The National Pari 
Its Attractions. 
By C. P. Hodge 
IN 1891 an Act of Parliament was passed to establish a 
national recreation and pleasure ground for the use of the 
inhabitants of South Australia. Fortunately, a large tract of 
country situated in one of the most beautiful localities in the hills 
was obtained. 
No other State in Australia is so fortunate in the situation 
of its National Park, for here it is possible to enjoy the pleasures 
of virgin scrub country after a brief journey of twenty minutes 
by motor car, or forty-five minutes by train. 
The management of the Park was vested in Commissioners 
appointed by the Government, and to provide the necessary 
conveniences for visitors an annual grant was made available 
by Parliament. With the money thus obtained, improvements 
have gradually been effected. 
It would be difficult to imagine an area of land better adapted 
by Nature as a pleasure resort. A bituminous road runs from 
the entrance at Relair Railway Station throughout the Park to 
Long Gully and Karka, a distance of three miles. This road 
follows, for the most part, flat country, bounded on either side 
by well-wooded hills, making a very picturesque drive, which is 
availed of by thousands each year. 
Most of the improvements effected have been confined to 
this relatively flat area, which lends itself to beautiful picnic 
grounds.^ Three large pavilions, capable of accommodating from 
two to four hundred people, have been erected, besides thirty- 
two arbours for the convenience of smaller parties. 
Since the advent of motor transport, most people visit the 
Park by this means, but a new stopping-place on the railway to 
serve the Long Gully and Karka ends of the Park, is in course 
of construction, and when completed those travelling by train 
will be able to reach Long Gully Pavilion after a walk of only 
280 yards, instead of one mile as heretofore. 
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