Nantu Wama: a rural landscape in the centre of the City

Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6)

Did you know this Park is the last remaining area used for grazing in the City of Adelaide?

Opening of the riding track, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1358, circa 1939

Opening of the riding track, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1359, circa 1939

Opening of the riding track, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1357, circa 1939

Opening of the riding track, City of Adelaide Archives, HP1356, circa 1939

Kingston Terrace, State Library of South Australia, B 5606, circa 1865

The Kaurna people are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Adelaide Plains. Nantu Wama is a word from the Kaurna language, meaning “horse plain”. The language was last spoken on a daily basis in the 1860s, although in recent times the language has been revived.

This Park is unique in the City in having grazing horses, a bridal (riding) path around the Park and a rural landscape character. The Park Lands were commonly used for grazing sheep, cattle and horses. Until around 1960, those parts of the Park Lands where animals were not grazing were burnt annually rather than being mown.

This Park is the last remaining area used for grazing. You can still see some of the few remaining old gates and fence posts throughout the Park.

The Adelaide Park Lands were first laid out in Colonel William Light’s 1837 plan for Adelaide. In recognition of its significance, the layout of the City and Park Lands is now on the National Heritage List. Adelaide is the only City in the world completely surrounded by Park Lands. The Park Lands as designed by Light remain largely intact.

Light’s model of a city surrounded by Park Lands has been used widely by other towns in Australia and overseas. It is recognised as a major influence on the Garden City movement, one of the most important western urban planning initiatives in history.

This Park is a great place to appreciate the way Light’s plan responded to the topography of the Adelaide Plains. There are views to the Adelaide Hills in the distance and the terraces surrounding the Park Lands are lined with mansions which take advantage of the setting.

City of Adelaide acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We also extend that respect to other Aboriginal Language Groups and other First Nations.

Disclaimer: The information, map and materials contained in this database are for general information purposes only, and should not be relied on. The City of Adelaide make no warranties, representations or undertakings about any of the content of in this database (including, without limitation, any as to the quality, accuracy, completeness or fitness for any particular purpose of such content), or any content of any other website referred to or accessed by hyperlinks through these web pages. The City of Adelaide expressly disclaims responsibility for any damages that may be caused by the contents of this database.