A Gentle Family Walk Through Ancient Forest on the Fleurieu Peninsula
| Activity | Walking (Easy – Grade 1) |
| Distance | 1.5 kilometres (loop) |
| Duration | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Region | Fleurieu Peninsula |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Start Point | Picnic ground near park headquarters, Tapanappa Road, Deep Creek |
| End Point | Same (loop) |
| Park Entry | Vehicle entry fees apply |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
Overview
Deep Creek Conservation Park is the largest remaining area of natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Stringybark Loop Walk offers one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to experience it. This 1.5-kilometre loop winds through a stand of old-growth stringybark forest close to the park’s headquarters and the popular Stringybark campsite. The trail is flat, well-maintained, and ideal for families with young children — yet the forest it passes through is genuinely ancient, with towering stringybark eucalyptus that have stood on this hillside for centuries.
Deep Creek protects 4,600 hectares of coastal bush that stretches from ridge tops to dramatic cliff-lined beaches on the Southern Ocean. Within this expanse, the stringybark forest is one of the park’s most distinctive habitats — tall, straight-trunked trees with rough, fibrous bark that rises in long strips, creating a cool, shaded understorey that supports a rich community of wildlife.
The Walk
The trail begins at the picnic ground near the park headquarters on Tapanappa Road. From the start, the canopy closes overhead and the atmosphere shifts. The stringybark trees are large and old, their trunks rising straight and tall to a high canopy that filters the sunlight into soft, dappled patterns on the forest floor. The understorey is a mix of native grasses, ferns, and ground-cover plants, and the air smells of eucalyptus and damp earth.
Wildlife encounters are common along this walk. Western grey kangaroos are frequently seen resting in the shade of the trees, their large brown eyes watching quietly as walkers pass. Short-beaked echidnas shuffle through the leaf litter, and over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Keep an ear out for the distinctive call of the yellow-tailed black cockatoo, one of the park’s most charismatic residents.
Deep Creek Conservation Park
The Stringybark Loop is just the beginning of what Deep Creek has to offer. The park contains a network of trails ranging from short strolls to challenging half-day hikes, including the Blowhole Beach Hike, the Deep Creek Cove walks, and the Forest Circuit. The coastline is spectacular — high cliffs, hidden coves, and pristine beaches that can only be reached on foot. Deep Creek is also the starting point for the Heysen Trail, South Australia’s premier long-distance walk.
Planning Your Visit
Deep Creek Conservation Park is located approximately 100 kilometres south of Adelaide, near the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Vehicle entry fees apply. The Stringybark campsite, adjacent to the trailhead, offers unpowered camping with toilets and fire rings. The trail is suitable for all fitness levels and is accessible year-round. Spring brings wildflower displays, and winter is the best time to see the park’s seasonal waterfalls in flow.
The Stringybark Loop Walk is the gentlest possible introduction to one of South Australia’s best conservation parks. In just 30 minutes, it carries you through old-growth forest that has stood on this hillside since long before the park was proclaimed, in a landscape where kangaroos rest in the shade and cockatoos cry overhead.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.
Guided Tours
Want a guided experience around Deep Creek? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Tours guide for recommended tour operators and experiences in this region.