Aaron Creek Circuit Hike

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A 6.7km, grade-4 circuit following Aaron Creek through Deep Creek National Park's coastal ranges, taking in dense stringybark forest and views over the Southern Ocean toward Kangaroo Island.

☰ Trail details

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Distance

1.98 km

Est. time

32 min

Elevation gain

30 m

Route type

Loop

Steepest stretch: +21m over ~300m (around the 1.3km mark)

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In an emergency

Call 000 for police, fire or ambulance — Australia's emergency number works even with a weak signal, and without a SIM if any carrier has coverage.

You're in Deep Creek National Park, Delamere, Fleurieu Peninsula, SA. Mobile reception in this area is not guaranteed — this is exactly why the offline map and GPS position on this page work without signal.

Tell someone your plan and expected return time before you set off. A PLB is the most reliable backup where there's no reception at all.

Tracks & plans

+ Add to tracks / plans

Species to look for on this trail

Ancient trees and rare flora confirmed in this park. Spot one? Add it as a sighting pin below.

Deep Creek CorreaDocumented on this trail

Correa eburnea

Endangered — AUS: Endangered, SA: Vulnerable▾

Endangered — AUS: Endangered, SA: Vulnerable

Correa eburnea, commonly known as the Deep Creek correa, is a species of shrub that is endemic to the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. It has papery, elliptic to egg-shaped leaves, and up to five green, nodding flowers arranged in leaf axils.

How to spot it

Correa eburnea is a shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–4 m (3–10 ft) and has branchlets covered with rust-coloured hairs. The leaves are papery, egg-shaped to elliptical, mostly 30–50 mm (1.2–2.0 in) long on a short petiole and covered with minute white hairs on the lower surface. The flowers are arranged singly or in groups of up to five in leaf axils, each flower nodding on a pedicel about 2 mm (0.079 in) long with two round to heart-shaped bracts 10–25 mm (0.39–0.98 in) long at the b

Family Rutaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Deep Creek Correa

Photo via iNaturalist Australia (CC-BY 4.0 (Int)), collected by Thomas Mesaglio

Early SundewDocumented on this trail

Drosera praefolia

Rare — SA: Rare▾

Rare — SA: Rare

Drosera praefolia is a perennial tuberous species in the genus Drosera that is endemic to South Australia. It grows in a rosette 4 to 6 cm in diameter with green or sometimes red leaves. It is native to south-east South Australia from the southern Fleurieu Peninsula south to Kangaroo Island. It grows in lateritic clay-sand, loam, or decomposed shale soils in open woodland. It flowers from April to May.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 1991) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Droseraceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Drosera praefolia

Coral FernDocumented on this trail

Gleichenia microphylla

Restricted Trade Species — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Rare▾

Restricted Trade Species — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Rare

Gleichenia microphylla is a small fern growing in Australia and New Zealand.

How to spot it

Gleichenia microphylla's rachis on major branches has conspicuous and numerous bundles of bristles that are shiny, short, and amber to dark brown in colour. It also has less numerous and scattered fringed scales. It has 2 to 6 cm long linear ultimate branches with close-set pinnules. The undersurface of pinna-rachis has no hairs or scales.

Family Gleicheniaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Gleichenia microphylla

Slender GreenhoodDocumented on this trail

Pterostylis foliata

Vulnerable — NSW: Vulnerable, SA: Rare▾

Vulnerable — NSW: Vulnerable, SA: Rare

Pterostylis foliata, commonly known as the slender greenhood, is a species of orchid widespread in south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Flowering plants have a rosette of three to six, dark green, crinkled leaves crowded around the flowering stem and a single dark green and brown flower with a deep V-shaped sinus between the lateral sepals.

