Summary

South Australia covering some of the most arid parts of the country.

Other Information

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Fees/Permits

Quite a few of the national parks in South Australia have entry fees.

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/book-and-pay

Contact details

National Parks and Wildlife Services South Australia
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/

Walking SA
https://www.walkingsa.org.au/

Walks in South Australia

Easy

7.8 km return

3 hrs

Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty summit hike

This popular walk is short and sweet. With a cafe at each end, a well made path and regular seating, this walk is popular for a reason.

On almost any morning of the year the trail attracts a range of people: some casually walking, others using it as a training walk, some runners, and others with heavy-simulated packs training for distant hiking locations like Nepal. As the walk involves some steep sections, the time taken to walk the trail can vary significantly.

On a busy weekend, car parking at Waterfall Gully can be limited.

Starting hiking from Mt Lofty instead of Waterfall Gully can be a good way to use the downhill as a warm up, to super charge your up-hill efforts.

Medium

6.5 km return

3 hrs

Waterfall Hike, Belair National Park

The most challenging trail in the park takes you through Echo Tunnel and to the picturesque rock escarpments of the Upper and Lower Waterfalls.

The falls tend to only flow after heavy rainfall.

Most of the trail is on dedicated walking trail, but a few short sections near the lower end of Queen Jubilee Drive are on fire track, and are shared trails with cyclists.

You can walk your dog in this park providing it remains under your control on a lead.

Take care at both waterfalls, the escarpment lookouts are not fenced and can be slippery near the cliff edge.

The trail starts at the Pines area.

Walks in Cleland Conservation Park

Easy

400 m return

30 mins

Discovery Walk

This short walk, just below the summit of Mount Lofty and Flinders Column, provides fantastic views of Adelaide below and an idea of the habitat here claimed by the local Bandicoots.

Walks in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park

Medium

5 km return

2 hrs

Royston Head Hike

Walk to a coastal lookout

Walks in Flinders Chase National Park

Easy

2.2 km return

1 hr

Cape du Couedic Hike

Departing from Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, this hike provides spectacular coastal cliff top views as it meanders between the Lighthouse and Admirals Arch. Discover the varied and impressive techniques that plants use to grow here. Find out about Aboriginal connections with Cape du Couedic and how they survived in this harsh environment. Contemplate the drama of being shipwrecked here 110 years ago. Look for the water pool built by the lighthouse builders and watch for those who still use it today.

Medium

17.5 km one-way

4.5 hrs

Kangaroo Island Widlerness Trail - Sanderson Section - Day 3

The trail initially heads inland, through taller shady tea trees, before heading out to Remarkable Rocks. The granite boulders appear as seemingly artistic sculptures scattered across a larger granite dome. Returning to the main trail as it heads east, remember to look back to see Remarkable Rocks from any angle no-one else sees it from, as it disappear from view on the horizon. Entering the large Sanderson Bay, you will walk along the cliffs before heading inland, into the shade and away from the winds. Nearing the campsite, there is a short sidetrip down to Sanderson Bay, which if you can play it safe makes a rewarding swim.

Medium

13 km one-way

3.5 hrs

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - Grassdale Day 4

From the access track near the campsite the trail returns to the coastal cliffs, walking past Cape Younghusband before heading inland. This section is through cooler mallee and tea trees, and is across private property as it sneaks past the million-dollar South Ocean Lodge.Take an optional short sidetrip to be rewarded with views of the idyllic Hanson Bay Beach.

Medium

18.6 km one-way

4 hrs

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - Rocky River - with new start point - Day 1

The first day’s hike starts from the the new Flinders Chase Visitor Centre, walking 6km before intersecting with the Platypus Waterholes Walk over Black Swamp, with its ancient history of megafauna, and around the Platypus Waterholes. If you’re there early in the morning sit and wait to catch a glimpse of the shy platypus at one of the eight viewing platforms. Turning west, the trail follows the Rocky River Hike along Rocky River. Pause for a moment at the rapids and rockpools along the way, and keep an eye out for wildlife coming into the water to drink.

Easy

1.2 km return

45 mins

Remarkable Rocks

A standout structure teetering on a barren granite monolith at the cliff's edge. Sculptures by wind, rain and sea stray over 500 million of years and would not look out of place in an art gallery.

Easy

3 km return

1 hr

Weirs Cove Hike

Imagine spending three months or more waiting for fresh supplies. Hike from Cape du Couedic Lighthouse to Weirs Cove to appreciate the life of the lightkeepers, not to mention their long walk to bringing the groceries home. Discover the method of landing people and supplies along this treacherous coastline.