Cobbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha

Natural Resources Centre Gawler

T: 08 8523 7700

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is an oasis of calm in the suburbs. The park conserves one of Adelaide’s rare woodland habitats, and is also one of Adelaide’s popular mountain biking spots.

You can explore the open grasslands and woodlands of Cobbler Creek by bike and on foot, using the 17km network of shared-

use, sustainable trails. The purpose-built trails are perfect for beginner and intermediate riders, with a couple of sections that will

give even the most experienced of riders a thrill. Be mindful to respect all trail users.

The trails take you to peaceful River Red gum-lined creeks, ridge tops with panoramic city views, and woodlands echoing with

bird calls. You might see birds of prey like the Black-shouldered kite, and catch a glimpse of the Red-rumped Parrot as it flits

through the trees.

Cobbler Creek was named after a shoemaker (or a cobbler, as they were called then) who farmed the land in the late 1800s. You

can still see the ruins of his homestead ‘Trevalsa’ in the north-west of the park along with other relics of early colonial life.

Why not bring a picnic with you and take your dog for a walk on a lead along the trails in the park?

This is a natural bushland Park, so please bring your own water in, and take all your rubbish out.

Opening hours Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is open every day from sunrise to sunset (except Christmas Day). The park may be closed on days

of extreme fire danger, or for other park management reasons.

Getting there Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is just 19km north of Adelaide, between the suburbs of Salisbury and Golden Grove. The main

entry and car park is at the corner of Bridge and Smith Roads, Salisbury East. Access to both sides of the park can be found

either side of The Grove Way, but be mindful of traffic as you enter and leave.

You can get to Cobbler Creek via public transport, visit adelaidemetro.com.au.

Fees There are no fees to enter Cobbler Creek Recreation Park.

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha

Natural Resources Centre Gawler

T: 08 8523 7700

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

When to visit Cobbler Creek has something to offer almost all year round. In the autumn

the pink and white garland lilies bloom across the park, while in spring and

winter the park’s native grasses flourish and you should see lots of wildlife.

Riding and walking is perfect at any time when the trails are dry, but

please take care in extreme conditions like heat or rain. In wet weather

there is a risk of flooding upstream of the Cobbler Creek dam at the

western end of the park.

Traditional Owners This park, and surrounding hills is a significant place for the Kaurna people,

who historically used this area in winter as makeshift Wardli (shelter).

Many Kaurna yarta (land) family groups look after the Kaurna pangkara

(country), which stretched from the plains and hills south of Crystal Brook

and west of Mount Lofty, down to Cape Jervis.

While the Kaurna people sheltered in this area, they gathered and hunted

the necessities for survival to sustain their family groups including:

Mai (bush vegetables)

Pardu (bush meats from animals)

Mintirninthi (healing) and

Bush ‘textiles’ which were, used to make woven products for gathering

bush fruit and vegetables.

Go for a walk along the Mai Tappa Trail using the brochure to interpret the Kaurna ‘food pathway’, and learn about Kaurna

history and living culture.

Get involved No matter how well designed trails are, regular maintenance is important to keep them in good condition. Helping maintain the

trails can give you a real sense of stewardship, and park staff always appreciate help with trail improvement. By helping look

after the trails in the park, you’re giving back to the riding, bushwalking, the park and the community.

Cobbler Creek contains the largest remaining stand of the endangered Mallee Box Grassy Woodland on the Adelaide Plains,

making it an important conservation area. The park is also an important refuge for the many birds and animals living there. Park

staff are always grateful for help with keeping weeds at bay, and revegetation projects.

Please call our Gawler office on (+61 8) 8523 7700 to find out how to join a working group.

Things to see and do

Rangers recommend: Mixing it up on the bike trails, exploring the network of connected tracks until you find the perfect blend of challenge

and buzz.

Relaxing on one of the many benches you’ll find around the park, looking out over valleys, the city, and the sea.

Discovering the Mai Tappa hike. It’s for bushwalkers only and takes you through the Mallee box grassy woodland, past

stands of sheoak, down into a creek bed, across grassy plains, and past an old quarry.

Wildlife You’ll see all kinds of wildlife in Cobbler Creek, particularly if you take a few moments to be still. There are frogs and bats, and

reptiles such as the Eastern Bearded Dragon and White’s Skink. You might even spot a kangaroo.

Watch out for hunting birds such as the Australian Kestrel and Black-shouldered Kite, they scour the grasslands for mice and

lizards. Red-rumped Parrots can often be seen searching the ground for seeds, while red wattlebirds and lorikeets feed on the

nectar of the flowering gums.

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha

Natural Resources Centre Gawler

T: 08 8523 7700

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

Mountain biking and walking The park’s designated trails are suggested routes only. Create your own route by mixing the designated trails with the connector

tracks (see park map). Please obey signs, particularly where hiking or cycling is not permitted. Most of these trails are shared, so

always keep an eye out for others. Generally cyclists give way to foot traffic, please be considerate of all trail users at all times.

Bushwalking

classification

Mountain bike

classification

Easy walk

A walk is accessible to

people of all ages and

fitness levels. These are

well defined trails,

generally less than 3km

in length, with even

surfaces.

