Discover which SA national park best suits your child!

Sum­mer is a great time to get out­doors and explore South Australia’s nation­al parks, but where do you go when every child has a dif­fer­ent idea of fun? 

Well — here’s a guide to parks based on your child’s per­son­al­i­ty — whether they’re adven­tur­ous, curi­ous, or wild about wildlife, we’ve got the per­fect spot for a fam­i­ly day out.

For the ball of ener­gy: Mori­al­ta Con­ser­va­tion Park and Glen­thorne Nation­al Park-Itya­mai­it­pin­na Yarta

Does your child have end­less ener­gy to burn? Mori­al­ta Con­ser­va­tion Park is ide­al for active kids who want to explore and play. The Mukan­thi Nature Play Space is packed with adven­ture, offer­ing rope lad­ders, tun­nels, and end­less challenges. 

Don’t for­get to vis­it a water­fall and tack­le the climb to Giants Cave — it’s only about 50 steps up and rewards you with a fan­tas­tic view down the valley.

If your lit­tle ball of ener­gy still isn’t ready to stop, it’s time to head over to Glen­thorne Nation­al Park-Itya­mai­it­pin­na Yarta for round 2! With one of the biggest adven­ture play­grounds in South Aus­tralia, it’s got every­thing from a 25-metre fly­ing fox to rope and log climb­ing ele­ments, giant slides, and even a fos­sil dig area. Cov­er­ing more than 7,000 square metres, it’s basi­cal­ly an energy-burner’s paradise.

For the beach-bum: Cof­fin Bay Nation­al Park

Does your child live for sun, sand, and splash­ing in the waves? Cof­fin Bay Nation­al Park on the Eyre Penin­su­la offers pris­tine beach­es and crys­tal-clear waters, mak­ing it the per­fect des­ti­na­tion for a sum­mer-lov­ing child. 

Explore the Almonta Beach or the shel­tered Yang­ie Bay,where your lit­tle ones can cool off with a swim, build sand­cas­tles, or try their hand at fish­ing. The coastal scenery is breath­tak­ing, and you can eas­i­ly spend the whole day enjoy­ing the nat­ur­al beau­ty of this coastal gem.

For the wild about wildlife: Cle­land Wildlife Park

If your lit­tle one is full of ques­tions and loves learn­ing about ani­mals, Cle­land Wildlife Park is the per­fect des­ti­na­tion. Chil­dren can get up close with kan­ga­roos, wal­la­bies, and even emus, while learn­ing about the habits and habi­tats of Australia’s unique wildlife. Keep an eye out for the dai­ly keep­er talks, where you’ll learn about the ani­mals’ his­to­ry, their roles in the ecosys­tem, and what they get up to each day. You might even catch some eager crit­ters enjoy­ing a meal!

For the cre­ative: Onka­paringa Riv­er Nation­al Park

For the child who loves to draw, imag­ine, or cre­ate sto­ries, Onka­paringa Riv­er Nation­al Park, south of Ade­laide, offers end­less inspi­ra­tion. The sweep­ing views of the Onka­paringa Gorge, com­bined with its wide-open spaces, are sure to spark their cre­ativ­i­ty. Pack a sketch­book or cam­era and let them cap­ture the park’s nat­ur­al beau­ty as you stroll along the peace­ful trails — it’s the per­fect back­drop for their next masterpiece.

For the nature lover: Belair Nation­al Park

If your child finds joy in observ­ing the nat­ur­al world, whether it’s the rustling of leaves or spot­ting a bird high up in the trees, Belair Nation­al Park is your go-to. With easy walk­ing trails and abun­dant wildlife, includ­ing koalas and kan­ga­roos, Belair offers a gen­tle intro­duc­tion to nature’s beau­ty. The park has pic­nic areas and an adven­ture play­ground with a fort and tun­nel to explore so you can enjoy a full day of fun. 

For the adven­tur­ous: Deep Creek Nation­al Park

Does your child love to climb, scram­ble, and con­quer new heights? Take them to Deep Creek Nation­al Park on the Fleurieu Penin­su­la, where rugged trails and coastal cliffs will fuel their adven­tur­ous spirit.

For a fam­i­ly-friend­ly day that every­one can enjoy, the Goon­dooloo Ridge Walk is a must. The trail is per­fect for fam­i­lies seek­ing an acces­si­ble, yet immer­sive walk. Start­ing from the Goon­dooloo day vis­i­tor area, which has pic­nic tables, car park­ing, and toi­lets, the walk offers spec­tac­u­lar views (and its even pram-friendly!).