The Great Big Gorge Walk, Yankalilla

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The Great (Big) Gorge Walk, Yankalilla

I recently found a delightful new walking trail near the charming town of Yankalilla. It starts from Garnet Kelly Reserve, at 6790 Main South Road, and it's called The Great (Big) Gorge Walk.



My research tells me that the original inhabitants of the Yankalilla area were the Ramindjeri people who occasionally met here with Kaurna people for trade and exchange. A traditional myth credits the formation of the gorge, and other Fleurieu Peninsula landforms, to the travels of Tjilbruke as he grieved, carrying the body of his nephew, from the Sturt River to Cape Jervis.

I also read the account of the remains of Diprotodon, Maesopus (a giant kangaroo) and Thylacoleo (a marsupial lion) being discovered in the 1890s, in a swamp near Yankalilla, suggesting the possibility that these animals were hunted by the Ramindjerl people.



In more recent times, Colonel William Light made his first landing on South Australian mainland soil in 1836, at nearby Rapid Bay. He declared the area "rich beyond expectation" which prompted small communities and farms to spring up in the area. Information boards along the walking trail share some of the Colonel's exploration stories.



The trail follows a signed path, and is just under 4kms return.



The surrounding cliffs are majestic and the gorge is home to the Yankalilla river. It is a modest water system, but apparently permanent, so it's easy to understand why the Ramindjeri, and later settlers, stayed nearby.



Parts of the trail pass across farmland. Although we didn't spot any sheep during our walk, apparently they are there and some of them are in the family way. As a consequence visiting dogs must be kept on a leash.



The trail crosses the river about one third the way along and there's a bench seat for rest and contemplation.



In fact, there are many pretty spots along the river to invite contemplation. Or perhaps a picnic.



There are ruins at around two-thirds along the path. The information board explains that they are popularly known as 'The Two-storey Inn' or 'The Gorge Hotel' although there are no formal records of a hotel ever being built or licensed here. One of many local mysteries, I'm sure.



The end of the trail is marked accordingly and another information board details a quote from William Light describing the valley as enchanting.



Like the colonel, I also found it enchanting and had to share it with you.

#escape_the_city
#fleurieu_peninsula
#walks
#yankalilla
%wnadelaide