obbler Creek - PDF document

C obbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha N atural Resources Centre Gawler T: 08 8523 7700 .sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is an oasis o f calm in the suburbs. The park conserves one of Adelaide’s rare woodland habitat s ,andisalsooneofAdelaide’s popular mountain biking spots. You can e xplore the open grasslands and woodlands of Cobbler Creek bike and on foot , using the 17km network of shared - use , sustainable trails. The purpose - built trails are perfect for beginner and intermediate riders, with a couple of sections th at will give even the most experienced of riders a thrill. Be mindful to respect all trail users. The trails take you to peaceful River Red gum - panoramic city views , and woodlands echoing with bird calls. You might see birds o f prey like the Black - shouldered kite , and catch a glimpse of the Red - rumped P arrot as it flits through the trees . Cobbler Creek was named after a shoemaker (or a who farmed the land in the late 1800s . You can still see theruinsofhishomestead‘Trevalsa’inthenorth - west of the park along with other relics of early colonial life . Why not b ring a picnic with you and take your dog for a walk on a lead along the trails in the park ? ease bring your own water in , and take all your rubbish out. Opening hours Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is open every day from sunrise to sunset (except Christmas Day). The park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger , or for other park management re asons . Getting there Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is just 19km north of Adelaide , between the suburbs of Salisbury and Golden Grove . The main entry and car park is at the corner of Bridge and Smith Roads , Salisbury East . either side of T he Grove Way, but be mindful of traffic as you enter and leave . You can get to Cobbler Creek via public transport, vi sit adelaidemetro.com.au . Fees There are no fees to enter Cobbler Creek Recreation Park. C obbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha N atural Resources Centre Gawler T: 08 8523 7700 www.naturalresources .sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges When to visit Cobbler Creek has something to offer almost all year round. In the autumn the pink and white garland lilies bloom across the park, while in spring and winter thepark’snativegrasses flourish and you should see lots of wildlife. Riding and walking is perfect at any time when the trails are dry , but please take care in extreme conditions like heat or rain . I n wet weather t here is a risk of flooding upstream of the Cobbler Creek dam at the western end of the park . Traditional Owners This park, and surrounding hills is a significant place for the Kaurna people, who historically used this area in winter as makeshift Wardli (shelter) . Many Kaurna yarta (land) family groups look after the Kaurna pangkara (country), which stretched from the plains and hills south of Crystal Brook and w est of Mount Loft y, down to Cape Jervis. While the Kaurna people sheltered in this area, they gathered and hunted the necessities for survival to sustain their family groups including :  Mai (bush vegetables)   Pardu (bush meats from animals)  Mintirninthi (healing) and  Bush‘textiles’ which were , used to make woven products for gathering bush fruit and vegetables. Go for a walk along the Mai Tappa Trail using the brochure to interpret theKaurna‘foodpathway’ , and learn about Kaurna history and living culture . Get involved No matter how well designed trails are, regular maintenance is important to keep them in good condition. Helping maintain the trails can give you a real sense of st ewardship , and park staff always appreciate help with trail improvement . By helping look afterthetrailsinthepark,you’regivingbacktotheriding , bushwalking, the park and the community. Cobbler Creek contains the largest remaining stand of the enda ngered Mallee Box Grassy Woodland on the Adelaide Plains , making it an important conservation area . The park is also an important refuge for the many birds and animals living there . Park staff are always grateful for help with keeping weeds at bay, and re vegetation projects . Please call our Gawler office on ( +61 8) 8523 7700 to find out how to join a working group . T hings to see and do Rangers recommend:  Mixing it up on the bike trails , exploring the network of connected tracks until you find the perfect blend of challenge and buzz .  Relaxing on one of the many benches you’llfindaroundthepark, looking out over valley s , the city, and the sea .  Discovering the Mai Tappa hike. I t’sfor bushwalkers only and takes you through the Mallee box grassy woodland , past stands of sheoak, down into a creek bed, across grassy plains , and past an old quarry. Wild life You’llseeallkindsofwildlifeinCobblerCreek,particularlyifyoutakeafewmomentstobe still . There are frogs and bats, and r eptile s such as the E astern B earded D ragon and White’s S kink . You might even spot a kangaroo. W atch out for hunting birds such as the Australian K estrel and Black - shouldered Kite, they scour the grasslands for mice and lizards. Red - rumped P arrots can often be see n searching the ground for seeds, while red wattlebirds and lorikeets feed on the nectar of the flowering gums. C obbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha N atural Resources Centre Gawler T: 08 8523 7700 www.naturalresources .sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges Mountain biking and walking The park’sdesignated trails are suggested routes only. Create your own route by mixing the d esignated trails with t he connector tracks (see park map) . Please obey signs, particularly where hiking or cycling is not permitted. M ost of these trails are shared, so always keep an eye out for other s . Generally cyclists give way to foot traffic , please b e considerate of all trail users at all times. Bushwalking classification Mountain bike classification Easy walk A walk is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. These are well defined trails, generally less than 3km in length, with even surfaces. Easy trail Suitable for children and novices with basic skill and fitness levels . Relatively short trails with g entle grades , generally obstacle free. Beginners’ circuit . An easy trail for children learning to ride. 150m Easy - D oes - I t circuit . A nother easy trail , designed to help children become familiar with minor undulations. 