Walk
Walk
Find a Place to Walk
With over 700 trails listed, find a place to walk, hike or bushwalk across South Australia. From a 1 hour walk near your home with your dog, to a half day hike in a national park, or a longer trail further afield, you're only ever two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.
We've short listed some of the best walks below, or view all walks (765).
Park of the Month, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, May 2017
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for May 2017. There are three great hikes in the park, and another good one that extends outside of the park into the adjacent Watiparinga Reserve walking to the old railway tunnel and viaduct.
Park of the Month, Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, March 2020
Escape the hustle and bustle of the nearby city and suburbs by venturing into Sturt Gorge. There are 19 marked trails in the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and adjacent Craigburn Farm Shared Trails network, with another half dozen in the adjacent Mitcham Trail Network (Zone 4, Blackwood Hill Reserve). Most of these trails are linear or return trails, but we've outlined two of the trails and four walking loop routes.
Park of the Month
Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island
October 2019
Flinders Chase National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for October 2019. Experience the rugged wilderness with its iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Enjoy the park and its diverse wildlife on the network of walking trails. Trek the five day Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail on assisted day walks or camping out along the way. We've outlined 19 hikes and trails in the two parks.
Best Waterfall Hikes in South Australia
South Australia is a dry place, but there are still plenty of waterfalls. We've listed some of the best ones to access on hikes.
Best walks to see wildflowers and flowers in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula (updated)
Explore some walking trails for see some of this Spring's native wildflowers or other flowers. We've listed some walking trails near Adelaide in the Adelaide Hills, and in parks and reserves on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
7 Great Hikes for Warm Days
Warmer days don't necessarily mean there are no opportunities for walking. Why not try one of these seven shorter hikes, and start off early in the morning.
Walking Trails to enjoy on Kangaroo Island, supporting the KI community post-bushfire
We've listed 13 walks and trails unaffected by the 2020 Kangaroo Island Bushfires. Are you looking for ways to support the Kangaroo Island community after the devastating January bushfires? Head to the recovery and enjoy one of the many walks that are confirmed as still open.
30 Walks on the Limestone Coast
Explore the Limestone Coast on some of the many walking trail experiences. With plenty of hiking trails along the coast around Robe and Beachport, and in the Little Dip and Canunda Conservation Parks there's lots of places to discover the natural wonders of the Limestone Coast. Around Mount Gambier and northwards through the Coonawarra to Penola and Naracoorte there are walking trails that explore the natural wonders of the stringybark forests, hills and caves.
Best Lookouts on Hikes in SA
We’ve shortlisted some of the best hikes to take in views from lookouts. Hikes are a great way to grab some nature time, and lookouts are a great opportunity to pause and take life in.
Park of the Month
Para Wirra Conservation Park
The park has recently been upgraded, with upgraded trails, a nature play area, upgraded picnic areas and a new camping area. Explore 13 hikes in the park, from wheelchair accessible trails to half day hikes.
Park of the Month, Murray River National Park, September 2019
Murray River National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for September 2019. We've outlined the three walking trails in the park. Nearby there's more of the Riverland and Murray River to experience on foot, and we've included some of the best ones below.
Park of the Month, Onkaparinga River Parks, February 2020
Onkaparinga River National Park and Recreation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for February 2020. View 16 great hikes and trails in the park.
Park of the Month, Mount Remarkable National Park, June 2019
Mount Remarkable National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for June 2019. The park has three focus areas from where you can start some great hikes and trails: Mambray Creek, Alligator Gorge and Melrose.
Walks and trails in Kuitpo Forest and Kyeema Conservation Park
Explore 4 shared-use trails in Kuitpo Forest and 2 walking trails in the adjacent Kyeema Conservation Park. Kuitpo Forest is 60% plantation pine forest, with the rest native scrub. In the adjacent Kyeema Conservation Park there is dense natural scrub.
Bushwalks Close to the City for Evening Walks
Now that daylight savings has started, short after-work bushwalks are a good evening activity. We've compiled a list of 25 short hikes which are close to Adelaide.
Park of the Month
Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park – Winaityinaityi Pangkara
Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park - Winaityinaityi Pangkara - is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for November 2017. The Adelaide Shorebirds Festival is celebrating this Park of the Month throughout November. You can also see some of the birds on some of the walking trails in the park, we've outlined 5 walks and trails to see some of the shorebirds and experience the unique coastal habitats.
