Having Fun in Forests
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South Australia’s forest reserves are important places for a variety of community activities and ForestrySA has a policy of providing recreational facilities and encouraging public use of the State’s forests.
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Forests are a great place to go camping. |
Visitors are welcome to enjoy activities such as camping, picnicking, walking, hiking, horse and bike riding, caving, orienteering, bird-watching and gold fossicking. A number of major events, such as dog sled races, horse endurance rides, car rallies, field days and music events, are held in forest reserves each year.
The most popular forest reserves in South Australia are Mount Crawford, Kuitpo, Bundaleer, Wirrabara, and to a lesser extent, Second Valley and the South East forests. Surveys show that the Adelaide Hills forests of Mount Crawford and Kuitpo have over 200,000 visitors per year.
Permits are required for some activities, such as camping, horse riding, fossicking and firewood collection. Visitors should be mindful of other people using the forests. As off-road vehicles can damage the forest environment, vehicle access is restricted to designated roads and tracks. All other tracks are for forestry use only. Exercising of dogs in forest reserves is permitted, providing the animals are under control at all times. Domestic animals are not permitted in Native Forest Reserves.
Access to forest reserves may be restricted during the Fire Danger Season, so visitors need to check with the Forest Ranger before their visit.
Mount Crawford and Kuitpo Forests
These forests are great for picnicking, camping, forest walks and hiking. The Mawson Trail passes through Mount Crawford Forest and you can go gold fossicking in the Watts Gully area. The Heysen Trail passes through both forests and a number of forest huts can be hired.
Bundaleer and Wirrabara Forests
Bundaleer and Wirrabara Forests are ideal places for picnicking, camping and walking. Both forests include secluded creek lines and hilly range country. A variety of walks are available, of varying lengths and difficulty.
Both the Heysen and Mawson trails traverse the Bundaleer Forest. Both forests have a number of historic sites, including the old nursery, charcoal burning pits and arboretum at Wirrabara, and the trial species plantings at
Bundaleer.
South East Forests
The South East forests are primarily for wood production but they have many attractive places for picnicking, walking, cycling and horseriding.
Other Forests
Many National and Conservation Parks have forests that are open to visitors, but private forests are on private land and can therefore only be visited if you have permission from the landholder.
Find Out MoreForest Reserves - www.forestry.sa.gov.au National and Conservation Parks - www.environment.sa.gov.au Other forest owners - www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/useful_links |
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestrymatters/forestry_fact_sheets/having_fun_in_forests
- Page Last Modified: November 15, 2011