From the car park you walk over a short suspension bridge. From there you can either walk down to the creek or up through the massive boulders to the lookout. There is also a cave to explore and you can explore some of the creek.
We did this as a day walk, starting at Yellow Pinch carpark around 7AM and arriving at Lower Portals about 4PM. We were told by a professional guide we bumped into at Yellow Pinch carpark that we wouldn't be able to complete our planned route in 1 day. We completed it easily in about 9 hours and taking plenty of stops, but we're experienced hikers and you need to hold a good pace. Most people would probably prefer to break it up into a 2-day walk.
A couple things you need to know first up:
1. This route starts at Yellow Pinch Carpark but finishes at Lower Portals Carpark, so you either need to pre-arrange a way to get back to your car or you have an extra walk at the end from Lower Portals back to Yellow Pinch.
2. A rope is needed to descend a couple short sections of the couloir on the western side of Leaning Peak. This is a very steep scramble through thick grass and over a few small cliffs, so only attempt if you are comfortable with doing this, as once you pass the first cliff you're pretty much committed to continuing the descent because it's difficult to get back up.
A short but steep walk to a broad summit with uninterrupted 360 degree views of the area.
This is not much of a hike. There is a solid concrete path and road that takes you directly from the train station at Shifen to the waterfall. The viewpoints around the waterfall are incredibly crowded and can somewhat disrupt the view. I recommend going early to beat the tourists.
After a steep initial incline, this walk tracks over the central east-west ridgeline of the mountain (roughly bisecting the area encircled by Sir Samuel Griffith Drive).
This walk is a great workout training. A lot of people along this track are training for possibly Kokoda and carry large packs. It is very steep, you some times see mountain bikers ride up and down.
Cross the road and continue to the track shelter showing some history of the area then onto a plaque and continue along the track to a caged mine shaft. A worthwhile walk
A walk through open bushland to the creek beds. Very enjoyable short walk.
A new trail opened in Spring 2017 as part of the Government of South Australia’s $10 million upgrade of the Adelaide’s national parks.
The 1km (2km return) trail visits a new lookout above The Punchbowl, where you can see spectacular views into the Onkaparinga Gorge. The trail is a consistent one metre wide and made of compacted gravel, and with gentle contoured gradients, so as such is suitable suitable for people of all abilities, including those with mobility access issues, wheelchairs and prams. There is some seating mid-way along the trail.
Some people using wheelchairs may require assistance on the way back up the trail to the car park.
The Hike begins from the new carpark constructed in 2017, between gates 8 and 9 on Piggott Range Road. There are toilets at the nearby Sundews Carpark, near Gate 11 on Piggott Range Road.
This trail descends from the Sundews Lookout along a contoured walking trail to the bottom of the gorge, and then follows the river downstream for 1.6km before returning via a steep fire track to the ridge and the car park.
The walk takes in two perennial waterholes, and a lookout. There are numerous glimpses into the river gorge from various parts of the trail.
The 1.6km of trail along the river is not well-formed, and involves some short rock scrambling. Current water levels and recent rainfall can impact on how hard this river section of trail is to follow. The trail is easiest to navigate when walking clockwise, as the fire trail exit is easily spotted, whereas when walking anticlockwise the walking trail exit may be harder to find.
Begins from the carpark at Gate 11 on Piggott Range Road (near junction of Upper Penneys Hill Road).
A clifftop boardwalk along the rocky coastline between Marino and Hallett Cove. Experience the unique environment along this section of Adelaide’s coastline, with rugged cliffs and rocky reef platforms. The trail follows the cliff edge, descending down numerous gullies. The trail consists of boardwalk, steps (lots) and pathways.
The walk is a good option as a regular route to keep fit, as there are numerous sets of stairs descending and ascending the numerous steep gullies which cut through the cliffs.
Follow Fourth Creek to the heart of Morialta Gorge, on the valley floor along a stroller accessible trail.
During summer the creek is dry. After autumn and winter rains, water tumbles thirty metres from the top of Morialta’s best known landmark, First Falls.
The hike begins from the top carpark, or you can commence from the lower carpark on Stradbroke Road.
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.
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.
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.
Parked car at the Cougal Cascade then walked to the old Saw Mill which is about 1.2 k easy walk on sealed path, then 150 meters up the creek we looked for a trail at the sharp bend in the river, once we found this, some good people had marked the trees with pink ribbons so we could find our track. Boyd’s View is much better than Cougal but very dangerous at the top. The walk is not difficult, it’s pretty long doing the loop but the two views are worth the trouble. We did the entire circuit and was moderate in difficulty. Here is my video which may help. https://youtu.be/cdic-lWOVss
This was my first overnight hike. It was challenging, but not ridiculous. A good beginners walk.
I highly recommend going for a dip in the creek even in Winter. It was like an ice bath for my tired muscles :)
A challenging half day circuit walk of Mount May with great views of the surrounding mountains.