40 Great South Australian Short Walks

by Steve Hudson (subscribe)

Short of time and tired of pounding the local pavement in order to realise your daily walk goal? Perhaps looking for inspiration from waterfalls or creeks or rivers or secret waterholes? Or do vineyards, tall forests and coastal bushes tempt ?



South Australia is blessed with an amazing network of great walking trails from the City to the Outback. With landscapes ranging from rolling hills, to dramatic coastline and rugged outback ranges, many of the trails have interesting stories to tell about the country, wildlife and history along the way.



In a job that would leave many of us with envy, Trails SA has explored most parts of South Australia to document this network of trails, and has compiled a list of the 40 Great South Australian Short Walks that vary in difficulty and length from a 45-minute gentle ramble to a five hour physical challenge.



Extensive and easily visible signage has been placed at each of the walk sites providing visitors with relevant information regarding distance, time, terrain and also a map of the walk. In addition, the list has now been published into a small pocket-sized booklet with some additional photos and a short description of each walk. Separated into ten different regions of SA, the walks are :

Adelaide
1. First Falls Valley Walk (1.6km)
2. First Falls Plateau Hike (2.5km)
3. Botanic Garden Ramble (2km)
4. Hallett Cove Glacier Hike (3km)
5. Torrens Linear Park Walk (10km)



Adelaide Hills
6. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Hike (7km)
7. Waterfall Hike (6.5km)
8. Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens (1.7km)



Barossa
9. Devils Nose Hike (2.2km)
10. Victoria Hill Hike (1.4km)
11. Hale Hike (4km)

Clare Valley
12. Bundaleer Forest Conservator's Trail (4.6km)
13. Riesling Trail (22km)



Eyre Peninsula
14. Stamford Hill Hike (1.0km)
15. Coffin Bay Oyster Walk (24km)



Fleurieu Peninsula
16. Kaiki Walk (1.5km)
17. Black Swamp Walk (3km)
18. Godfrey's Landing Walk (3km)
19. Talisker Silver Lead Mine Hike (3km)
20. Sundews Ridge Hike (4km)
21. Deep Creek Cove Hike (6km)



Flinders Ranges and Outback
22. Wirrabara Forest Old Nursery Walk (3km)
23. Alligator Gorge Walk (2km)
24. Yuluna Hike (8km)
25. Mount Ohlssen Bagge Hike (6km)
26. Mount Remarkable Hike (12km)
27. The Dutchmans Stern Hike (10km)
28. Blinman Pools (12km)



Kangaroo Island
29. Snake Lagoon Hike (3km)
30. Weirs Cove Hike (3km)



Limestone Coast
31. Journey to Gold Walk (2km)
32. Piccaninnie Ponds Outlet Walk (2km)
33. Café Buffon Walk (3km)
34. Dry Creek Trail (5km)
35. Coola Outstation Historical Walk (9km)

Riverland
36. Border Cliffs Customs House Wetland Walk (4km)
37. Whistler Walk (6km)
38. Banrock Station Wetland Boardwalk Trail (8km)

Yorke Peninsula
39. Thomson-Pfitzner Plaster Hike (7km)
40. Stenhouse Bay Lookout Hike (2km)



The majority of the walks are loops with walkers enjoying different views the full way around. And for different perspectives on each of these walks, they can be walked in different seasons and at most times of the day thus giving you a chance to also get a glimpse of that perfect sunrise or sunset. All walks are family friendly, and kids are encouraged to also get out and be active.



The 40 Great South Australian Short Walks booklet is available online or can be picked up from selected fitness stores or walking clubs throughout Adelaide.

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Why? Its time for a great walk

When: Any time

Where: Across South Australia

Cost: Free

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