The alteration of Hallett Cove’s vegetation began in the early days of South Australian settlement.

In the 1840s, surrounding areas were logged to feed the boilers at the nearby copper mines. When the mines closed, agriculture and grazing activities spread into the area and eventually only vegetation on the poorest and shallowest soils or steepest slopes remained intact and undamaged.

Car ownership brought beach usage and holiday shacks to the coast, and this in turn led to further strains on vegetation and the introduction of various exotic garden species.

By the time the Park was proclaimed in 1976, the upper slopes of the Amphitheatre and the coastal cliff tops were the only areas where remnant vegetation remained.

Since then revegetation has been ongoing, initially using only the Park’s indigenous plant species and more recently local provenance species as a seed source.

The wide variety of soil layers and types throughout the park has caused a number of different plant communities to evolve. They are broadly represented as coastal dunes, coastal heath and grassy woodlands.

A revegetation and weed control program has addressed the widespread degradation and removal of original vegetation.

The Friends have adopted ‘bushcare’ methods in conjunction with a planting program:

• Removal of invasive woody weeds, such as olives and African boxthorn, and feral garden escapees is ongoing.
• Revegetation throughout the Park, including reconstruction of the woodland, which formerly covered the inland area, is ongoing.
• Up to 2020 approximately 35,000 plants have been planted across the Park, and considerable growth has occurred from direct seeding by the group.
• Of the Park’s 200 indigenous plant species, about 50 have been successfully included in the program.