The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park

The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park South Australia
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Entry to The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park
The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park
Nearest town or city	Quorn
Coordinates	32°19′15.59″S 137°56′46.32″E / 32.3209972°S 137.9462000°E / -32.3209972; 137.9462000Coordinates: 32°19′15.59″S 137°56′46.32″E / 32.3209972°S 137.9462000°E / -32.3209972; 137.9462000
Established	17 September 1987 (1987-09-17)
Area	36.95 km2 (14.3 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
Website	The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park
Footnotes	Coordinates
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park is a protected area located in South Australia about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north-west of the town of Quorn in the Flinders Ranges. It includes a mountain known as The Dutchmans Stern from which its name is derived.

The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park is located in the gazetted localities of Emeroo and Quorn in the Flinders Ranges about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north-west of the town centre of Quorn and 25 kilometres (16 mi) north east of the city of Port Augusta. The conservation park covers an area of 3,695 hectares (9,130 acres). The conservation park consists of a ridge of height greater than 850 metres (2,790 ft), including The Dutchmans Stern, a mountain located at the northern end of the ridge, and the land to the west, north and east sides of the ridge. The name of the conservation park is derived from a mountain named "The Dutchmans Stern" which is located within the boundaries of the conservation park. The conservation park is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area.

The conservation park was proclaimed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 in 1987 for:

the protection of its geological features, scenic values and native fauna and flora. The diversity of landforms and habitats in the reserve are significant factors contributing to its conservation value, particularly as much of the surrounding land has been used for grazing for over 100 years.

As of 1999, it was considered that the Nukunu Aboriginal people are the traditional owners with the possibility of an overlap of jurisdiction with "the Adnyamathanha to the north and with the Parnkalla to the west." The land was the subject of a pastoral lease from the 1880s until acquisition for conservation purposes in 1985. Land within the conservation park has been used as a water catchment with Stoney Creek on the eastern side being "diverted to an engineered channel" that goes to the "Mount Arden dam to supplement the Quorn water supply" while on the western side, run-off "drains into South Creek from where it is piped to serve properties" located to the west. During the 1960s, exploration was carried out in search of mineral deposits which included works such as the construction of the Dutchman Valley track on the western side of the conservation park.