Bush scene, Brownhill Creek Park

The beautiful Brown Hill Creek Recreation Park is situated on the edge of Mitcham, in the foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges, eight kilometres south of Adelaide City centre, and right next to Belair. This park is a popular multi-use recreation area which is also valued for its historic and scenic attractions.

Brown Hill's narrow creek, flowing through a steep sided valley with majestic river red gums, some more than 300 years old, was once a favourite camping, hunting and gathering ground for the local Aboriginal people.

It is the site of Paladian's butterfly blip today, taken just to the side of my bush scene. Seen much more natural in LARGE where you can see where one of the trees was burned by a bush fire some years ago.

Along with the native red gums this blue gum woodland climbs the valley slopes which are dotted with golden wattle. Some of the native vegetation was cleared for crops many years ago and exotic species such as willows, oaks and poplars were introduced. However revegetation with native species is gradually progressing so that the park will return to its natural virgin scrub.

The creek valley functions as a natural corridor allowing wildlife to move between the foothills and the plains. More than 40 species of birds and mammals visit the park while others are permanent residents, such as Kookaburras, bats, possums, water rats, frogs, eastern brown snakes and occasional koalas can be seen. The park is also very popular with joggers and hikers.