Marino Conservation Park
More information
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Marino Conservation Park was a traditional resting place of the Kaurna Peoples, however, by the early 20th century much of the area had been cleared for grazing.
Today, the park conserves the last remaining stands of coastal heath vegetation along this part of the Adelaide coastline, forming a green buffer between the suburbs. The walking trail and fire access tracks allow you to explore the park, taking in its stunning scenic views over Brighton, Glenelg, Grange and the Marino Rocks Lighthouse. Dogs may be walked along these trails but must remain under your control on a lead at all times.
Open daily.
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.
Visitor information, bookings and park management:
Black Hill National Parks and Wildlife Service Office
Phone: (+61) 7133 7300
Email: DEW.NPWSSouthMetro@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 – Emergency After Hours Duty Officer (voice messages only, text messages are unavailable to be received)
Phone: 0427 556 676
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact Black Hill National Parks and Wildlife Service Office on (+61) 7133 7300 or the after-hours duty officer on 0427 556 676 (outside of business hours).
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, sea lions and dolphins), please contact National Parks and Wildlife Service Central Lofty Office on (+61) 7133 7300 or the Duty officer on 0427 556 676.
Marino Conservation Park is located 18km south of Adelaide.
There are three pedestrian access points. Car parking is available on Nimboya Road at Marino.
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 welcome in this park.
Please ensure you:
- Keep your dog under control and on a lead no more than two metres in length.
- Stick to designated walking trails.
- Bring disposable bags to clean up your dog’s faeces (please be aware there are no bins in national parks).
Discover other 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.
- 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.
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.
Parks are for all to enjoy, we would love to hear from you about your experience in nature. You can share your comments, pictures and videos with us and others by tagging @NationalParksSA on Facebook, Instagram or email us.
Botanical Trail
The entrance to the car park is at the end of Nimboya Road in Marino. There is one accessible car park available however there are no toilets in this park. The trail is 1.4km return and is a mix of hard packed surface and loose dirt. It is recommended to do the trail on a dry day as parts of the trail will become very muddy when wet. There is an accessible picnic spot along the way. The walk offers some of Adelaide’s best views of the coast and city skyline.
Marino Conservation Park was a traditional resting and fishing place of the Kaurna Peoples.
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.
Our trails cater for all levels of fitness and adventure and our classification system makes it easy to select an experience suitable for you. The tracks and trails identified are suggested routes only. Create your own route by following any of the designated tracks, including the link trails and maintenance tracks.
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
- Bushwalking safety
- Bushwalking minimum impact code
- Park map
Grade 3 — Suitable for most ages and fitness levels
The Botanical trail (1.4 km loop)
Navigate this trail using Google Street View
The walk takes you through past examples of some of the local vegetation to the lighthouse. Interpretative signs along the way will help you identify particular plants of interest. The walk also offers some of Adelaide’s best views of the coast and city skyline.
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.
Want to help?
To find out how you can help in this park or nearby, please visit Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges – Volunteering.
Want to join others and become a Park Friend?
To find out more about Friends of Parks groups please visit Friends of Parks South Australia.
You could join others to help look after a park. You can take part in working bees, training and other events.
Marino Conservation Park
The international Trail Users Code of Conduct is to show respect and courtesy towards other trail users at all times.
Ensure that you:
- keep to defined walking trails and follow the trail markers
- wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen
- carry sufficient drinking water
- be aware of weather conditions and avoid walking during the hottest part of the day
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
Can I have a fire or barbecue?
- Wood fires, solid fuel, gas fires and liquid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year.
- Ensure you are familiar with the fire restrictions for this park.
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.
Do not climb on, or fish from slippery rocks.
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:
- keep your dog on a lead at all times and check if there are areas of the park where dogs are not allowed
- 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.
Why does my dog need to be on a lead?
If your dog is off lead, it is more likely to impact on native wildlife and other visitors in a park and be at risk itself.
Risks to wildlife:
- Dogs off tracks will leave a scent in the bush that will keep wildlife away.
- Uncontrolled dogs may frighten wildlife and disrupt their natural behaviour.
- Some dogs will kill or injure wildlife.
Risks to other park visitors
- Dogs may be aggressive to other park visitors.
- Even friendly dogs can knock people over causing injury.
- Some people want to enjoy parks without dogs.
Risks to your dog
- Even if your dog is friendly, other dogs may not be.
- Your dog can catch parasites (such as fleas and ticks) from wildlife.
- Snake bites are a real risk in natural areas such as parks.
- Wildlife such as kangaroos and koalas will defend themselves if threatened by a dog and can cause significant injury to or the death of your dog.
Park maps
Google Street View
Want to explore a trail before you leave home or use Google Maps to navigate straight from your door to the trailhead?
We’ve worked with Google to film more than 600km of walking trails, park roads, campgrounds and waterways in some of our most beautiful places. Click to see what the parks offer and the available facilities before you go. This is an especially great tool if you have accessibility needs, are visiting with people of varying ages or fitness levels or are pushing a pram and want to view a trail before leaving home.
You can start exploring this park on Google Street View using the links below.
Walking trails
Come and enjoy this park for free.
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.