Morialta Conservation Park Review

Morialta Conservation Park provides a family friendly bushwalking experience just 20 minutes from Adelaide.

One of our family’s favourite natural attractions, Morialta is the perfect spot to set out with the kids to explore amongst the trees and creek beds.  From the Morialta Road entrance the walk is only about 800 metres to the Morialta Falls car park precinct.  Perfect for little ones and pet friendly, the walk takes in the beautiful bush setting including an assortment of trees, plants and wildlife without veering too far from the road.

Morialta Conservation Park contains over 500 hectares and includes spectacular rugged ridges, seasonal waterfalls and beautiful gully scenery.  A public reserve since 1915, the Morialta Gorge and the three waterfalls along Fourth Creek are connected by an assortment of walking trails ranging in difficulty from an easy stroll through to rock climbing.

The walk from the park’s entrance is suitable for all ages as it is relatively flat, plus you can easily push a pram along the trail.  It is very dry here in summer, so be prepared to be sun smart and remember to bring water.

Morialta is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, but if you visit the park during winter or spring when the rainfall is higher, the creek fills with water and the wildlife explodes.  The park’s rock pools and creeks are home to small reptiles, frogs and birds.

Morialta Conservation Park is dog-friendly

For families with dogs this is a great spot to walk away from the traffic on main roads.  You are allowed to walk dogs from the Morialta picnic area, along the Morialta Falls Road all the way to Morialta’s First Falls car park.  Dogs must be on a lead and walked along the sealed entrance road to the First Falls car park or within the grassy picnic area off Stradbroke Road.  Dogs are not allowed in other areas of the park or beyond the First Falls carpark.

Once you reach the First Falls car park you can take a break before turning back.  There are timber seats, rock walls and shady trees.  You will also find signage with a host of information if you plan to explore further.  There are maps and information on the various trail options including the difficulty and how long it is likely to take.  This is a fantastic place to take visitors from interstate or overseas.  For those with older children who are prepared to hike you may like to plan a trip further into the park.

Morialta Nature Playspace

While you are visiting Morialta Conservation Park, stop at this amazing nature playspace for the kids.

Koala spotting at Morialta Conservation Park

On each of our trips to Morialta Conservation Park we have always spotted no less than a dozen or so koalas up in the trees.  They can be curled up near the trunk of a tree or sitting way up on the end of a large branch.  They will usually be sleeping or sometimes looking down at you with curious eyes.  We always play a game to see who can spot them first!

Geocaching at Morialta Conservation Park

Morialta is also a great place to do a spot of geocaching. To find out more about geocaching read our review here.

Editor’s Note: we managed to find 2 on our visit on 16 August 2015; up near the cave and also up Woodforde track (in the dog).

Getting to Morialta Conservation Park

Morialta Conservation Park is located just 10km north east of Adelaide.  Free car parking is available at the Stradbroke Road and Resource Centre car parks. A parking fee applies if you drive through to the First Falls car park at the end of Morialta Road.  If you are on foot you can access the park from sunrise to sunset.  Remember all car parks in Morialta Conservation Park are closed 15 minutes prior to sunset, so be sure to make it back to your car in time to leave.

There are toilets (inc disabled), picnic areas, barbecue facilities and a playground located within the park at the entrance to Morialta Falls Road.  The walking trail from here to the First Falls car park is around 800 metres and suitable for wheelchairs, prams and strollers.

Gates are closed on Christmas Day and the park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger.

For more information and all enquiries please visit the National Park SA website.

What:  Morialta Conservation Park

When:  All Year

Where:  Morialta Falls Road, Woodforde (see map)

Who:  All Ages

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.