Carrick Hill is a significant South Australian cultural tourism attraction, gifted to the state by Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward. It comprises a major heritage building, internationally significant art collections, original subsidiary buildings such as stables and approximately 40 hectares of land which includes approximately 26 hectares of native bushland.

Carrick Hill was modelled on the English country park, featuring clumps of trees, orchards, roses and cutting beds. The Edwardian style garden uses cellular structures such as hedges, lawn terracing and stone paving to showcase the magnificent heritage mansion and the stunning views from the lawn terraces to the city and coast.  A unique feature  in Australian garden design is the pleached pear arbour.

Beyond the house, grounds and paddocks there are over 20 hectares of natural Grey Box (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) woodland. Some of the older trees pre-date white settlement and would have been seen by Captain Mathew Flinders 200 years ago.