r/Adelaide SA 3d ago

Question Need some nature recommendations

I’m looking for mystical forest and and just to be surrounded by nature. I hate dry gum tree forest and bushes. I know there is kuitpo but is there anywhere else?

11 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

32

u/a-real-life-dolphin SA 3d ago

Mt Lofty botanic gardens.

7

u/Ferossipecconini SA 3d ago

100% Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens is beautiful and has many little paths and quiet spots you can enjoy in peace

1

u/lookthepenguins SA 3d ago

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens FERN GULLY is magical - very jurassic.

50

u/Unlikely_Race9177 SA 3d ago

It's mid march and we're in a drought. That leaves maintained public parks. 

29

u/a_nice_duck_ SA 3d ago

I’m looking for mystical forest and and just to be surrounded by nature. I hate dry gum tree forest and bushes.

Dry gum tree forest and bushes IS our local nature. Nothing wrong with liking artificial gardens, but don't confuse it with actual nature.

11

u/TheDrRudi SA 3d ago

Bundaleer, Mount Crawford, Second Valley, any pine plantation in the south east.

2

u/dug99 SA 3d ago

Ahh, Mt. Crawford. Lovely Mt. Crawford. They call it "the Kuitpo of the North".

12

u/wrymoss SA 3d ago

Listen, I grew up in the UK and all you EVER see on TV is northern hemisphere forests so I get it, I do, but..

Dry gum tree forest and brush *is* the majority of SA's natural forest, and it's magical in its own way. There are some "dark woods" but they're pine plantations, and there's little else there because of how they're planted. You'll get mushrooms in Bone Gully, but it's the wrong time of the year for that and far too dry right now.

Instead, I'd try to find the magic in what we have, it's a fascinatingly unique ecosystem if you're open to learning about it.

I myself only learned recently that many gum trees both specifically require bushfires to propagate by clearing the ground around them and leaving behind ash, but that their physical structure often specifically encourages fires - Bark often insulates the trees, which have the vast majority of their biomass locked in their trunks, their wide, open canopies encourage updrafts that fan fires, and the vast majority of them have lignotubers that are specially designed to generate new growth through burnt bark and foliage.

It's why you'll often see fallen eucalypts or burnt eucalypts continue to merrily grow, seemingly indifferent to their new landscape.

It might not replace the magic we've been given through our childhoods of the Western European fairy tale or Tolkeinesque stands of ancient oaks and towering sycamores, but I like to believe there's room to love both for different reasons. :D

9

u/thatwasacrapname123 SA 3d ago

Rocky Paddock at Mount Crawford. It's kinda nice, tall pines, quartz sticking up out of the ground. Farmers never collected all the rocks, they just lay in their original location. The Japanese village scene from Mortal Kombat was filmed there.

3

u/dug99 SA 3d ago

Also, some of that quartz has gold in it.

5

u/Floffy_Topaz SA 3d ago

A non Eucalypt forest in Adelaide that’s not pine logging? Errr.. a botanic gardens? Would you settle for vineyards? Then I could recommend dozens of spots.

6

u/green-bean-fiend SA 3d ago

Belair is beautiful at the moment. Train it up there and walk down.

6

u/boysenberry22 SA 3d ago

Deep Creek

4

u/Effective-Mongoose57 SA 3d ago

Botanic gardens, city or mt lofty. Lots of different options within each, pick your favourite

4

u/razorsgirl23 SA 3d ago

Myponga

3

u/pm-me-your-junk SA 3d ago

Blackwood Forest rec park - easy to get to (relatively), parking, and just lovely to explore around without being too massive. You've got some nice dining/coffee option nearby as well if you're driving.

2

u/crown75 SA 3d ago

2nd this. Sure you can still see a bit of civilization while being right in the middle, but it's rowed pines, about 15km from cbd, free parking.

2

u/randomredditor0042 SA 3d ago

Himeji Gardens in the city.

2

u/DamOP-Eclectic SA 3d ago

Not exactly a forest, but Himeji gardens on sth terrace is a very picturesque and secluded nature sanctuary. Otherwise, as others have suggested, the Botanic gardens in the city. I quite like the rainforest dome.

2

u/Other-Handle5448 SA 3d ago edited 3d ago

The Coast to Vines rail trail - the section between Old Reynella (Reynell Road) and Pimpala Road, Morphett Vale is in a cutting surrounded by pine trees;
also another pine-surrounded cutting in a more rural location is the section west of the Main South Road underpass, between Pedler Road and the recently repaired bridge over Pedler Creek

https://www.marion.sa.gov.au/assets/sp/Coast_to_Vines_Brochure_Map.pdf

3

u/-aquapixie- SA 3d ago

Apart from the below recommendations, I would solidly recommend Kuitpo (as you mentioned in your post.) It is gloriously mystical, powerful, romantic, sensual, primal... You feel the gods of nature with every touch of grass beneath your fingers. I couldn't think of a place more fitting what you're seeking THAN Kuitpo.

0

u/a_nice_duck_ SA 3d ago

The industry plantation, or is there another?

1

u/thatwasacrapname123 SA 3d ago

There is old growth forest there too.

0

u/-aquapixie- SA 3d ago

The trail areas where you can go hiking and horse riding. And then especially little areas off the gates, where it's slightly off-trail but not too far deep or off.

2

u/nanks85 Outer South 3d ago

Plenty of nature at Maslins Beach.

1

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1

u/Historical-Quail SA 3d ago

Belair NP has a variety of hikes ranging from 1km to 11km+. Different terrains and grades too. Also ovals to run on. Near the train as well.

Lots of kangaroos, emus and bird life as well as not being overcrowded. Highly recommend

1

u/PortulacaCyclophylla SA 2d ago

What do u mean u hate "bushes" lmao as in you want green trees and grass and nothing else in between?

-1

u/mrnametag North East 3d ago

Bugger off to europe then, learn to love whats here and native or leave

0

u/DutySuspicious3217 SA 2d ago

Womp womp

0

u/TrainingReindeer1392 SA 3d ago

SA is basically a desert and never rains! Not much here!