National Parks and Reserves

Nestled in the heart of Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills, Laratinga Wetlands is a beautiful place to walk (pram friendly), cycle, picnic, watch the local birdlife or just enjoy a peaceful natural environment.

Laratinga Wetlands is a man-made oasis and productive water reclamation facility that is a biodiversity hotspot and recreation hub. Several trails and boardwalks wind around the wetlands through native vegetation. The wetlands are an important habitat for a range of resident, migratory and nomadic birds with over 150 species recorded at the site – there are several bird-watching ‘hides’ for observation.

The wetland’s trails are linked to the Mount Barker Linear Trail, a seven-kilometre shared pathway that follows the creek line to Keith Stephenson Park.

The word Laratinga comes from the Peramangk name for nearby Mount Barker Creek (Lartingga-parri). The site has four murals produced by young Aboriginal artists in recognition of the Peramangk people as the traditional custodians and caretakers of the district.

Facilities include a picnic and barbeque area, shelters, seats and an environmentally friendly toilet.

Interpretive signage provides information about the Aboriginal heritage, water treatment processes, biodiversity and vegetation, with tours available for school and community groups.

Laratinga Wetlands is a 35-minute drive from central Adelaide via the South-Eastern Freeway (take the Bald Hills exit), or five minutes from Mount Barker and around fifteen minutes from Hahndorf.