12 family friendly activities in South Australia’s national parks these school holidays

There’s so many events to get involved in these school holidays thanks to the Nature Festival (6-16 October 2022). Here’s our top pick of activities designed for the whole family in South Australia’s incredible national parks.

1. Paint a boomerang at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Join park rangers and local artists for this fun and interactive children’s activity where you can paint your own boomerang. Use cultural themes and locally inspired art to paint your boomerang as you learn more about Adnyamathanha art and culture.

Where: Wilpena Pound Woolshed, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Thursday, 13 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: Kids

2. Connect to art and nature in Mount Remarkable National Park and Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Enjoy some family fun and create a deeper connection to the local environment. The session will include park ranger-guided activities and games, as well as time to explore nature through art and crafts.

Where: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Thursday, 6 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: families, kids with adults

Where: Mount Remarkable National Park
When: Friday, 7 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: families, kids with adults

3. Enjoy nature-based mindfulness activities at Morialta Conservation Park

Reconnect with nature at the Return to Nature: Mindfulness and Nature Activity Showcase in Morialta Conservation Park. Perfect for all ages, you can enjoy a range of self-paced activities including a nature scavenger hunt, guided walks, nature weaving and forest bathing.

Where: Morialta Conservation Park
When: Saturday, 8 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages (supervision required for kids under 12)

4. Join rangers on a guided night wildlife walk at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Join park rangers for an evening stroll along Wilpena Creek and look for some of the animals that call Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park home, such as western quolls and yellow-footed rock wallabies.

Where: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Monday, 10 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages

5. Learn how to use your eyes and ears to identify local feathered friends at Sandy Creek Conservation Park

Join ecological practitioner and committed ‘birdo’ Phil Barron to learn all about using your eyes and ears to identify local birds. Kids will have fun exploring nature while developing handy scientific skills and learning about the health of their environment.

Where: Sandy Creek Conservation Park
When: Thursday, 13 October
Cost: $5
Most suited to: Kids (and their adults)

6. Participate in a tag-a-long driving tour in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Headed to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park these school holidays? Join park rangers on a tag-a-long driving tour through the iconic Brachina Gorge Geological Trail. You’ll see fossils of the first animal life on Earth, and travel through hundreds of millions of years of evolution.

Where: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Wednesday, 12 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages (vehicle travel is on unsealed roads and is suited to high clearance 2WD, SUV and 4WD vehicles)

7. Step up for Conservation at Belair National Park

Hosted by Creating for Conservation Inc, this family fundraising walking event celebrates the positive actions we can all take for nature, in nature.

When: Sunday, 16 October
Where: Belair National Park
Cost: From $15
Most suited to: All ages

8. Join rangers on a guided Aboriginal Cultural Walk of Perawurtina Cultural Site

Join Park Ranger Arthur Coulthard for a guided walk around the Perawurtina Cultural Site in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. The site has many rock engravings that were made by Adnyamathanha People to pass on important knowledge such as the location of shelter, water and food resources.

Where: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Tuesday, 11 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages

9. Learn to draw with artist Gilbert Dashorst

Take the time to enjoy nature and experience the joy of drawing in 2 of Australia’s iconic parks – Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and Mount Remarkable National Park.

Where: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: Thursday, 6 October and Friday, 7 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages

Where: Mount Remarkable National Park
When: Saturday, 8 October and Sunday, 9 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: All ages

10. Explore Bat World at Botanic Park

Join the SA Flying-Fox Rescue and Education team in a guided tour around Adelaide's only flying-fox colony at Botanic Park. You will learn all about the grey-headed flying-fox and how vitally important they are to the health of our planet.

Where: Botanic Park
When: Saturday, 15 October
Cost: $2
Most suited to: All ages

11. Learn, create and explore at the Murray Lagoon Campground on Kangaroo Island

Taking a trip to Kangaroo Island? Be sure to join park rangers and explore the surrounds of the Murray Lagoon Campground. Activities include a bird watching tour, nature scavenger hunt and more!

Where: Murray Lagoon Campground, Kangaroo Island
When: Saturday, 15 October
Cost: Free
Most suited to: Kids and families

12. NPWS Park of the Month in Flinders Ranges national parks

Join in the fun of Park of the Month in our Flinders Ranges national parks. During the October school holidays there is an extensive program of activities for all ages to enjoy. Activities include arts and crafts for kids, nature journaling, guided walks, heritage tours, art exhibition and workshops plus more.

Where: Mount Remarkable National Park and Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
When: 1-16 October
Cost: Most events are free, but vehicle entry fees apply in the parks
Most suited to: All ages

If you’re looking for more ideas, be sure to check out the article 5 things to do in South Australia’s national parks these school holidays.