Walking Trails along the Coorong
Coorong National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for March 2019. We've outlined 11 walking trails that are scattered along the 130km long Coorong, both in the national park but also in small reserves and in the nearby Coorong gateway town of Meningie.
10 Great Bushwalks Accessible by Public Transport
Although so many bushwalks are best accessed by car, there are plenty of great hikes accessible by Adelaide Metro bus and train. Here's a list of 10 hikes.
60 Best Dog Walks in Adelaide
We know that having a dog encourages you to walk more, and that there are numerous health benefits to dog walking. We've short listed 60 of the best walks around Adelaide to walk your dog, including trails in national parks, forests, river walkways, linear reserves and the coast.
17 Short Walks on the Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail stretches 1,200km from Cape Jervis to the Flinders Ranges. We've listed some of the great short hikes you can walk along the Heysen Trail, ranging from a few hours to a full day.
Park of the Month
Deep Creek Conservation Park
Deep Creek Conservation Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for April 2019. The park is has an extensive network of trails for hiking, camping in five campgrounds and views of the spectacular scenery of Backstairs Passage, Kangaroo Island and the rugged Deep Creek valley. We've outlined some of the best hikes.
Best summit hikes in South Australia
Hiking up to the summit of a mountain can be a rewarding experience. On the walk up you might wonder why you undertook such an adventure, but often reaching the summit is exhilarating. We've outlined 14 of the best summit hikes in SA.
Nine new walking trails in Anstey Hill Recreation Park, Park of the Month
Anstey Hill Recreation Park is National Parks and Wildlife Service SA’s Park of the Month for March. The park has recently been upgraded as part of a $10.4m plan to upgrade and develop more walking and cycling trails, public toilets, barbecue and picnic areas, and playgrounds in national parks close to the Adelaide metropolitan area. […]
Best Overnight Hikes in South Australia
South Australia has many great hikes to undertake multi-day hikes on and camp out along the way, we've listed some great 2-3 day treks and 5 day treks below. Spend your days hiking and watch the sunset, sleeping in a tent and waking up to a chorus of birdlife on some of these spectacular hikes.
Park of the Month, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, July 2019
We’ve outlined the 18 walking trails in the park, and included the nearby Rawnsley Bluff Hike and Wilpena Pound Lookout Hikes. Discover quiet gorges with ancient Aboriginal rock engravings, wander through the Pound Gap to spot wildlife and discover the struggles early Europeans encountered with the harsh Australian conditions. Or for something more adventurous, explore the trails out to Malloga Falls, Wilkawillina Gorge or St Mary Peak/Ngarri Mudlanha.
50 Great SA Short Walks and Hikes for Kids
There are loads of great short walks and hikes around South Australia for kids, with opportunities to explore rock formations, big trees, caves, creeks, waterfalls and see wildlife. And with many taking in playgrounds, why not pack a picnic and enjoy a great family day out. We've listed some of the best ones
Park of the Month
Innes National Park
Innes National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for January 2019. We've outlined 8 walks and trails to experience the park. The park is a great destination for camping, fishing and short walks to coastal lookouts.
Bushwalks close to the city for evening hikes
With daylight savings short after-work hikes are a great way to get out and experience nature and the sunshine. We’ve updated our previous list to add 20 more hikes, showcasing 45 short hikes which are close to Adelaide. All are an hour or two, up to three hours.
50 Pram and Wheelchair Accessible Walks and Hikes
Adelaide and South Australia has many walking trails and hiking paths that are accessible to prams, strollers and people with mobility issues, including wheelchairs. We've outlined some of the best ones. As most of the walks are suitable for prams and wheelchairs, they can also be great for children to ride their bikes along with their walking parents. We've broken the list down into 3 sections: Adelaide Metro Area (29 walks), Bush Walks (13 hikes), and Regional South Australia (8 walks).
Celebrate May’s History Festival with a Historical Walk
The History Festival is being celebrated throughout May. It promotes South Australia's wonderful places, stories and collections through a range of hundreds of history-related activities. Walking on a self-guided or guided tour of one of our historic towns or neighbourhoods is a great way to experience these places and stories. We've compiled a list of the best historical walks, just grab a brochure, map, or app to get started on your walk.
