Black Hill Summit Circuit Hike (4.5km)

Black Hill Conservation Park, formerly known as Black Hill National Park, is a protected area in South Australia, located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of Adelaide. This conservation park is set in a rugged bush environment with a prominent peak, bounded by steep ridges on the southern slopes.

Visitors can enjoy the undulating hills, rugged ridges, and diverse native scenery along the park's extensive network of walking trails. In spring, the park showcases a stunning array of native flowers, including many delicate and colorful orchid species. A must-see feature is the landscaped Wildflower Garden, which dates back to the late 1940s.

Covering an area of 684 hectares, Black Hill Conservation Park is named after the low sheoaks, whose foliage gradually matures to a dark rusty, almost black color as summer progresses. From the Adelaide Plains, these hills appear black, giving the park its distinctive name.

While Black Hill can be visited year-round, it is best appreciated from March to November. The summer months from December to February can be very hot, so walkers should be prepared for high temperatures.

The area is part of the traditional lands of the Kaurna people, who used it for hunting, gathering, and obtaining wood for fire and shelter during their seasonal relocation from the coast. Fire was one of their most important tools, particularly in fire management practices that encouraged vegetation regrowth. The seasonal use of Black Hill allowed game populations to recover, maintaining a relatively steady food supply.