250m KARNARFA circuit . For riders taking the next step to riding in natural areas. This trail features a gravel surface with many easy ( but optional ) trail obstacles and features. Try this trail before venturing onto the intermediate trails in the wider park. 1.5km M oderate hike A moderate hike is suitable for people with an average level of fitness. These trails can be any length and may include mod erate inclines and irregular surfa ces. No biking Mai Tappa Circuit . An interestin g hike through varying vegetation including grasslands, endangered Mallee Box Grassy Woodland and Drooping Sheoak. Descend into gullies to walk along a creek line then climb hills for views over the Adelaide plains . This hike is walking only – no bikes permitted. Take a copy of the Mai Tappa brochure with you which can be downloaded from the Cobbler Creek Conservation Park page 2 .2 km Hard hike A hard hike requires some hiking experience and a reasonable fitness level . S ome sections of the trail can be quite steep and uneven. Intermediate trail Suitable for those with m oderate skill and fitness levels. Short to medium distance trails , u suall y a combination of single trails and/or fire roads with a variable surface. Moderate slopes and obstacles. Porosa Hike . This trail cuts a tranquil path through the valley of Cobbler Cre ek. There are moderate climbs through sections of M allee B ox G rassy W oodland where you should see lots of bird s . Great views of the Adelaide Hills and surrounding plains from the hilltop near Teakles Ruin . This trail is best suited to hikers. A section of this hike ( north of Cobbler Creek ) is walking only , there is an alternative cycling trail south of Cobbler Creek. Please obey the signs. 3km Valley Circuit . The Valley Circuit takes you to some of the more remote areas of the park. Recommend ed for the experienced hiker and the mountain bike rider seeking adventure. 4km Ruins Loop . Th is is the fun way to explore the ruins in the park. Ride in a clockwise direction to enjoy the exciting descent back down the hill. 3km Babbler Loop . You’llclimbtothetopoftheparkthroughrare Mallee Box Grassy Woo dland , weeping pittosporum and Christmas Bush. Great views of Salisbury and the Adelaide Plains. 3km Short and Sweet . An exciting trail with lots of challenges and features for the experienced mountain bike rider. 1.7km No walking Advanced trail Challenging trail requiring high levels of skill, fitness and endurance. Very steep sections and many obstacles. A short section of connecting track in the south - east of the park is classified as an Advanced trail . On the park map t his track is marked by a black diamond at each end ♦ … ♦ C obbler Creek Recreation Park 280ha N atural Resources Centre Gawler T: 08 8523 7700 www.naturalresources .sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges Know before you go Every national park is different. Each has its own challenging environment and it is important to understand how to stay safe while enjoying all the park has to offer. Please:  keep you r dog on a short lead at all times  do not feed birds or other animals , it promotes aggressive behavio u r and an unbalanced ecology  do not bring generators, chainsaws or firearms into the park  leave the park as you found it , take your rubbish with you  abide by the rules and keep to defined trails and tracks  respect geological and heritage sites  do not remove native plants  be considerate of other park users. Fire s afety  This park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger. Listen to your local radio station for broadcasts, or call the CFS Hotline on 1300 362 361.  Wood fires , solid fuel fires and gas fires are prohibited at all times . Biking and walking safety  Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen.  Make sure you have appropriate wet weathe r clothing , and be aware that trails can flood after heavy rainfall .  There is no drinking water in the park so c arry enough to be self - sufficient.  Most of the trails in this park are shared use, please be respectful of other users at all times.  Stay on the designated trails and connector tracks for your own safety , but also to prevent the spread of declared weeds to other areas in the park. Mobile phone coverage Mobile phone coverage can be patchy and unreliable in national parks, especially if you are in a low - lying area (such as a gorge or gully) . To get a signal you may have to walk or drive to one of the higher areas in the park. Pest plants Coolatai Grass is a declared weed that is quite widespread in Cobbler Creek Recreation Park and it invades and replaces native vegetation . It grows in dense clumps and can be a serious fire hazard. Coolatai drops hundreds of seeds that spread easily and can be carried on sho es, in d og fur and in the grooves of bicycle tyres. You can h elp us to minimise the spread of this grass by :  staying on designated trails  checking your shoes , tyres anddog’s furwhileyou’rein and before you leave the park and removing any seeds that you find Friends of Cobbler Creek The Friends of Cobbler Creek is a commu nity - based group of volunteers who work to protect and develop the natural and cultural heritage in the park. Find them at communitywebs.org/friendsofcobblercreek . Learn mo re about volunteering in parks at parks.sa.gov.au . Contact E mergency : 000 Cobbler Creek Recreation Park (+61 8) 8523 7700 General park enquiries : (+61 8) 8204 1910 DEWNR.CustomerServiceCentre@sa.gov.au parks.sa.gov.au │ facebook.com/parkssa