Picnicking

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Picnicking

Picnicking in the forest

Thinking of heading to the forest for a picnic? You can picnic almost anywhere within our Mount Lofty Ranges plantation forests.

If you want to enjoy a fire, you must use one of our designated firepits located within our Kuitpo and Mount Crawford Forests as below:

Kuitpo Forest: Chookarloo, The Avenues, Rocky Creek Hut or Ironbarks picnic areas
Mount Crawford Forest: Sailor’s Gully picnic area

Bookings and fees
Picnic sites are available for use from dawn until dusk, 7 days a week. All picnic areas are closed at night and on days of Total Fire Ban.

The use of all picnic areas is free of charge and available on a first-in, first-served basis. They cannot be pre-booked.

During camping season (1 April to 30 November) campsites must be booked online to be used for picnics. Booking a campsite online reserves the site for you between 12pm on day of check-in until 11am the following day. How long you choose to stay between those times is up to you.

Outside of the camping season (1 December to 31 March), campsites do not need to be booked and can be used for free as picnic sites between 8am and 4pm. Note: During this time entrance gates are closed at 4pm daily for Rocky Paddock, Chookarloo Campground and the Avenues Picnic Area.

Find out more about our Kuitpo and Mount Crawford picnic areas below.

The forest is closed to the public on declared Total Fire Ban days. To report a fire, call 000.

The Kuitpo and Mount Crawford Forests are located within the Mount Lofty Ranges Fire Ban District. For fire ban information phone 1800 362 361 or visit the CFS website. Being aware of a Total Fire Ban is your responsibility.

Fire is prohibited on ForestrySA land and Forest Reserves between November 1 and April 30 in any year. (These dates may be extended in areas where high fire danger persists).

Chookarloo picnic area

Kuitpo Forest

Enjoy a day out in eucalypt woodland, near Kuitpo’s popular Chookarloo Campground

Facilities and features

8 designated picnic sites with firepits
Hybrid toilet system with disability access
Picnic tables
Rainwater (not suitable for drinking)
Access to Chookarloo and Heysen walking trails
Picnic area with shelter and tables

How to get there
Chooklarloo Campgound and picnic area is located in the Kuitpo Forest, a short drive north from the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre at 495 Brookman Road. GPS: 35.2029° S, 138.7142° E.

The Avenues picnic area

Kuitpo Forest

Relax at this quiet spot, nestled among 1920s-planted pine and eucalypt plantation at Kuitpo.

Facilities and Features

Pit toilet
Picnic sites with designated fire pits
Access to walking trails from the car park.

How to get there
The Avenues picnic area is located on Black Nursery Road, 1km North from the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre at 495 Brookman Road.

The Ironbarks picnic area

Kuitpo Forest

Located amongst the 1898 ironbark plantation which is the oldest plantation timber in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Facilities and Features

2 picnic sites with firepits
2 picnic tables
Access to Onkeeta Trail, Heysen Trail, and Willunga Basin Trail.

How to get there
The Ironbarks picnic area is accessible via Stagecoach Lane.

Kuitpo Forest Information Centre picnic area

Kuitpo Forest

Located next door to our Kuitpo Head Office and forest visitor information centre, this popular picnic area is surrounded by 1900s-planted, heritage listed Canary Island pine trees.

Facilities and Features

Information bay
2 picnic tables
Visitor information bay
1 flushing toilet
Access to Kuitpo Forest HQ Orienteering Courses
Access to the Heysen Trail

How to get there
This Kuitpo Forest Information Centre picnic area is located next door to our offices at 495 Brookman Road, Kuitpo.

Rocky Creek picnic areas

Kuitpo Forest

Located in the area surrounding our Rocky Creek Hut, there are three picnic sites set within a picturesque pine and eucalypt plantation.

Facilities and Features

Pit toilet (shared with hut and campground)
3 picnic sites with fire pits
Rainwater (not suitable for drinking)
Access to The Eucalypts Trail and Heysen Trail
Access to The Eucalypts Orienteering Course

Please note: The fire pit and picnic table located directly outside Rocky Creek Hut are reserved exclusively for guest use only.

How to get there
From the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre, travel to Meadows then along Battunga Road towards Echunga for 4.3km. Turn Left on to Razorback Road, travel for 2.4km and park in the car park.

Sailor's Gully picnic area

Mount Crawford Forest

Facilities and Features

3 picnic sites with fire pits
2 picnic tables
Access to Warren Tower Hike and Heysen Trail

Please note: There is no toilet located at this picnic area however there is a Hybrid toilet system with disability area located not far away within Rocky Paddock Campground.

How to get there
Access to Sailor’s Gully picnic is via Tower Road.

Mount Crawford Forest Information Centre picnic area

Mount Crawford Forest

Facilities and Features

3 picnic tables
Visitor information bay
Flushing toilets
Access to Heysen Trail

How to get there
This popular picnic area is located next door to our Mount Crawford Forest Visitor Information Centre at 745 Warren Road, Williamstown.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book a picnic site?
Picnic areas are only available on a first-in, first-served basis. In order to reserve a spot for your picnic or occasion, we recommend booking a campsite which means that site is yours for 23 hours from 12pm on day of check in, until 11am the following day. However long you choose to stay between those times is up to you. By doing this, it permits you to be in the forest after dark which otherwise is an offence under the Forestry Act 1950. Book a campsite here.

Can I have a fire?
Wood fires are permitted from 1 May to 31 October. Gas fires are permitted from 1 April to 30 November. Campfires are permitted only in the designated fire pits within the campsites and picnic grounds. A responsible person must remain in attendance and ensure the fire is fully extinguished before departure. Please note: Picnic area fire pits are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis only and cannot be pre-booked. Bookings are required for the use of fire pits in campsites – book a campsite here.

Can I collect firewood?
It is recommended you bring your own firewood. Visitors may collect wood for campfires from the plantation forest floor only, near their campsites and picnic areas. It is an offence to cut standing timber.

Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome in our forests however restrictions apply in certain areas. Dogs-on-lead zones apply in busy areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. Click here for more information.

Can I have a party?
In the interest of quiet enjoyment and with respect for all forest users, ForestrySA has a zero tolerance party policy which applies when visiting our campgrounds. All guests must be respectful of others at all times and remain quiet between 10pm and 7am.