Mount Brown Conservation Park
Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park and Mount Brown Conservation Park will be closed on various dates for visitor safety during a feral animal control operation. Details
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At 964 metres altitude, Mount Brown is one of the highest peaks in the South Flinders Ranges.
This former forest reserve is comprised of undulating country with a variety of cover grading to rugged ridges with open woodland and scrub.
The lookout at Mt Brown commemorates Robert Brown, who was the naturalist aboard Matthew Flinders’ Investigator, the first ship to circumnavigate Australia. Along the 15km loop walking trail there is evidence of a 1km deep canyon formed 600 million years ago.
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:
National Parks and Wildlife Service, Yorke and Mid North OfficePhone: (+61 8) 8841 3400
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: 0417 883 678
Injured wildlife:
Within the park
Please contact National Parks and Wildlife Service, Yorke and Mid North Office on (08) 8841 3400 or the after-hours duty officer on 0417 883 678 (outside of business hours)
Outside of the park
Please contact a local wildlife rescue group
Mount Brown Conservation Park is located 14km south of Quorn. The park can be accessed from Quorn township. At the Quorn Mill, travel south following the signs to Richman Valley and Waukarie Falls. Drive to the southern end of Richman Valley Road, a total distance of about 14 km.
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.
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.
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.
- Visit the Walking Trails Support Group for maps, leaflets and walking notes produced by park volunteers.
- Download the Flinders Ranges Walks app (iOS, Android) before you leave home for walking notes on 16 walks in the Flinders Ranges. This app is produced by park volunteers.
Outback Road Report
1300 361 033 (24-hour automated service)
Northern and Western South Australian Outback Roads Temporary Closures, Restrictions and Warnings Report
- 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.
The rock in Waukarie Creek contains evidence of a kilometre-deep canyon formed some 600 million years ago. The canyon cuts down into the coarse, heavy-mineral layered sandstones of the ABC Range Quartzite. Sediments of the Wonoka Formation (sand, silt, limestone, shale and calcareous siltstone) fill the canyon and extend beyond it to comprise the slopes crossed by the trail. Similar canyons occur elsewhere in the Flinders Ranges.
South Australia’s national parks feature a range of trails that let you experience a diversity of landscapes. Our trails cater for all levels of fitness and adventure and our classification system makes it easy to select an experience suitable for you.
- Walk, hike or trek — what’s the difference?
- Bushwalking safety
- Park map
- Walking Trails Support Group
Moderate hikes
Mount Brown Summit Hike (7.5 hrs return, 15km loop)
Hike past picturesque Waukarie Creek and quartzite slopes and be rewarded with vast views at the summit of Mount Brown. Look out for the Wedge Tailed Eagles which often soar along the ridge tops. The hike starts at the Olive Grove Trailhead, situated 200 m from Olive Grove gate. Distance markers are placed every 200 metres along the trail.Return hike to Mount Brown (6 hrs return, 11.6km)
This return hike will reward you with undisturbed views and trails which wind through native woodland. The hike starts at the Olive Grove Trailhead, situated 200 m from Olive Grove gate. From the Olive Grove Trailhead, walk 50 m down the trail to Checkpoint 1 near Waukarie Falls, where distance measurements start. Distance markers are placed every 200 metres along the trail.
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 Northern and York – 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.
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?
- Wood fires and solid fuel fires are prohibited throughout the year.
- Gas fires and liquid fuel fires are permitted, other than on days of total fire ban.
- 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.
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.
There is no camping or accommodation available within this park.
This park is not included in the park pass system.
There are no other fees or permits associated with this park.