Nilpena Ediacara National Park Draft Management Plan

We want to hear your feedback on a new management plan for Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

What's being decided?

The Nilpena Ediacara National Park Draft Management Plan has been developed to outline the objectives and strategies that will set the direction for the long term management of the park.

It is released for public comment to provide members of the community with an opportunity to express their views on the future management of this park, by making a written submission.

Background

Nilpena Ediacara National Park is located in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia and was proclaimed on 17 June 2021. The park includes the former Ediacara Conservation Park and at 86,000 hectares protects globally significant Ediacaran fossil sites.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park is an active paleontological research site, providing internationally valuable insights into earth’s earliest complex lifeforms. Its protected status ensures this research can continue sustainably. The park also offers visitors opportunities to connect with its values through tours and events, while its striking desert landscape serves as a dramatic backdrop for commercial film and photography projects.

Cultural heritage is strongly recognised in the park’s management, with the Department for Environment and Water partnering with the Adnyamathanha people to care for Country, protect cultural heritage and incorporate traditional knowledge.

The future management of Nilpena Ediacara National Park will focus on protecting its internationally significant fossils, conserving its unique semi-arid ecosystems, respecting and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage, supporting scientific research, and providing sustainable opportunities for education and visitation.

Get involved

To find out more:

Have your say by:

  • filling out the survey
  • emailing a submission to DEWProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au
  • posting your written submission to:

Park Planning and Visitor Experience Branch

National Parks and Public Lands Division

Department for Environment and Water

GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Hard copies of the draft plan may be inspected at or obtained at the following offices of the Department for Environment and Water:

  • Adelaide, Customer Service Centre, Ground floor, 81-95 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000
  • Flinders and Outback regional office of the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, 9 Mackay Street Port Augusta 5700

Please note: Your submission may be made publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate on the submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will be collated and used in the development of the final Nilpena Ediacara National Park Management Plan. A report detailing the findings of the consultation will be prepared and made available on this web page.

The final plan will be submitted to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for adoption. Once approved the final plan will be available at the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA website, and on this web page.

We want to hear your feedback on a new management plan for Nilpena Ediacara National Park.

What's being decided?

The Nilpena Ediacara National Park Draft Management Plan has been developed to outline the objectives and strategies that will set the direction for the long term management of the park.

It is released for public comment to provide members of the community with an opportunity to express their views on the future management of this park, by making a written submission.

Background

Nilpena Ediacara National Park is located in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia and was proclaimed on 17 June 2021. The park includes the former Ediacara Conservation Park and at 86,000 hectares protects globally significant Ediacaran fossil sites.

Nilpena Ediacara National Park is an active paleontological research site, providing internationally valuable insights into earth’s earliest complex lifeforms. Its protected status ensures this research can continue sustainably. The park also offers visitors opportunities to connect with its values through tours and events, while its striking desert landscape serves as a dramatic backdrop for commercial film and photography projects.

Cultural heritage is strongly recognised in the park’s management, with the Department for Environment and Water partnering with the Adnyamathanha people to care for Country, protect cultural heritage and incorporate traditional knowledge.

The future management of Nilpena Ediacara National Park will focus on protecting its internationally significant fossils, conserving its unique semi-arid ecosystems, respecting and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage, supporting scientific research, and providing sustainable opportunities for education and visitation.

Get involved

To find out more:

Have your say by:

  • filling out the survey
  • emailing a submission to DEWProtectedAreaManagement@sa.gov.au
  • posting your written submission to:

Park Planning and Visitor Experience Branch

National Parks and Public Lands Division

Department for Environment and Water

GPO Box 1047 ADELAIDE SA 5001

Hard copies of the draft plan may be inspected at or obtained at the following offices of the Department for Environment and Water:

  • Adelaide, Customer Service Centre, Ground floor, 81-95 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000
  • Flinders and Outback regional office of the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, 9 Mackay Street Port Augusta 5700

Please note: Your submission may be made publicly available on the Department for Environment and Water’s website unless you indicate on the submission that you wish for it to remain confidential. Any responses that are made on a confidential basis may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

Your feedback will be collated and used in the development of the final Nilpena Ediacara National Park Management Plan. A report detailing the findings of the consultation will be prepared and made available on this web page.

The final plan will be submitted to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for adoption. Once approved the final plan will be available at the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA website, and on this web page.

Page last updated: 18 Nov 2025, 12:27 PM