Dingley Dell Conservation Park
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Set in the idyllic bush setting of Dingley Dell Conservation Park is the former home of one of Australia’s famous poets.
The eccentric and talented Adam Lindsay Gordon lived at Dingley Dell from 1864 until 1867. It was during his stay that his first poem was published outside of a newspaper or magazine. Success continued, with the number of his published works increasing between 1865 and 1867.
Dingley Dell cottage remains preserved as a reminder of its former resident. Displays around the grounds depict Adam Lindsay Gordon’s life and works, as well as the history of the cottage.
The Dingley Dell Cottage Museum is currently not open for daily tours. The surrounding conservation park remains accessible and is free for you to enjoy.
Open daily.
The Dingley Dell Cottage Museum is currently not open for daily tours. The surrounding conservation park remains accessible and is free for you to enjoy.
Closures and safety
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Dingley Dell Cottage
Dingley Dell Cottage is currently closed, however the surrounding conservation park is free for visitors to enjoy.
Visitor information and park management:
National Parks and Wildlife Service Mount Gambier Office
Phone: (+61 8) 7424 5770
Booking enquiries please email:
DEW.SEOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au
Emergency contacts:
Medical, fire (including bushfire) and police emergency situations
Phone: Triple Zero — 000
Police Assistance
Phone: 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance
National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – After-hours duty officer
Phone: (+61 8) 7424 5770
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact National Parks and Wildlife Service Mount Gambier Office on (08) 7424 5770
Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group
Marine mammals
If you find a sick or stranded marine mammal (including whales, seals, sealions and dolphins), please contact National Parks and Wildlife Service Mount Gambier Office on (08) 7424 5770
Dingley Dell Conservation Park is located 30 km south of Mount Gambier or 407 km south east of Adelaide. Access is via Port MacDonnell Road.
Assistance dogs are permitted in most public places and are therefore welcome in South Australia’s parks and reserves. Assistance dogs must be appropriately restrained on a lead and remain under your effective control at all times while in a park or reserve.
As per the dogs in parks and reserves policy, if the dog is not an accredited assistance dog, they must be trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate that disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for a dog in a public place. However, refusal may be given if the person with the disability is unable to produce evidence the dog is an assistance dog with the appropriate training.
Before taking your assistance dog into a park that does not normally allow dogs, it is highly recommended that you contact us so we can provide you with the latest information on any potential hazards within specific parks that may affect your dog. Please contact the park via the contact details provided under the contact tab or contact the visitor service centre via email or on Facebook.
Dogs are not permitted in this park.
Discover which parks you can walk your dog in on our find a park tool or read 12 dog-friendly walks in Adelaide Parks by Good Living for inspiration.
Car parking, picnic sites, toilet facilities and wheelchair access are provided in the park.
Flora and fauna species lists
To download flora (plants) and fauna (animals) species lists for this park, use the ‘Create Simple Species List’ tab under ‘Flora Tools’ or ‘Fauna Tools’ in NatureMaps.
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.
There are many places across the State that have great spiritual significance to Aboriginal first nations. At some of these places Aboriginal cultural protocols, such as restricted access, are promoted and visitors are asked to respect the wishes of Traditional Owners.
In places where protocols are not promoted visitors are asked to show respect by not touching or removing anything, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.
Aboriginal peoples continue to play an active role in caring for their Country, including in parks across South Australia.
Adam Lindsay Gordon
Gordon complemented the passionate national and patriotic sentiment that thrived in Australia during the mid to late nineteenth century. He was not only known for his cavalier nature as a horseman, with the tale of his leap at Blue Lake in 1864, a part of local folklore, but also for his flamboyant parliamentary life, courageous deeds and poetry that romanticised the Australian bush. The Dingley Dell region was the inspiration behind much of his poetry. Gordon is the only Australian poet to have his bust in the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey (unveiled 11 May 1934).
Visitors can enjoy a stroll along the walking trail that meanders through the pocket of bushland which surrounds Adam Lindsay Gordon’s historic cottage.
There are no designated mountain biking trails in this park.
Camping is not permitted within this park.
- Use Find a Park to discover which parks you can camp in.
Adam Lindsay Gordon, the famed poet and horseman, owned this small colonial cottage from 1864. It was given to the local council by Maggie, his wife, in about 1873.
The cottage has been restored to provide visitors with a fascinating glimpse of life in the 1860s. Gordon’s personal belongings, and other mementos of this era, form part of the period collection. Dingley Dell was the first house on South Australia’s Heritage Register, registered in 1922. It was built in 1862 and purchased by Adam Lindsay Gordon in 1864 for £150.
If you think you might be interested in volunteering opportunities within this park please contact our Volunteer Support Unit.
The international Trail Users Code of Conduct is to show respect and courtesy towards other trail users at all times.
Ensure that you:
- when hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
- be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
- make sure you have appropriate weather proof clothing
- carry enough water to be self-sufficient
- please be respectful of other users at all times
- stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety, and prevent the spread of declared weeds to other areas in the park
- ensure someone knows your approximate location and expected time of return
- take appropriate maps.
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
Can I have a fire or barbecue?
- Ensure you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.
- You must bring your own firewood, as the collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited.
- Gas fires and liquid fuel fires are permitted through the year, other than on days of total fire ban.
Closures and safety
This park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may also be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
You can determine the current fire danger rating by checking the Fire Ban District map on the CFS website.
Check the CFS website or call the CFS Bushfire Information Hotline 1800 362 361 for:
- Information on fire bans and current fire conditions
- Current CFS warnings and incidents
- Information on what to do in the event of a fire.
Listen to your local area radio station for the latest updates and information on fire safety.
Every national park is different, each has its own unique environment, it is important to be responsible while enjoying all the park has to offer.
Please ensure that you:
- leave your pets at home
- do not feed birds or other animals, it promotes aggressive behaviour and an unbalanced ecology
- do not bring generators (except where permitted), chainsaws or firearms into the park
- leave the park as you found it — there are no bins in national parks, please come prepared to take your rubbish with you.
- abide by the road rules (maintain the speed limit)
- respect geological and heritage sites
- do not remove native plants
- are considerate of other park users.
- Important: Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dead wood plays a vital role in providing shelter for animals and adding nutrients to the soil.
Come and enjoy this park for free.
Dingley Dell Cottage Tours
The Dingley Dell Cottage Museum is currently closed, however the surrounding conservation park remains open for visitors to enjoy.
This park is not included in the park pass system.
There is no camping or accommodation available within this park.
There are no other fees or permits associated with this park.