Place Type
Reserves - National Parks,Reserves
Location
180.43kms North of Adelaide - Driving 203 km (2 hours 25 mins)
786.29kms NorthWest of Melbourne - Driving 929 km (10 hours 12 mins)
Address & Contact
Talbots Rd
Crystal Brook SA 5523
Phone: (08) 8636 2116
Email: N/A
Web: N/A
Information
Bowman Park was once a pastoral property owned by Younghusband and Ferguson, but sold to Bowman Brothers in 1852, The homestead is now part of the Bowman Park Native Fauna Section and visitors are welcome to visit the area from 8am to Sunset (locked gates at night). The park has historic buildings which date back to 1847, an excellent Australian reptile collection, a wide variety of native animals which abound during the hours after dark.
As you wander around the Park from September you may like to keep your eye out for the native bees. Many beautiful birds and flora can also be enjoyed including Native Sorrel, Chocolate lilly, Eremophlia, & Sugar Gum.
The Native Fauna Section is located on the Heysen Trail and offers visitors an opportunity to walk a short section of the trail at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges.
Walking Trails
There is an excellent brochure which outlines three walking trails through Bowman Park.
Trail 1. Walking to Bowman Park (2.8km) is a pleasant 2 1/2 hour walk which focuses on the early European settlement of the Crystal Brook area including the historic Bowman cemetery.
Trail 2. Bowman Park (1.5km) is a 75 minute walk looking at the old homestead buildings at Bowman Park including the Station Infirmary (1852), the ruins of the original homestead (1850), the Smithys Shop (1850), the Hay loft and harness store (1852), the Stables (1850) and the Buggy Shed (1850).
Trail 3. Bowman Park to Hughes Gap, (4.5km) is a 3 hour walk through the bush.