South Australian national parks expanded to boost tourism, biodiversity and threatened species

The South Australian Government is adding almost 725 hectares – the equivalent of 450 Adelaide Ovals – to three popular South Australian parks, enhancing access and protection to the state’s natural attractions for local, interstate and international visitors.

Murray River National Park and Maize Lagoon Conservation Park in the Riverland, as well as Sceale Bay Conservation Park on Eyre Peninsula, will be expanded.

The expansions are in addition to 1246 hectares added to eight other parks across the state by the SA Government and the creation of two new national parks at Nilpena and Worlds End.

Another proposal to add 1840 hectares to the Seal Bay Sanctuary zone in the Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park has received overwhelming public support.

These additions will help the State Government better manage and protect land that is home to valuable biodiversity, and culturally significant and sensitive sites.

Murray River National Park is a popular camping location that provides recreational activities and an opportunity for visitors to interact with nature and experience the River Murray floodplains.

Maize Island Conservation Park is home to one of the state’s first village settlements along the River Murray, including ruins of some original dwellings and old horticultural plantings.

Sceale Bay Conservation Park supports significant wading birds, including migratory species – the Australian pied oystercatcher, Sanderling and fairy tern – that are subject to international protection agreements between Australia, Japan and China.

In the 2024/25 State Budget, an additional $30 million in funding was provided to sustain our national parks.

The additions align with the state and federal governments’ 30 by 30 commitment, which aims to protect 30 per cent of Australia’s landmass and marine areas by 2030 in an effort to halt further biodiversity loss.

The Department for Environment and Water manages about 23 million hectares of national parks and wilderness protection areas, which comprise about 22 per cent of the state’s land.

Research shows $70 billion of the state’s economic activity and $11 billion of its exports have a dependence on nature.

Image. Murray River National Park canoeing