A tranquil place to rest and reflect on the first inhabitants of the region has been created on a new recreational pathway running alongside Main South Road.

Walkers and cyclists on the recently opened Shared Use Path can stop off at Pedler Creek and visit the rest node that has been created.

The rest node features important symbols of Kaurna culture, including the Kaurna shield. The shield is carved into a central sandstone rock and those who look closely will also see Kaurna words carved into rocks in the space.

Other features are the painted cultural poles, which were created by local school children with guidance from a Kaurna artist.

Visitors can also read the interpretative signage to learn about the traditional activities that took place in the area such as fishing and hunting, as well as traditional food sources and ancient trade routes.

The Pedler Creek rest node is the second and final rest node that will be created on the Main South Road duplication project (stage 1). The other rest node is at Maslin Creek at Thomas and Branson Roads.

These new structures complement the artwork which adorns the project’s urban design elements such as the Tatachilla overpass, Pedler Creek bridge, Coast to Vines underpass. In addition, the Ngaltingga bridge at Port Road, Aldinga has been bestowed with the Kaurna name for the Aldinga area.

The urban artwork project was created through a co-design process with Kaurna people to ensure the artwork pieces and their placement were culturally appropriate. It aims to bring traditional stories to life for locals and visitors to the region, fostering continued learning and sharing.