientation signs help identify landmarks in the sweeping vista.

Cleland National Park protects vital habitat for native wildlife right on the city’s doorstep. It’s common to encounter koalas dozing in the fork of a eucalyptus tree or see western grey kangaroos grazing in clearings at dusk. The park’s thick woodlands and stringybark forests are also home to echidnas, possums, bandicoots, and over 100 bird species (listen for kookaburras, honking geese from nearby Waterfall Gully, and the calls of rainbow lorikeets). There are many walking trails crisscrossing the park, ranging from the steep Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit Trail (a popular 4 km hike that climbs past waterfalls through fern-filled gullies to the summit) to gentler loops like the Cleland Valley and Wood Duck Walks near the main carpark. Mountain bikers also have shared-use and specific MTB trails, including parts of the Pioneer Women’s Trail and Heysen Trail that traverse sections of the park.

Within Cleland NP is the famous Cleland Wildlife Park, a fenced sanctuary and visitor attraction where you can walk among free-roaming kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and get up-close with koalas (including holding a koala for a photo). While Cleland Wildlife Park (established 1967) requires an entry fee, the surrounding national park is free to enter. The wildlife park has additional amenities like a café, gift shop, educational talks and toilets, and is a highlight for families and international visitors to experience Australian animals in a natural setting.

Facilities in the national park: Cleland is more of a conservation area with minimal built facilities outside the summit and wildlife park precincts. At Mount Lofty Summit you’ll find parking (including overflow lots for busy days), toilets, a visitor info centre, a restaurant/café, and lookouts with interpretive panels. There are also picnic tables and benches scattered at trailheads and a small picnic area at Waterfall Gully. No public BBQs or playgrounds are provided in the national park section. Several trailheads (Waterfall Gully, Cleland Wildlife Park, Eagle on the Hill) have parking areas and trail information boards. Note that dogs are not allowed in Cleland National Park (even on leash) to protect wildlife.

Access: The main entrance to Cleland NP is via Cleland Conservation Park entry/parking off Mount Lofty Summit Road, about 19 km (30 minutes) from Adelaide CBD. Many visitors also enter by Waterfall Gully (9 km from CBD), hiking up the popular trail to Mount Lofty. There’s also an entrance near Eagle on the Hill (old freeway) for other trails. Public transport can get you near the park (e.g. buses to Crafers then a short taxi or hike). Inside the park, trails are well-marked, but prepare for steep terrain if walking to the summit – bring water and good footwear.

Cleland National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers wanting to experience Adelaide’s bushland backyard. Whether you’re conquering the hike to Mount Lofty’s summit, spotting wild koalas along quiet trails, or visiting the wildlife park to feed a kangaroo, Cleland offers an authentic Australian nature experience within easy reach of the city.