Reservoirs in South Australia to Visit with Kids

July 9, 2020

Reservoir Reserves open for public access in South Australia for a fun family day out.

Some of South Australia’s reservoirs are now much more accessible and feature scenic walking and cycling trails, or access for kayaking and fishing. Other reservoirs offer amazing views and picnic areas.

Many reservoirs are located within a one hour drive from Adelaide and are a great destination for a day trip. With more than just spectacular views on offer, getting back to nature at a reservoir reserve is an enjoyable family outing for all ages, and the best part – it’s completely free.

Read about what each reservoir has to offer below.

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve | Review

Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve offers lots of recreational family fun. After 120 years, they’ve finally opened the gates to Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve, and it’s one to put on your must visit list in SA. Review by Brooke Hendry Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve is located only 35 minutes from the ...

Mount Bold Reservoir | New Recreational Activities

Mount Bold Reservoir The new trails, lookout and viewing platform are now open to the public at Mount Bold Reservoir. Mount Bold, the largest reservoir in South Australia, is about 45 minutes drive south of Adelaide. The reservoir is surrounded by more than 5,500 ha of land, including three Trees ...

Myponga Reservoir | Walking Trails, Bike Tracks, Fishing & Kayaking

Enjoy, Explore, Preserve at Myponga Reservoir Myponga Reservoir on-water access for kayaking available from 28 March 2021. In April 2019, Myponga Reservoir Reserve became ours to enjoy with access for land-based recreational activities, which was then extended with an extra 3km of new trails. Shoreline fishing is also available with ...

Hope Valley Reservoir | Nature Trails & Adventure Play

Hope Valley Reservoir Hope Valley Reservoir in Adelaide’s north east opened to the public for the first time in its 150-year history in 2020. Located in the heart of Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs, Hope Valley Reservoir was completed in 1873 to become Adelaide’s second reservoir, and is our oldest in ...

Whispering Wall – Barossa Reservoir | Williamstown | Review

Whispering Wall at Williamstown | Review Whispering Wall, otherwise known as the Barossa Reservoir, is approximately 1 hours drive from Adelaide in the Barossa Valley, near the township of Williamstown. Many Adelaideans will remember visiting this iconic destination as children mostly for the novelty value. The wall is aptly named ...

Mount Bold Reservoir Reserve | Review

Walking along the dam wall at Mount Bold Reservoir - Review After a moody spot to revel in while the weather cools? This amazing feat of engineering is one of Adelaide's best-kept secrets. by Carla Caruso There’s a spooky scene in Stan’s Hobart-shot thriller, The Gloaming, at a colossal concrete ...

South Para Reservoir

South Para is the second largest reservoir and offers a network of walking and mountain bike trails linking to Warren Reservoir Reserve and Williamstown. The area is also suitable for kayaking/canoeing and fishing along the shore or from your kayak.

Williamstown | map link

Warren Reservoir

Warren Reservoir has two trails within the reservoir reserve for walking and cycling. The 5.5km West Warren Loop and the 8.8km North Warren Loop.

The West Warren Loop also forms part of a link trail to South Para Reservoir Reserve, over a total 4.5km trail, while the North Warren Loop walk links into more than 20km of trails to take hikers through Mt Crawford Forest, adjacent South Para Reservoir and on to Para Wirra Conservation Park.

Fishing is allowed with a permit and there are two launch areas at Warren for kayaking and canoeing.

There is also a dam wall lookout only a short walk from the western car park and three picnic areas. One is fully accessible and has toilet facilities.

Warren Reservoir, Williamstown | map link

Bundaleer Reservoir

Bundaleer Reservoir Reserve is a 40-minute drive from Clare. There are 4.6km of unsealed trail loops around the reservoir suited to walking, running and cycling. Fishing is allowed with a permit and Kayaking and canoeing are also permitted. There are also several picnic areas along the Bundaleer loop trails.

Bundaleer Reservoir, Spalding | map link

Tod River Reservoir

The Tod River Reservoir is 27 km north of Port Lincoln and has a barbeque, tennis court and public toilets. While you’re there you can learn about the dam wall construction in the early 20th century and visit the lookout. There is also a picnic area and museum which tells the story of water services and SA Water in the local area and is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 4pm.

Tod River Reservoir, Port Lincoln | map link

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

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.

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