Take some time out from the campaign to protect your Park Lands and—barring bad weather—savour the first hints of spring in one of Adelaide’s most historically significant parks.
University Foot Bridge Red Gum Park, Karrawirra Park 12
An expert guide from the Adelaide Park Lands Association will lead a small group through the lush tree canopies, rich heritage, and hidden stories of this unique urban parkland.
Meeting Point: Your guide will meet you on Sunday, August 2, at the University Boat Shed on War Memorial Drive for a walk lasting approximately two hours.
Rakali or Water Rat in Red Gum ParkKarrawirra - by Sandy Horne
Karra Wirra, meaning "river red gum forest" in the Kaurna language, sits along the banks of the River Torrens (Karrawirra Parri) and was a vital gathering, camping, and fishing spot for the Kaurna people. Early colonial survey maps even explicitly noted details like "Crayfish found here" along this stretch of the water.
The area also played a prominent role in early colonial history. Stone quarried directly from the riverbank was used to construct Adelaide’s original Legislative Building, local churches along North Terrace, and early structural walls for Government House.
Evolutionary biologist Michael Lee captured Adelaide's Grey-headed Flying Foxes surfing the River Torrens in Red Gum Park Karrawirra Park 12
As you stroll along the shaded pathways, you will discover South Australian and world history traced through a diverse range of monuments and landmarks, including:
South Australia's First Arboretum: The mature trees along War Memorial Drive are remnants of the 1920s McEwin Arboretum.
Commemorative & War Memorials: Significant sites including the Cross of Sacrifice, the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, the Boer War Memorial, and a memorial dedicated to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Memorial to the "Forgotten Australians": A poignant tribute honouring Wards of the State and forgotten institutionalised children and a memorial to Vietnamese Boat People and a bust of suffragette Mary Lee.
Modern Public Art: Contemporary sculptures including "The Space Between" and Greg Johns' "Fugue".
Historical Oddities: Fascination with past park uses, such as the commercial Snake Park and Koala Farm that operated here mid-century.
University Heritage: The progressive transition of southern portions of the park following the establishment of the University of Adelaide in 1875.
Cyclists in Park 12 - by Jan Bowman
Keep Exploring with APA in August
If this walk whets your appetite, consider joining our other two guided walks in August:
Sunday, August 16 (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM): Rundle Park / Kadlitpina (Park 13)
Sunday, August 23 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Victoria Park South / Pakapakanthi (Park 16)
Ticket & Pricing Details
APA Members: Free
Non-Members: $9.00
Concession & Children (Ages 7–15): $6.00
Children 6 & Under: Free
Book tickets in advance online via Humanitix. Friendly dogs on a lead are always welcome to join!
