Nilpena Ediacara National Park welcomes back visitors

Nilpena Ediacara National Park, a true gem in South Australia's crown, reopens its gates from Friday 15 March. After a seasonal break over summer, you’re invited back to discover the park's ancient past with the launch of a brand-new Fossil Field Exploration Tour.

Tucked away on the western edge of the Flinders Ranges, roughly 500km north of Adelaide, Nilpena Ediacara stretches across 60,000 hectares of breathtaking natural beauty. But it's not just the size that makes this park stand out. It's a place of world-changing discoveries that have put South Australia on the map. So important, in fact, that it's currently a contender for World Heritage status in 2024.

What makes Nilpena Ediacara so special?

It's the site where scientists have found the oldest evidence of complex life on Earth. We're talking about a time long before dinosaurs roamed, even before the first plants took root on land. With support from global giants like NASA and led by the University of California, Riverside, the discoveries here are rewriting history books.

Immersive experiences

Tours within the park are designed to immerse you in this ancient world. The Ediacara Experience Tour offers a 2-hour journey through the park's highlights, including an audio-visual display that brings Ediacaran animals to life.

For those looking to explore a little further, the Fossil Field Exploration Tour is a must. This brand new 3.5-hour guided tour not only covers the woolshed and Blacksmith’s Shop but also takes you to the heart of our ongoing research: the fossil fields themselves. Here, you'll witness first-hand the evidence of Earth's earliest complex life.

For those looking to explore a little further, the Fossil Field Exploration Tour is a must. This brand new 3.5-hour guided tour not only covers the woolshed and Blacksmith’s Shop but also takes you to the heart of our ongoing research: the fossil fields themselves. Here, you'll witness first-hand the evidence of Earth's earliest complex life.

Planning Your Adventure

This remarkable site holds global importance and to ensure its protection and to maintain the integrity of the discoveries, visiting is possible exclusively through pre-booked guided tours available on Monday, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

For further details or to book visit Nilpena Ediacara National Park