Nurragi Conservation Reserve
The Nurragi Conservation Reserve occupies 69 hectares comprising a former rail reserve and associated unformed road reserves.
Containing a wide variety of wildflowers and wildlife the Reserve features a popular nature trail. The Reserve contains remnant mallee vegetation in a highly developed agricultural region. Within this region less than two percent of the native vegetation remains. There are over 300 different indigenous plant species present on the Reserve, of which over 30% are of regional significance. The Reserve forms a wildlife corridor linking the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges with Lake Alexandrina. This is very important for many bird species as it provides them with food and protective cover.
The best time to visit is during spring and early summer.
Visitors are encouraged to use the conservation reserve as a walking trail.
There are also interpretive signs present. Amenities are located nearby at Milang and Strathalbyn.
History
The Friends of Nurragi was established in 1988 to protect and restore the reserve and in 1991 the Minister of Lands dedicated the area as a Nature Conservation and Plantation Reserve under the Crown Lands Act 1929. A Heritage Agreement has since been established under the Native Vegetation Act 1991.
Management
Management of the reserve has been aided by conservation grants and the revegetation work has been performed with the help of the local primary school.
Volunteers have undertaken tasks such as feral plant control (principally bridal creeper), feral animal control, revegetation and fencing repairs.
Location
The reserve extends for 12 kilometres along the disused railway corridor from Milang, on the western shore of Lake Alexandrina, to Sandergrove on the Adelaide to Victor Harbour railway line.
Latitude-longitude -35.3724,138.9107
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Access
Nurragi Conservation Reserve can be accessed from numerous points including:
- The Sandergrove end via Goolwa Road and Tucker Road (follow Tucker Road to the end, past the railway line)
- At the Milang end adjacent the cemetery (off Weeroona Road)
- At Punkulde, or from Nurragi Road
Open
The reserve is open at all times of the year.
Enquiries
Secretary, Friends of Nurragi: (08) 8272 8496
Natural Heritage Manager, NTSA: (08) 8202 9200
Alexandrina Council: (08) 8555 7000
Milang Old School House Community Centre:(08) 8537 0687
Details
Features:
Nature Reserve
District: Milang
Operating Days: MTWTFSS