Environment SA News

South Australia has confirmed its first detection of H5 bird flu in a Southern Giant Petrel at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The Southern Giant Petrel is a migratory seabird that breeds in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands between October and March. During the southern winter, these birds migrate north and can travel significant distances, including to the waters off South Australia.

Importantly, this is currently being treated as an isolated incident, and there are no detections in poultry anywhere in Australia at this time.

Avian influenza (bird flu) is a virus that can cause serious illness and death in poultry, wild birds and some mammals.

It’s important to stay alert to help protect SA from H5 bird flu.

If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Instead, take a photo or video, note the location and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.

For more information, visit: pir.sa.gov.au/birdflu

We hope you didn’t let that winter sunshine go to waste over the weekend… ☀️👀
Were you out for a brisk walk in one of our national parks, hanging out with the wildlife at Cleland, taking in the history at Adelaide Gaol or discovering one of our unique heritage places?
We’d love to see where you went. Drop your photos below 👇📸

🔓 A new chapter for Gladstone Gaol has just been unlocked that will be perfect for your next....ahem.... escape!

The historic State Heritage-listed site, which has been closed since 2022, is set to re-open with historical tours, accommodation and a café, creating new opportunities for visitors to experience this unique piece of South Australia's history.

Ghost tours will be among the first experiences on offer, and the first stage of works will include a cafe and accommodation in one of the former Senior Warden's residences.

Future works could include new visitor experiences, such as escape rooms.

The project will help preserve an important heritage place while supporting tourism and local communities in the Mid North.

Gladstone Gaol, which is located about 200 kilometres north of Adelaide, operated as a medium-security prison between 1881 and 1975, and as a military detention barracks during World War II.

Team rain or team sunshine? 🌧️☀️

After a weekend that delivered a bit of everything, we're curious - did you spend your weekend enjoying the rain or making the most of the sunshine?

Share your favourite nature moment from the weekend below 👇📸

A prescribed burn is planned at Lake Hawdon North Conservation Park on the Limestone Coast on Thursday, weather conditions permitting.

The prescribed burn will start at 11.15am on Thursday 11 June and is likely to be completed by 6pm.

Smoke may be visible within the burn area for several days.

▪️The area to be burnt is 151 hectares at Lake Hawdon North, 13km east of Robe.
▪️Aircraft will be used to help deliver this burn, which is the fourth in a series at this site.
▪️The aim of the burn is to enhance habitat for threatened species by removing vegetation from the rehabilitated lake area to provide habitat for wetland birds.
▪️No roads or trails will be closed.
▪️Smoke may be visible from Old Naracoorte Road.

National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia (NPWS) crews will remain on site until safe.

NPWS conducts a statewide program of prescribed burns to reduce the spread and intensity of bushfires, protect communities and enhance biodiversity.

Prescribed burning is just one tool used to reduce fuel loads across strategic areas of public and private land.

Prescribed burns will only be carried out when it is deemed safe to do so and may be cancelled at short notice.

For the most up-to-date information and to find a list of planned prescribed burns, visit the DEW website:
https://bit.ly/saprescribedburns

You can also sign up for updates on prescribed burns straight to your inbox: https://bit.ly/signupforfiresidenews

With: SA Country Fire Service | SA Water | Forestry SA | Landscape SA.

Imagine stumbling across a patch of glowing green mushrooms on a night walk.

After wet weather, ghost mushrooms can light up the forest floor with an eerie green glow, creating one of the state's most unusual natural spectacles.

It might sound like something from a fantasy movie, but these fascinating fungi can be found right here in South Australia, including in some of our national parks and conservation parks!

Have you ever seen ghost mushrooms in the wild?

📸 Sam Correll. Taken in 2025.

Last chance to have your say on the Draft NPWS Murray Mallee Fire Management Plan!

South Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia (NPWS) develops fire management plans which map out strategies to reduce bushfire risk, maintain and enhance biodiversity, and support bushfire suppression.

A new plan has been drafted for parks and other public lands managed by NPWS in the Murray Mallee region. To find out more, view the draft plan and offer feedback, visit the YourSAy link in the comments.

Consultation closes Wednesday 17 June 2026.

Good morning ! Long weekend check-in!

Winter may have arrived, but the weather put on a pretty good show over the weekend!

Whether you explored a national park, hit a walking trail, spotted some wildlife or simply spent time outdoors, we'd love to hear about it.

What did you get up to in nature over the long weekend? We'd love to see your photos! 👇

Quicksand has been in the news in recent days. But what is quicksand and why can it occur on beaches?

Follow the link for answers to some frequently-asked questions.

And if you're heading to the beach this weekend, take note of the signs and take care.

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/managing-adelaides-beaches/faqs

Today is World Environment Day, a global moment to recognise the importance of our environment, and the role each of us plays in protecting it.

This year’s theme focuses on climate action, highlighting that signals from our planet are clear and urgent and that our response must be urgent, too.

Encouragingly, climate action is accelerating globally, from renewable energy to climate responsive planning in cities and regions.

SA is a global leader in the green energy transition, working towards 100% net renewable energy generation by next year.

DEW is part of the momentum, helping make South Australia cooler, safer, prosperous and more liveable, now and for the future.

At DEW, we're helping create a cooler, safer and more liveable state through urban greening through Green Adelaide, biodiversity conservation, healthier rivers and coasts, sustainable park management, and initiatives that reduce future risks from floods, bushfires and coastal erosion.

Together, we're helping build a more resilient future for South Australia.

To find out more, head to environment.sa.gov.au.

A reminder nominations for the 2026 Climate Leaders Awards are now open. To enter, head to: bit.ly/climate-leaders-awards-2026