Longer hours announced for Happy Valley Reservoir after just a month of opening

 Happy Valley Reservoir, opened just last month, will open for longer to allow more time to  hike, fish, kayak or just head off for a picnic.

Hikers and kayakers can enjoy Happy Valley Reservoir  for longer hours after the success of its grand opening.

Kayakers, runners and fishers will have extra time to enjoy Happy Valley Reservoir over the next two weeks, during extended opening hours following large visitor numbers.

From January 17–28 the gates will open from 6.30am instead of 7.30am.

Environment Minister David Speirs said more than 50,000 people visited the reservoir since it opened to the public on December 11 for a range of activities, including walking and picnicking.

“Visitors can’t get enough of this environmental and recreational haven in the middle of the southern suburbs so we have decided to trial extended opening hours to provide even more opportunity,” he said.

The state government has spent more than $31m on works to open reservoirs, also including Myponga, Hope Valley, Little Para, Beetaloo, South Para and Warren.Kayaking, fishing, cycling, hiking and picnicking are now all available at the southern-suburbs reservoir.

The space has had a facelift for the opening, with two new kayak launch areas, car parks with trailer and kayak drop-off facilities, picnic settings and shelters, a boardwalk jetty and lookout over the water and 20km of trails.

More than 1000 catch-ready Murray cod have been released into the reservoir.

Happy Valley is one of nine reservoirs now open to the public.

David Speirs with Laila, 13, kayaking, while Ashlee, 10, and dad Dan Waye fish at the Happy Valley Reservoir, which opens to the public on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“Opening up SA’s reservoirs has generated a tremendous multiplier effect for local regions by delivering social and economic benefits, and we’re ecstatic to make Happy Valley the ninth reservoir to be transformed under our policy,” Mr Speirs said.

Mr Speirs said 300,000 people had visited the state’s reservoirs since the first – Myponga – was opened more than two years ago “proving just how incredibly popular this initiative has been.”

Locals Laila Waye, 13, sister Ashlee, 10, and dad Dan Waye enjoyed kayaking and fishing at the new park. 

Gorgeous spot now open to the public – fly over and see

Another 450ha of Mount Bold Reservoir reserve officially opens to the public on Saturday, including a network of new trails and a lookout.

It’s part of a move to gradually throw open the state’s reservoirs for public access: Happy Valley will welcome visitors from next weekend.

Mount Bold features more than 10km of new walking and running trails, a carpark, picnic areas and a lookout with views over the reservoir and Mount Lofty Ranges.

The state government has so far spent $31.5m on works to open reservoirs, also including Myponga, Hope Valley, Little Para, Beetaloo, South Para and Warren.

Environment Minister David Speirs said a lookout near the Mount Bold dam wall was already popular with sightseers and more would follow with a 450ha section of the reservoir reserve’s southern end now open to the public.

“There’s four trail grades available, ensuring it’s suitable for walkers and hikers of all levels of experience, and the new lookout and viewing platform – with decking built with recycled plastic – offers breathtaking views over the reservoir and Mount Lofty Ranges,” he said.

Mr Speirs said more than 300,000 people had visited the state’s reservoirs since they began opening up in 2019.

The new trails in Mount Bold will connect with the Kidman and Heysen long-distance trails, Willunga Basin Trail and Onkaparinga River National Park.

Visit reservoirs.sa.gov.au.