How to spot it

Pterostylis foliata is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber. Flowering plants have a rosette of between three and six dark green, crinkled leaves crowded around the base of the flowering stem, each leaf 30–80 mm long and 10–16 mm wide. A single flower 17–20 mm long and 7–9 mm wide is borne on a spike 120–300 mm high. The flowers are dark green and brown. The dorsal sepal and petals are fused, forming a hood or "galea" over the column but the dorsal sepal is longer

Family Orchidaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Pterostylis foliata

Photo via iNaturalist Australia (CC-BY-NC 4.0 (Int)), collected by mgh073

Common Hedgehog-GrassDocumented on this trail

Echinopogon ovatus

Rare — SA: Rare▾

Rare — SA: Rare

Echinopogon ovatus, or hedgehog grass, is a species of grass. It is indigenous to Australia and New Zealand. It has bluish-green tufts which grow up to around 140 cm (55 in).

How to spot it

Echinopogon ovatus is a lax, tufted grass up to 140 cm (55 in) tall. The culm is upright-decumbent, baring an ovate panicle made up of 20–30 green spikelets with finely scabrid awns. Echinopogon ovatus could be confused with Cynosurus echinatus, from which it can be distinguished by the lack of clustered spikelets.

Family Poaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Echinopogon ovatus

Tiny Pink-FingersDocumented on this trail

Caladenia pusilla

Near Threatened — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, TAS: Near Threatened, SA: Rare▾

Near Threatened — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, TAS: Near Threatened, SA: Rare

Caladenia pusilla, commonly known as tiny fingers, pygmy caladenia, tiny caladenia or pink fingers, is a plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae and is native to Australia and New Zealand. It is a ground orchid with a single erect, sparsely hairy leaf and a single pink flower with a brownish-pink back. The flowers are short-lived and self-pollinating.

How to spot it

Caladenia pusilla is a terrestrial, perennial, deciduous, herb with an underground tuber and a single erect, sparsely hairy leaf, 30–60 mm (1–2 in) long, 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide. A single flower 50–80 mm (2–3 in) long and 80–100 mm (3–4 in) wide is borne on a relatively thick spike 40–100 mm (2–4 in) tall. The flower is pink with a brownish-pink back and often a white centre. The dorsal sepal is erect at its base but curves forward and is 50–70 mm (2–3 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) wide.

Family Orchidaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Caladenia pusilla

Photo via iNaturalist Australia (CC-BY-NC 4.0 (Int)), collected by lilymack

Small Pink Sun-OrchidDocumented on this trail

Thelymitra carnea

Restricted Trade Species — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Rare▾

Restricted Trade Species — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Rare

Thelymitra carnea, commonly called tiny sun orchid or pinkish sun orchid, is a species of orchid that is native to Australia and New Zealand. It has narrow, almost cylindrical leaves and up to four relatively small pale to deep pink flowers on a wiry, zig-zag stem.

How to spot it

Thelymitra carnea is a tuberous, perennial herb with a single channelled, linear, almost cylinder-shaped leaf 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and 1–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide. Up to four pale to deep pink flowers 8–15 mm (0.3–0.6 in) wide are borne on a wiry, zig-zag flowering stem 200–350 mm (8–10 in) tall. The sepals and petals are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 3.5–4 mm (0.14–0.16 in) wide. The column is cream-coloured to reddish, 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and about 2 mm (0.08 in) wide. The lobe on the

Family Orchidaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Thelymitra carnea

Photo via iNaturalist Australia (CC-BY-NC 4.0 (Int)), collected by orchids1

Annual FernDocumented on this trail

Anogramma leptophylla

Vulnerable — TAS: Vulnerable, SA: Rare▾

Vulnerable — TAS: Vulnerable, SA: Rare

Anogramma leptophylla, sometimes called Jersey fern, is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is found worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions. A rarity in the Pteridophyta, it is a fern whose sporophyte tends to have an annual life cycle. The gametophytes of this species have the ability to become dormant and wait as much as two and a half years until conditions are appropriate for the sporophyte stage of the life-cycle.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2017) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Pteridaceae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Anogramma leptophylla

Wildlife you might see on this trail

Animals confirmed in this park. Spot one? Add it as a sighting pin below.

