Mylor to Aldgate Hike (10.2km)

The Mylor Conservation Park stands as a refuge for native vegetation in an area largely cleared for agriculture and housing. Surrounding the park is a patchwork of remnant bushland connected by vegetation corridors, both on public and private land.

The park itself offers a glimpse into the Adelaide Hills' pre-European vegetation. Sunlight filters through the open canopy of stringybark trees, reaching the diverse understorey boasting over 150 plant species. Orchids, daisies, lilies, and a variety of shrubs thrive here, alongside five sundew species that supplement their diet by catching insects.

Despite its modest size of 50 hectares, the park provides habitat for a range of animals. Listen for the calls of rare songbirds, or catch a glimpse of an echidna or the threatened yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Kangaroos and koalas are also commonly spotted by visitors.

The significance of Mylor Conservation Park lies in its rich plant diversity and the animal life it supports, standing out within the fragmented and modified landscape of the Adelaide Hills. Tucked away in a quiet location off Whitehead Road, the park offers limited visitor facilities. While there are three car parking spaces near the road, toilets are unavailable within the park itself. Public toilets and additional car parking can be found at the nearby Mylor Oval. Hikers can access the park via the Heysen Trail, or choose to create a loop trail connecting to the Mylor Parklands or the Valley of the Bandicoots trail.