Onkaparinga River, Port Noarlunga, South Australia

© plainpicture/AWL/Marco Bottigell

Stairway to heaven?

Where does this seemingly endless staircase lead? To the mighty Onkaparinga River, of course – a true South Australian highlight. The river itself is crucially important to the area’s ecosystem, acting as a beautiful home to a variety of fish that breed here, as well as hundreds of native plants and animal species. The Onkaparinga River estuary is even seen as a habitat for endangered migratory birds.

It’s also a great place for us humans to visit as well. Between both Onkaparinga River Recreation Park and Onkaparinga River National Park, there are no shortage of activities to take part in or sights to see. Many locals often stroll along the wetland boardwalks, hike up to the cliff tops or find a cosy spot to camp the night. If the weather is as stunning as it looks in today’s image, kayaking is also a popular choice – providing the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of life. Sounds peaceful, doesn’t it?