An Evening Stroll Through Stringybark Woodland in Search of Common Wombats
| Activity | Walking (Easy) |
| Distance | 4.5 kilometres (loop) |
| Duration | Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Region | Limestone Coast |
| Accommodation | Camping, mid-range and premium options — See accommodation options |
| Start Point | Caroline Sinkhole Car Park, Caroline SA 5291 |
| End Point | Caroline Sinkhole Car Park (loop) |
| Park Entry | Free — not included in park pass system |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
Overview
Tucked away in the quiet farming country south-east of Mount Gambier, Penambol Conservation Park is a small but precious pocket of remnant native bushland. The Wombat Walk is a 4.5-kilometre loop trail that meanders through the eastern side of the park, passing through stringybark and swamp gum woodlands where the common wombat has made its home. It is one of the Limestone Coast’s most charming and accessible walks — gentle enough for families, yet rich enough in natural interest to reward more experienced bushwalkers.
The trail takes its name from the wombat burrows scattered throughout the park. These sturdy, barrel-shaped marsupials are nocturnal feeders, spending their days underground and emerging in the cool of the evening to graze on native grasses. An evening walk along this trail, timed for the hour before dusk, offers the best chance of seeing them out in the open — shuffling along the forest floor with their distinctive rolling gait, seemingly unbothered by quiet human observers.
The Walk
From the Caroline Sinkhole Car Park
The trail begins at the Caroline Sinkhole car park, which also serves as the gateway to one of the park’s most remarkable geological features. Before setting off on the walk, it’s worth visiting the Caroline Sinkhole itself — a dramatic depression in the limestone landscape with an elevated viewing platform that provides a spectacular bird’s-eye view down into the sinkhole. Excavations in the sinkholes here have revealed evidence of occupation by the Boandik people, the traditional custodians of this country, who are thought to have used the sheltered depressions for protection from the elements.
From the car park, follow the yellow trail markers into the woodland. The start of the trail can be slightly tricky to locate, but once on the track it is well-marked and easy to follow. The path is mostly flat, with a natural surface that winds gently through the bush.
Through Stringybark and Swamp Gum Woodland
The loop passes through two distinct woodland communities. The first is dominated by stringybark eucalyptus, tall and straight-trunked with rough, fibrous bark that peels away in long strips. The understory here is relatively open, with native grasses and ground-cover plants that attract a variety of small birds and butterflies. Numbered posts along the trail correspond to a guide that identifies the different habitat types, making this an educational walk as well as a scenic one.
Further along, the trail moves into swamp gum woodland, where the atmosphere shifts. The trees are broader and the canopy denser, creating a cooler, more sheltered environment. It is in these wetter, shadier sections that wombat burrows are most commonly found — look for the large, roughly circular entrance holes at the base of trees or along embankments, often surrounded by distinctive cube-shaped droppings.
Wildlife and Butterflies
Beyond the wombats, Penambol Conservation Park supports a surprisingly diverse community of wildlife. Kangaroos are common throughout, and echidnas can occasionally be spotted trundling through the leaf litter. The park is also home to a number of butterfly species, including the splendid ochre butterfly and the orange species butterfly, both of which can be seen along the companion Butterfly Walk trail that explores the western side of the park.
Planning Your Visit
Penambol Conservation Park is free to enter and is not included in the national parks pass system. The park is located near the small settlement of Caroline, approximately 20 minutes’ drive south-east of Mount Gambier. There are no camping or toilet facilities within the park, so plan accordingly. The trail is suitable for most fitness levels and can be walked year-round, though spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions. For the best chance of seeing wombats, time your visit for late afternoon and walk quietly through the swamp gum sections.
The Wombat Walk is a small trail with an outsized charm. It offers a quiet, peaceful loop through some of the Limestone Coast’s last remaining native woodland, with the genuine possibility of encountering one of Australia’s most endearing marsupials. It is the kind of walk that reminds you why conservation parks exist — to protect the places where the wild things still live.
Where to Stay
Planning an overnight trip? See our Fleurieu Peninsula Accommodation Guide for the best places to stay near this trail.