Walk of the month: Morphett Reserve, Woods Point
Graham Hallandal offers a guide to a little-known patch of native vegetation south of Murray Bridge.
Now is the ideal time to visit Morphett Flora and Fauna Reserve, a little-known reserve at Woods Point, where native plants are currently displaying their springtime foliage.
Morphett Reserve is an 18.3-hectare, heritage-listed conservation reserve with more than 170 local indigenous plant species.
The reserve is maintained by the Rural City of Murray Bridge and a dedicated group of local volunteers.
Ideal for bird watching and photography, Morphett Reserve is habitat to the largest number of plant species of any Murray Bridge council-owned reserve.
The reserve is located 16 kilometres from Murray Bridge, or 8km from Jervois, on the Murray Bridge to Jervois road.
There are two trails: one, of 2.1km, around the perimeter and the other, a 1.6km loop with 20 interpretive signs, inside the vegetation.
The reserve is only suitable for walking and hiking and is too sandy for bikes and wheeled disabled access.
Park opposite the entrance on the eastern side of Jervois Road, well off the road, a busy 100-kilometre-per-hour thoroughfare.
The trail path on the inside loop is not marked by markers and arrows, but easily followed by a mowed pathway.
Interpretive signs scattered along the inner trail are a good guide to the native flora and fauna you encounter.
Look out for kangaroos, brown falcons and black currawongs you may encounter that inhabit the area.
Warning: mosquitoes are out in force at present, so take and use insect repellent before you walk.
There are several sections with large areas of steep-sided conical pits.
These are the homes of the ant lion.
They inhabit the bottom of the hole, waiting for prey to fall in and become a meal for the ant.
They can survive for long periods without food and do not need to drink.
Want to walk further?
The perimeter walk around the reserve is 2.1km or, alternatively, you could stroll around nearby Woods Point and back to the reserve.
This would add 1.5km to the walk.
Exit the reserve and walk 400 metres, away from Murray Bridge and towards Jervois, via Jervois Road to Arthur Street.
Please walk towards the traffic, keeping as far as possible off the road.
There are public toilets located at the Woods Point Hall on Arthur Street.
More walks of the month
- Kinchina Conservation Park, Rocky Gully
- Hartmann Road to Highland Road, Monarto
- Mount Beevor, Tungkillo
- More walks of the month
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