The park is part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, which are geologically significant as an uplifted block of ancient metamorphic rocks.
It features a specific 'shared-use' trail system designed to accommodate hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders on designated paths.
The park is a key site for the reintroduction and protection of the Southern Brown Bandicoot, a species classified as endangered in parts of its range.
The vegetation is primarily Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) and Messmate forest, which is highly adapted to fire cycles.
The park acts as a vital catchment area for several creeks that drain into the metropolitan Adelaide water supply system.
Cleland National Park, formally designated as Cleland Conservation Park, is a protected area located on the western face of the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia. The park serves as a significant ecological corridor covering over 1,000 hectares of native bushland. It is defined by its extensive network of shared-use trails that connect the Adelaide foothills to the Mount Lofty Summit. The terrain ranges from steep gullies to dry sclerophyll forests, providing habitats for diverse indigenous fauna including echidnas and bandicoots. The park borders the Cleland Wildlife Park, a separate facility focused on animal interaction, though the conservation park itself remains an undeveloped natural landscape. Visitors primarily use the area for bushwalking, mountain biking, and trail running. Elevations within the park reach approximately 700 meters above sea level, offering extensive views across the Adelaide plains and coastline.
The Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Summit trail provides vantage points looking westward over the Adelaide city skyline.
Download offline maps as mobile signal can be unreliable in deeper gullies.
Wear sturdy, broken-in hiking boots due to the prevalence of loose, rocky trails.
Check the CFS website for fire danger ratings, as the park may close entirely on high-risk days.
Attempting steep trails during or immediately after rain, as paths become slippery and hazardous.
The park remains open year-round but may close during days of extreme fire danger.
Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and avoid disturbing native habitat; remove all trash; dogs are prohibited.
