Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara is a South Australian national park in the very northern outskirts of Adelaide. The park is reasonably new, and is one of the most magnificent places to go birdwatching.

Understand

History

The SA government committed to the proposal of creating this park at the state election held in March 2014 and a formal announcement about the proposal was made later that year on 20 August 2014, including the purchase of 2,300 hectares (5,700 acres) of land formerly held by salt operators, but undeveloped, for the sum of $2 million.

Land in the localities of Windsor, Dublin and Lower Light were proclaimed as a national park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 on 27 October 2016 with the name Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara. Winaityinaityi Pangkara is the national park's name in the language of the Kaurna people, whose traditional lands include the Adelaide metropolitan area and the extent of the national park. The meaning of Winaity­i­naityi Pangkara is ​"a coun­try for all birds and the coun­try that sur­rounds these birds". You can hear the pronunciation on the national park's website.

Get in

From Adelaide City, head north onto the M2 North-South Motorway, and exit the expressway at A1 Port Wakefield Highway. From there, it's a divided highway and after 35.4 km (22.0 mi), exit (or bear left) onto the small town of Dublin, and turn left and head down for 8 km (5.0 mi) until you've arrived at Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park.

Fees and permits

There are zero fees and permits to enter this park – come and enjoy it for free.

Get around

There are gravel roads allowing you to get around the park although they aren't the most efficient.

See

• 1 Thompson's Beach, The Esplanade, Thompson Beach. Perhaps this spot has what this park is mostly known for – birdwatching. (updated Dec 2021)

Do

• Kayak through the mangroves of Garden Island.
• If by any chance you go along the Port River, there's plenty of opportunities to go dolphin spotting
• Walk the boardwalks in the park
• Birdwatching – many of the migratory birds that pass this park travel to places as far away as Siberia, the Far East or Alaska. The park's birdwatching brochure may come in handy for which birds to spot.

Buy, eat, and drink

There are no cafes, restaurants, bars, kiosks, or shops in the park and the nearest are in Gawler.

Sleep

There is no accommodation in the park, but these are some nearby areas within close proximity of Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park—Winaityinaityi Pangkara. Camping of all kinds is strictly prohibited.

Lodging

• 1 Beach serenity, 21 The Esplanade, Thompson Beach. A general typical Australian-style motel with a dining table as well as a kitchen and all the needs of a motel. Nearby the coast as well. (updated Dec 2021)

Camping

• 2 Parham Camping Ground, The Esplanade, Parham, ☏ +61 8 8527 0200. A free short-stay campground with toilets, picnic areas and an electric barbecue. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Middle Beach Caravan Park, 555 The Esplande, Middle Beach Rd, Middle Beach, ☏ +61 8 8520 2374, janinestarrs@gmail.com. A fairly decently sized caravan park, and is also the only caravan park near the park. (updated Dec 2021)

Go next

• Head back to Adelaide, the state's capital
• Port Wakefield is about 45 minutes north and serves as a gateway to the Yorke Peninsula and the Mid-North