If you’re looking for a peaceful day out in nature where you will be surrounded by a forest teeming with wildlife, take a drive to Deep Creek, around 100 kilometres south of Adelaide.

As well as the Deep Creek Conservation Park (in the toe of the Fleurieu Peninsula), you can detour into a hidden gem of a plant nursery, wander through its park like setting, and even have a picnic at tables provided.

The name of the place is Raywood Nursery and it’s set amongst one of the oldest remaining stringybark and grass tree forests in South Australia. There is birdlife galore with tiny blue fairy wrens and fire tail finches darting around everywhere, and the sounds of kookaburras and corellas fill the air.

This nursery has a huge selection of plants all in excellent condition and cheap! They sell everything from roses and deciduous trees, fruit trees and best of all, an extensive range of good quality Australian native plants. Most plants you can buy as either smaller tube stock or more advanced, according to your needs.

You can grab a barrow as you enter the garden and wander around at your leisure picking up plants to buy as you go. Also sharing the walk around with you are the resident chooks, friendly characters that roam around in this heavenly little spot.

The nursery is on Tapanappa Road which you can get to from turning off the Main South Road at the Delamere General Store and following the signs. There is around 2 kilometres of dirt road to follow to get to the nursery which is tucked away, so keep your eyes open to find it. It is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10am to 4pm. You can also get there from Victor Harbor in a little under 50 kilometres.

The drive through the forest area is absolutely stunning with masses of grass trees bordering the road and kangaroos galore as well as deer all through the ancient forest.

While you’re in the area, make a day of it and take a drive into (or better yet stay in) the Stringybark campground area. This is a very serene campground with amenities and scenic walks to take through the forest. Availabilities of sites and bookings can be checked and made online before you arrive.  

Autumn is the perfect time to take a drive to Deep Creek and discover this nursery and park whether it’s just for a day or to stay and huddle around a campfire in the campground.

Enjoy

Glenys