Easy trail

Suitable for children and

novices with basic skill

and fitness levels.

Relatively short trails

with gentle grades,

generally obstacle free.

Beginners’ circuit. An easy trail for children learning to ride. 150m

Easy-Does-It circuit. Another easy trail, designed to help

children become familiar with minor undulations.

250m

KARNARFA circuit. For riders taking the next step to riding in

natural areas. This trail features a gravel surface with many

easy (but optional) trail obstacles and features. Try this trail

before venturing onto the intermediate trails in the wider park.

1.5km

Moderate hike

A moderate hike is

suitable for people

with an average level of

fitness. These trails can

be any length and may

include moderate

inclines and irregular

surfaces.

No biking

Mai Tappa Circuit. An interesting hike through varying

vegetation including grasslands, endangered Mallee Box

Grassy Woodland and Drooping Sheoak. Descend into gullies

to walk along a creek line then climb hills for views over the

Adelaide plains. This hike is walking only – no bikes permitted.

Take a copy of the Mai Tappa brochure with you which can be

downloaded from the Cobbler Creek Conservation Park page

2.2km

Hard hike

A hard hike requires

some hiking experience

and a reasonable fitness

level. Some sections of

the trail can be quite

steep and uneven.

Intermediate trail

Suitable for those with

moderate skill and

fitness levels. Short to

medium distance trails,

usually a combination

of single trails and/or

fire roads with a

variable surface.

Moderate slopes

and obstacles.

Porosa Hike. This trail cuts a tranquil path through the valley

of Cobbler Creek. There are moderate climbs through sections

of Mallee Box Grassy Woodland where you should see lots of

birds. Great views of the Adelaide Hills and surrounding plains

from the hilltop near Teakles Ruin. This trail is best suited to

hikers. A section of this hike (north of Cobbler Creek) is

walking only, there is an alternative cycling trail south of

Cobbler Creek. Please obey the signs.

3km

Valley Circuit. The Valley Circuit takes you to some of the

more remote areas of the park. Recommended for the

experienced hiker and the mountain bike rider seeking

adventure.

4km

Ruins Loop. This is the fun way to explore the ruins in the

park. Ride in a clockwise direction to enjoy the exciting

descent back down the hill.

3km

Babbler Loop. You’ll climb to the top of the park through rare

Mallee Box Grassy Woodland, weeping pittosporum and

Christmas Bush. Great views of Salisbury and the Adelaide

Plains.

3km

Short and Sweet. An exciting trail with lots of challenges and

features for the experienced mountain bike rider.

1.7km

No walking

Advanced trail

Challenging trail

requiring high levels

of skill, fitness and

endurance. Very steep

sections and many

obstacles.

A short section of connecting track in the south-east of the

park is classified as an Advanced trail.

On the park map this track is marked by a black diamond at

each end ♦…♦

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha

Natural Resources Centre Gawler

T: 08 8523 7700

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

Know before you go Every national park is different. Each has its own

challenging environment and it is important to

understand how to stay safe while enjoying all the park

has to offer. Please:

keep your dog on a short lead at all times

do not feed birds or other animals, it promotes

aggressive behaviour and an unbalanced

ecology

do not bring generators, chainsaws or firearms

into the park

leave the park as you found it, take your

rubbish with you

abide by the rules and keep to defined trails

and tracks

respect geological and heritage sites

do not remove native plants

be considerate of other park users.

Fire safety This park may be closed on days of extreme

fire danger. Listen to your local radio station

for broadcasts, or call the CFS Hotline on

1300 362 361.

Wood fires, solid fuel fires and gas fires are

prohibited at all times.

Biking and walking safety Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen.

Make sure you have appropriate wet weather clothing, and be aware that trails can flood after heavy rainfall.

There is no drinking water in the park so carry enough to be self-sufficient.

Most of the trails in this park are shared use, please be respectful of other users at all times.

Stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety, but also to prevent the spread of declared

weeds to other areas in the park.

Mobile phone coverage Mobile phone coverage can be patchy and unreliable in national parks, especially if you are in a low-lying area (such as a gorge

or gully). To get a signal you may have to walk or drive to one of the higher areas in the park.

Pest plants Coolatai Grass is a declared weed that is quite widespread in Cobbler Creek Recreation Park and it invades and replaces native

vegetation. It grows in dense clumps and can be a serious fire hazard. Coolatai drops hundreds of seeds that spread easily and

can be carried on shoes, in dog fur and in the grooves of bicycle tyres. You

can help us to minimise the spread of this grass by:

staying on designated trails

checking your shoes, tyres and dog’s fur while you’re in and before

you leave the park and removing any seeds that you find

Friends of Cobbler Creek The Friends of Cobbler Creek is a community-based group of volunteers

who work to protect and develop the natural and cultural heritage in the

park. Find them at communitywebs.org/friendsofcobblercreek.

Learn more about volunteering in parks at parks.sa.gov.au.

Contact

Emergency: 000

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park

(+61 8) 8523 7700

General park enquiries: (+61 8) 8204 1910

DEWNR.CustomerServiceCentre@sa.gov.au

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