Glenthorne National Park — Ityamaiitpinna Yarta

Glenthorne National Park - Ityamaiitpinna Yarta is a free-entry national park about 16 kilometres south of the Adelaide CBD on Majors Road, O'Halloran Hill, with wide grassed spaces, gravel walking trails and a serious adventure playground at its heart. For dog owners it is a structured on-lead walk in open country rather than a hard off-lead run, and that is exactly its appeal.

The rules

Dogs are permitted but must stay on a lead no longer than 2 metres at all times. Stick to the designated trails and paths: dogs are kept out of the sensitive restoration and conservation zones that make up much of the park's reason for being. Bring your own waste bags, because the park runs leave-no-trace with no bins, and carry everything out. The park can close on extreme fire danger days, so check the Parks SA alerts before you drive down.

What's there

The visitor hub has shelters, toilets and free barbecue areas, and wide gravel paths loop through the grassed spaces and nature play areas. The 4 kilometre trail loop climbs into the former O'Halloran Hill Recreation Park section, where the multi-use tracks pick up sweeping views across the southern suburbs to the coast. Family traffic is heavy around the playground and the two flying foxes, so a dog that is calm around kids and bikes fits best.

Max: Keep your dog close on the gravel paths. The park draws fast-moving family groups and mountain bikes, and a tight lead gives everyone room to pass.

Getting there and parking

Drive to Majors Road, O'Halloran Hill, and search Glenthorne National Park in your GPS; free on-site parking sits at the visitor hub with an accessible entrance. By public transport, Bus Stop 32 on the east side of Main South Road is about a 3-minute walk to the park, with Bus Stop 33 on the west side about 4 minutes. Gates run 8am to 7pm.

Make a day of it

The Reserve Street Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Trott Park is close by if you want an off-lead session on the way home. For a dog-friendly lunch, Boatshed Hallett Cove is a short drive north and the Old Noarlunga Hotel takes dogs in its outdoor areas.

Mornings are coolest and quietest, and after heavy rain steer the dog around the stormwater pools that collect in the rocks. More walks are on the SA dog trails guide.