Bassian Thrush

Zoothera lunulata

Rare — SA: Rare▾

Rare — SA: Rare

The Bassian thrush, also known as the olive-tailed thrush, is a medium-sized mostly insectivorous thrush found from northern Queensland to southeastern Australia. It also occurs in Tasmania, on some larger islands of Bass Strait, and on Kangaroo Island. The thrushes range from 27 to 29 cm in length and average 100 g (3.5 oz) in weight.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2022) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Turdidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Bassian Thrush

Beautiful Firetail

Stagonopleura bella

Rare — SA: Rare▾

Rare — SA: Rare

The beautiful firetail is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000 km2 (390,000 sq mi). The species inhabits temperate shrubland habitats in Australia. The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.

How to spot it

At 10 to 13 cm (3.9 to 5.1 in) long and weighing 14 g (1⁄2 oz) the beautiful firetail is a small plump bird, slightly smaller than the diamond firetail. Its plumage is mostly olive-brown. The white chest has a fine pattern of dark lines. The head has a black mask with pale blue rings around the eyes and a thick red beak. Its rump is a deep red, its legs and feet are creamy pink. The wings and tail are short and rounded.

Family Estrildidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Beautiful Firetail

Cunningham's Skink

Egernia cunninghami

Endangered — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Endangered▾

Endangered — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Endangered

Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink, also known commonly as Cunningham's skink, is a species of large skink, a lizard in the family Scincidae. The species is native to southeastern Australia.

How to spot it

E. cunninghami can reach up to 40 cm (16 inches) in total length (including tail), and may be confused with the blue-tongued lizards (genus Tiliqua). Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink has a distinctive keel on each scale, which gives it a slightly spiny appearance. It is extremely variable in colour, ranging from dark brown to black, with or without blotchy patches, speckles, or narrow bands.

Family Scincidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Cunningham's Skink

Common Brushtail Possum

Trichosurus vulpecula

Endangered — SA: Rare, NT: Endangered▾

Endangered — SA: Rare, NT: Endangered

The common brushtail possum is a nocturnal, semiarboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand, and the second-largest of the Australasian possums.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2023) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Phalangeridae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Common Brushtail Possum

Black Falcon

Falco subniger

Critically Endangered — NSW: Vulnerable, VIC: Critically Endangered, SA: Rare▾

Critically Endangered — NSW: Vulnerable, VIC: Critically Endangered, SA: Rare

The black falcon is a medium-large falcon that is endemic to Australia. It can be found in all mainland states and territories and yet is regarded as Australia's most under-studied falcon.

How to spot it

The information in this section is based on recent descriptions by several authors (notably, Debus & Davies 2012, Debus & Olsen 2011, Morcombe 2002 and Birds in Backyards n.d.). Size (adult, beak to tail): 45 – 56 cm (average 50 cm), tail makes up about half the length. Note: Females are larger than males - this is a form of sexual dimorphism. Average weight: 833 g (female) 582 g (male). Wing span: 95 –115 cm. Colouration is uniform dark brown to sooty black; juveniles are generally darker than

Family Falconidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Black Falcon

Yellow-Footed Antechinus

Antechinus flavipes

Vulnerable — SA: Vulnerable▾

Vulnerable — SA: Vulnerable

The yellow-footed antechinus, also known as the mardo, is a shrew-like marsupial found in Australia. One notable feature of the species is its sexual behavior. The male yellow-footed antechinus engages in such frenzied mating that its immune system becomes compromised, resulting in stress-related death before it is one year old.

How to spot it

The yellow-footed antechinus has a geographically variable fur colour, but is generally somewhat greyish. Other notable features include a white eye-ring and a black tip to the tail. The coloration is always slate grey at the head and shoulder, with a grizzled appearance that grades to russet or yellowish fur, pale at the chin and throat and a darker tone at the rump, flank, belly, leg and foot.

