Sturt Gorge Recreation Park

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is a protected area located just 13 kilometers south of Adelaide's central business district.

Established in 1973, the park spans the suburban areas of Bellevue Heights, Craigburn Farm, and Flagstaff Hill, and safeguards an exceptional geological site of great significance.

The park is home to the Sturt River, which guides visitors on a geological journey dating back to the formation of the world. It is here that the Sturt Tillite formation was discovered for the first time, providing evidence of Cryogenian glaciation, also known as the Snowball Earth, around 800 million years ago. This glaciation created the unique landform that visitors can enjoy today.

Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area, and fires of any kind are prohibited. Visitors can engage in a variety of activities such as hiking, cycling, and bird watching, surrounded by the beauty of the natural environment.

Recognizing its incredible natural beauty and geological significance, the park was listed on the former Register of the National Estate in 1980. This presents visitors with an incredible opportunity to explore some of the rarest geological formations in the world while enjoying the beauty of the Sturt River as it flows towards the Adelaide Plains.