Belair National Park

Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name = Belair National Park
iucn_category = III

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caption =
locator_x = 174
locator_y = 181
nearest_town_or_city = Adelaide
coordinates = coord|35|00|47|S|138|39|21|E|type:landmark_region:AU
area = 8.4 km²
established = 1891
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
managing_authorities = Department for Environment and Heritage
official_site = [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/belair/ Belair National Park]
Belair National Park (formerly known as Belair Recreation Park) is a national park in South Australia (Australia), 13 km south of Adelaide. It covers an 835ha area, and was the first National Park in South Australia. The park lies within the Adelaide Hills and Mitcham council area, and forms part of a chain of national park reserves located along the Adelaide Hills Face Zone. The Belair National Park is administrated by the Department for Environment and Heritage.

The Belair National Park has excellent recreation and social facilities within on outdoor environment. There are many areas of interest within the park, including Old Government House, the park Nursery, Playford Lake and the Adventure Playground. It has numerous tennis courts and ovals, and has walking, bike and horse-riding trails. The park has an outstanding presentation of the State’s native fauna, attracting visitors, showcasing the State’s park system and contributing to the community awareness of the natural environment. Some species of fauna commonly encountered in the park include the southern brown bandicoot, tawny frogmouth, brown tree frog and shingleback lizard.

Weed invasion

The first European people traversed the Belair area in 1837. In 1840, Governor Gawler raised a government farm on which sick horses and bullocks from government departments could be agisted. In 1881, a proposal was put forward for small agricultural holdings and also, the park was dedicated, making it the first National Park in South Australia. Many exotic and non-indigenous plants were introduced and are now found in the park as weeds. Numerous native plants, such as Cootamundra wattle, have become environmental weeds after being introduced into areas outside their natural range.

The Belair National Park has suffered major disturbance to its natural ecosystems and natural vegetation communities through the accidental invasion of non-indigenous plants as well as the deliberate introduction of exotic and non-indigenous plants to certain zones within the park.

Walking Trails

;Wood Duck DawdleA short circuit around Playford Lake.;Lorikeet Loop WalkA 3km circuit walk from the main car park to the Adventure Playground.;Valley Loop WalkA 3km circuit walk to Long Gully.;Microcarpa WalkA 4km circuit departing from near Playford Lake.;Waterfall HikeThe park's best walk. A 6.5 km circuit that visits the park's waterfalls and travelsto the higher areas away from the recreation areas. ;Yurrebilla TrailThe first 5km of the Yurrebilla Trail is in the Belair National Park. It begins at the Belair and continues toward the Lower Waterfall before departing the park at the Sheoak Road boundary.

ee also

* Protected areas of South Australia

External links

* [http://www.parks.sa.gov.au/belair/index.htm Belair National Park home page]
* [http://www.environment.sa.gov.au Department for Environment and Heritage home page (South Australia)]