Family Dasyuridae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Antechinus flavipes

Yellow-Bellied Water-Skink

Eulamprus heatwolei

Vulnerable — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Vulnerable▾

Vulnerable — ACT: Restricted Trade Species, SA: Vulnerable

The warm-temperate water-skink, Heatwole's water skink or yellow-bellied water skink is a species of skink found in New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It lives in rocky habitats, preferring those near water such as bogs, swamps, creek and river margins. It can also be found on dry and wet forests, open woodlands and heathlands, commonly seen basking on waterside logs and rocks.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2000) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Scincidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Eulamprus heatwolei

Flame Robin

Petroica phoenicea

Vulnerable — NSW: Vulnerable, SA: Vulnerable▾

Vulnerable — NSW: Vulnerable, SA: Vulnerable

The flame robin is a small passerine bird native to Australia. It is a moderately common resident of the coolest parts of south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Like the other two red-breasted Petroica robins—the scarlet robin and the red-capped robin—it is often simply called the robin redbreast. Like many brightly coloured robins of the Petroicidae, it is sexually dimorphic. Measuring 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) long, the flame robin has dark brown eyes and a small thin black bill. The male has a brilliant orange-red chest and throat, and a white patch on the forehead above the bill. Its upper parts are iron-grey with white bars, and its tail black with white tips. Female coloration is a muted grey-brown. Its song has been described as the most musical of its genus.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2025) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Petroicidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Petroica phoenicea

Swamp Rat

Rattus lutreolus

Rare — SA: Rare▾

Rare — SA: Rare

The Australian swamp rat, also known as the eastern swamp rat, is a species of rat native to the coasts of southern and eastern Australia.

How to spot it

The Australian swamp rat grows to have a body length of approximately 160 millimetres (6 in) with a tail length of approximately 110 mm (4.3 in) and a mass of about 120 grams (4 oz). It has a stocky build with black-brown fur and black feet. Its ventral surface is cream to brown color and it has small ears nearly concealed by hair. The tail is dark grey, scaly and sparsely haired.

Family Muridae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Rattus lutreolus

Blue-Winged Parrot

Neophema chrysostoma

Vulnerable — AUS: Vulnerable, NSW: Vulnerable, QLD: Vulnerable, VIC: Vulnerable, SA: Vulnerable▾

Vulnerable — AUS: Vulnerable, NSW: Vulnerable, QLD: Vulnerable, VIC: Vulnerable, SA: Vulnerable

The blue-winged parrot, also known as the blue-banded parakeet or blue-banded grass-parakeet, is a small parrot found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia. It is partly migratory, with populations of blue-winged parrots travelling to Tasmania for the summer. The parrot is sexually dimorphic – the males have more blue on the wings and a two-toned blue frontal band on the head, while females are duller and have more green on the wings and a wingbar. Both sexes have predominantly olive-green plumage. Predominantly a feeder on the ground, the blue-winged parrot mainly eats seeds of grasses. It adapts readily to captivity.

How to spot it

Real occurrence confirmed near Deep Creek National Park (Atlas of Living Australia, 2019) — no separate physical description was available on Wikipedia for this species, see the source link for more.

Family Psittacidae · Source: Atlas of Living Australia + Wikipedia: Neophema chrysostoma

Western Grey Kangaroo

Macropus fuliginosus

IUCN Least Concern▾

IUCN Least Concern

A large, common kangaroo of southern Australia, ranging from south of Shark Bay across coastal Western Australia and South Australia into western Victoria and the Murray-Darling basin; it does not occur in Tasmania or far north Queensland.

How to spot it

Distinguished from the eastern grey kangaroo by darker grey-brown fur, darker colouration around the head, and sometimes a blackish patch near the elbow. Males can be up to twice the size of females; look for them grazing in open woodland, coastal heath and farmland edges across the southern mainland.

Family Macropodidae · Source: Wikipedia

Photo: Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons