Padthaway Conservation Park
| Location | Padthaway Conservation Park, Limestone Coast |
| Start/End Point | Beeamma-Parsons Road, Padthaway SA |
| Distance | 3.06 km circuit |
| Time | Approximately 80 minutes |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Activity | Walking |
| Region | Limestone Coast |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Connecting Trails | Orchid Track, Banksia Loop |
Deeper Into the Ancient Dune Forest
If the Banksia Loop at Padthaway Conservation Park is an introduction to this remarkable remnant woodland, the Currawong Loop is the deeper conversation. Named for the grey currawong — a vocal, intelligent bird whose distinctive call echoes through the eucalyptus canopy — this 3-kilometre circuit extends the walking experience into less-visited sections of the park where the ancient sand dune forest feels wilder, quieter, and full of the small surprises that reward those who walk slowly and observe carefully.
Padthaway Conservation Park sits on an ancient sand dune system where poor soils have paradoxically preserved what richer country lost — a substantial block of native vegetation dominated by South Australian blue gum, manna gum, and stringybark eucalypts. Surrounded by the vineyards and pastoral land of the Limestone Coast, the park is an ecological island of immense value, sheltering species that have been displaced from much of the surrounding landscape.
The Walk
Beginning on the Orchid Track
Like the Banksia Loop, the Currawong Loop begins on the interpretive Orchid Track — a 1.7-kilometre trail that introduces the park’s key vegetation communities. An interpretive brochure is available that explains the plant adaptations you will see along the way. In spring, the sandy soils produce a remarkable display of native orchids — spider orchids, greenhoods, and donkey orchids among them — that make this section of trail particularly rewarding for wildflower enthusiasts.
The Currawong Circuit
Branching from the Orchid Track, the Currawong Loop heads north into a section of the park that sees fewer visitors. The trail winds through mature eucalyptus woodland where the trees grow taller and the canopy more enclosed, creating a sense of immersion in the forest that the more open southern sections lack. The sandy trail surface is soft underfoot, and the quiet of this section makes it ideal for birdwatching — listen for the grey currawong’s resonant, ringing call, which carries through the forest like a natural announcement of your arrival.
The woodland here supports the full range of the park’s birdlife — crimson rosellas flashing scarlet through the canopy, kookaburras calling from dead branches, and the small, secretive species that are the true treasure of remnant woodland: eastern spinebills, striated thornbills, and golden whistlers that flit through the understorey in search of insects and nectar.
Wildlife Encounters
The Currawong Loop passes through some of the best wildlife habitat in the park. Western grey kangaroos are present, and koalas — well-established in the region — can sometimes be spotted dozing in the forks of manna gums. Echidnas shuffle through the leaf litter, and the quiet walker may catch sight of a blue-tongue lizard basking on the sandy trail surface on warm mornings. The extended distance and quieter sections of this loop increase the chances of memorable wildlife encounters compared to the shorter trails.
Planning Your Walk
The Currawong Loop can be combined with the Banksia Loop and Orchid Track for a comprehensive walk covering approximately 6.5 kilometres. No entry fees apply. Facilities are minimal — bring water, sun protection, and insect repellent. The best time to visit is spring for orchids and birdlife, or autumn for pleasant walking temperatures and the possibility of spotting fungi on the forest floor. Dogs are not permitted. The park may close during extreme fire danger — check the National Parks and Wildlife Service website before visiting.
The Currawong Loop extends the experience of Padthaway Conservation Park into its quieter corners, where the ancient dune forest feels most like the wilderness it once was. Named for a bird whose call is one of the most distinctive sounds in the Australian bush, this trail rewards those who take the time to listen, watch, and appreciate the extraordinary persistence of native life in a landscape transformed by agriculture.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.