Rainbow Gorge walk—200m return (Allow 30–45mins to explore)
Grade 3
The entrance to Rainbow Gorge is about 4km north of Monks Tank camping area. Walk 100m downstream to see a mass of white, red and yellow-stained sandstone. The creek drains into the Barcoo River via Thornleigh Creek.
Emmet Pock is in Idalia National park whick is 113kms south west of Blackall. This is a difficult walk with steep grades up and down the gorge walls but is well worth the effort. I found walking poles were worth there weight in gold. There are four walks to do while in this park all easier than this one.
Emmet Pocket walk—4.4km return (Allow 2–3hrs)
Grade 5
Beginning at Emmet Pocket lookout this steep meandering track leads into a gorge where the plains of the outback spread out before you—laid out like a map. Trees mark the waterways that stretch from rocks to river channels.
Bullock Gorge walk—2.7km return (Allow 1–2hrs)
Grade 3
The start of Bullock Gorge walk is 14.7km north of the Monks Tank camping area. Rock markers define the walk along the Gowan Range’s ridge top through bendee shrubland. Take care here, as there are steep gorges on either side.
Look for small diggings of echidnas on the track. Watch the sun rise or set over spectacular gorges and look for yellow-footed rock-wallabies. While sitting, you have a wallaby’s eye view of the herbs they seek among the forest of trunks. Remember, bring a torch for sunset walks.
The Granites
Grade 4
Distance: 1.5km return
Time: Allow 40 minutes
Visit The Granites, 10km north-west of Ten Mile Bore (pt 15km from ranger base) on the Boorara Road. Walk the 1.5km to a small outcrop of granite rocks, a unique feature of the park. Please respect the cultural significance of the area by not climbing on the granite rocks.
Budjiti Lookout
Grade 4
Distance: 360m return
Time: Allow 10 minutes
Take a short 180m walk up a rocky slope to the Budjiti Lookout and watch the sunset over an endless horizon. Located 44km north-west of the park office on the Boorara Road.
Remember to take water with you and walk carefully as the uneven track and rocks may be slippery.
Mt Cordeaux forms the Northern side of Cunningham's Gap. The track ends at a platform just below the main peak and is ideal for viewing South, down the length of Main Range National Park. There are also good views of the Moogerah Peaks, Mt Barney and North to the Mistake Mountains.
National Parks signage officially lists this walk as Grade 4 difficulty (most of the track is unsealed, with hazards such as tree roots/rocks, muddy sections and occasional tree-falls across the path). Walkers with a moderate level of fitness should find this a comfortable walk and be able to complete it in under the given timeframe.
Trails added together to increase walk time at Karawatha
Trails added together to make walk longer
Curtisli is a hard trail in some places as indicated on the maps, but worth it to reach Yagara Rocks Lookout.
True to its name this track features a variety of banksia species. Visit in autumn when the banksias are in bloom. The track begins in Frog Hollow where wet heath provides rich habitat for 23 species of frog that call Karawatha Forest home then climbs through eucalypt forest to the crest of the hill and the sandstone boulders of Poet’s Rock. This track connects with the Dianella, Wallum and Dentata tracks for a longer walking experience.
These are trails in Karawatha Forest added together for a longer walk
Mt. Nagiso is a small mountain located in the Central Alps. It lacks the alpine feel of some of the other hikes in the area such as Utsugi-dake and Kiso Koma ga Take, but nonetheless is a pretty decent hike. It sees very little foot traffic and has good views over Mt. Ena and onto Mt. Ontake. Some nice easy rock scrambling and some precarious bridges.
A moderate level trail that leads you into a world of large swamp box and blue gums, and if you are lucky enough, you may even see a shy lace monitor. Cool down as you cross Six Mile Creek and inspect a number of revegetation areas Council has been working to restore.
The River Trail follows the Sturt River through Sturt Gorge. It explores the rugged beauty of the river, including waterfalls, flowing creeks and rocky gorges.
The trail can be adventurous, with 9 river crossings and some rock scrambling. After rain expect the river to be higher, and the stepping-stones across the 9 river crossings may be underwater.
Begin on Main South Road and walk through Riverside Reserve, then along Adam’s Orchard Trail from the end of Riverside Drive, Bedford Park. Or begin at Edgar Street, Bedford Park. Follow the trail to the eastern end of Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, where the trail emerges on Coromandel Parade beside Horners Bridge. Built in 1886 Horners Bridge is a large stone arch bridge, and was the first bridge across the Sturt River. It was on the original Adelaide to Goolwa Road, which was superseeded when motor cars became popular (and the road unsuitable for fast travel).
The trail could be walked one-way by using Adelaide Metro public buses to return, from Bus Stop 28 Main South Road to Bus Stop 37B Coromandel Parade.
This 4-5 day highlight section of the Heysen Trail along the south coast is spectacular, with good campsites along the way for multi-day hikers. This highlight section starts from the southern trailhead of the Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis, following the coast to Victor Harbor. Before Victor Harbor the main Heysen Trail heads north for 1,200km to the Flinders Ranges, but a good spur trail continues into central Victor Harbor.
This track was built by volunteers in 1986 from the National Parks Assoc of Qld. The mountain is named after the chief commissioner of railways from 1880s to 1912
Out and back trail to Mount Byron that can be accessed by 4wd or added onto a walk of the Somerset Trail. Walk is initially along fire trail up and over the summit of Mount Byron before it ends on the far side from there continue along single trail to enjoy views from the cliff line on the Southern side of Mount Byron.
A short circuit walk in Freshwater National Park where many xanthorrhoea (grass trees) are on display.
This walk include spectacular wildflowers, varied birdlife and a creek that disappears beneath boulders that have fallen from the cliffs above creating a wave rock. Climb to above the lava flow for views out to the Aztec Temple and Mt Norman and see the rock pools and the creek gurgling down the crevasses.
This hike has 2 trails through some amazing Australian Eucalypt forests. The Tingalpa Creek track is short, while Venman circuit takes longer, but can connect to other parks to the NW. Can be a bit slippery after rain. Three stepping stone crossings in the wet - can be a bit slippy.
Why not drop in to the Nursey/Cafe afterwards and give Shadow a corner of your pumkin scone.