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CLICK TO CLOSE THIS WINDOW Para Wirra is one of the major recreation parks in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia. Most of the 1,409 ha park is covered with eucalypts, Long-leafed Box, Pink Gums, Blue Gums and scattered native pines, yaccas, heaths, Golden Wattles and wildflowers. There are more than 100 species of native birds, emus, galahs, rosellas, lorikeets, fantails, thornbills and wrens. Native animals include Western Grey Kangaroos, Short-beaked Echidnas, Bearded Dragons, Sleepy Lizards and Striped Skink Lizards. Para Wirra was the site of a thriving gold mining community over a hundred years ago and many historic relics of that time remain, including mineshafts, tunnels, equipment and ruins. In March 1898, 1,500 tons of ore had been stockpiled, but the first crush was an economic disaster and operations ceased in 1898. The Friends of Para Wirra volunteer group was formed in 1989, contact PO Box 110, Cockatoo Valley SA5351.