Onkaparinga River National Park upgrades include lookout and urban campground

The first campground in a metropolitan Adelaide park is being built as part of $1.7 million in upgrades to Onkaparinga River National Park.

The campground – due for completion in spring – will accommodate 15 campsites, catering for small and large groups, in a secluded area near the Onkaparinga River in the eastern end of the park.

A new lookout over Onkaparinga Gorge at Punchbowl waterhole will help entice more sightseers, and trail improvements and signage upgrades will make the park more accessible and easier to navigate for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

A toilet and 20-space carpark are being constructed at Piggott Range Road, the trailhead for many of the park’s most popular walks.

The campground and lookout number among 40 projects that are benefitting from the South Australian Government’s $10.4 million investment in parks through the Connecting residents with nature initiative.

South Australia has more than 350 national parks and reserves, plus a network of 19 marine parks.

Commenting on the development, South Australian Environment and Conservation Minister Ian Hunter  stated “wWe had 11,000 people tell us what they wanted to see in metropolitan parks and one of the most popular responses was campgrounds, so that’s what we’re building at Onkaparinga.

“The closest national park to Adelaide with a campground is Deep Creek on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and we’ve seen a steady increase in demand for the campsites there.

“This new campground will be a wonderful opportunity for local families and groups to take overnight nature getaways and still be close to home.”

South Australia has more than 350 national parks and reserves, plus a network of 19 marine parks.

For more information go to www.parks.sa.gov.au

Image: Onkaparinga River National Park.

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