Best Hikes to See Wildlife in South Australia
Going for a hike is a great way to see wildlife in their native environment. We've outlined some of the best hikes in South Australia to see different wildlife.
30 Walks and Trails across the Parks of Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island offers a variety of hikes and trails to explore the landscape and abundant wildlife. Across Kangaroo Island there are 7 national parks and conservation areas that have 30 walking trails: Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area (18 hikes) Kelly Hill Conservation Park (2 hikes) Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park […]
Park of the Month, Belair National Park, October 2018
Belair National Park is the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Park of the Month for October 2018. The park is close to Adelaide, nestled in the foothills. There are 8 hiking trails in the park, and another 2 hiking trails that pass through the park. The trails vary from Easy Walks to Hard Hikes. A couple of the Easy Walks are suitable for people of all abilities, including for wheelchair access, for those with mobility issues and for prams. The trails are of a high standard and are well marked.
8 Ways to Hike Up Mt Lofty
The well-known and popular Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty summit hike is good, but there are 7 other ways to hike up to the summit of Mt Lofty, outlined below. Some are gentler, some just as steep. Expect to see less people but more koalas and kangaroos.
30 Evening walks to enjoy now that Daylight Saving has started
With daylight savings short after-work walks are a great way to get out and experience the sunshine. We’re showcasing 30 short walks around Adelaide along rivers, the coast and metropolitan parks. All are an hour or two, or up to three hours.
News
News
Showcasing a Walking Club: Skyline Walkers
Skyline Walkers are a friendly group of 68 walkers who meet on Saturday mornings. They offer a walks all-year round program of walks, from as far north as Para Wirra and as far south as Onkaparinga and Kuitpo Forest. Weekend trips in recent years have included Mannum, Marion Bay, Clare, Penola and Normanville. Trips further afield have included Victoria's Great Ocean Walk and the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. Their summer morning walks (January to March) are for two hours located on the Adelaide Plains or seaside locations, with fairly flat terrain. Winter walks are located in the Adelaide Hills and hence include some hills. There is a choice of a two hour walk (approx six or seven km) or a three-hour walk (approx 10 km).
Posted in Walking clubs, Walking events
Walking SA Club Presidents’ Summit, Friday November 13, 2020
A get together of the key people from walking clubs and organizations of South Australia was held to develop a more cohesive and relevant strategy going forward. We had nine clubs in attendance, representing over 2,600 members from around the state, however mostly Adelaide based. The feedback seems to indicate a clear mandate to take the lead on issues and to be bolder and more coherent with our strategic vision.
Posted in Walking clubs, Walking SA organisation
Heart Foundation and Wellbeing SA to develop a Walking Strategy
Walking SA has strongly supported the collective call for a state-wide Walking Strategy which supports both walking for transport and walking for recreation. We are pleased to see that Wellbeing SA is funding the development of a Walking Strategy and that Heart Foundation will be leading the project in 2021. This is a unique and exciting opportunity that Walking SA will contribute to as a key stakeholder.
Posted in Advocating for walking, Walking for health & lifestyle
2019/20 Annual Report and AGM
Walking SA held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 22nd October at the Adelaide Town Hall, with a healthy attendance of over 70 people from member clubs, organisations and supporters. We greatly appreciate the attendance and engagement with those there on the night. View the Annual Report.
Posted in Walking SA organisation
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We know you love walking and we need your support to help us achieve our vision of seeing “more people walking more often”.
We are the peak body in SA for walking, but we’re a not-for-profit organisation with only a little help from the government so we rely on supporters, just like you, to promote walking to all South Australians.
With over 700 walking trails showcased, our website shows the work we do to improve your walking experiences.
Events
Events
A selection of upcoming walks that our member clubs are running, and public walk events and walk-for-a-cause events.
List your walking club’s events here too, it’s easy.
Clubs
Find a Walking Club
Finding a new place to go for a bushwalk and friends to go with is easy with a club. It’s also a great way to try out hiking, and meet others keen for walking.
Search through our list of 20 member walking clubs, offering a range of walking types:
- walks of a few hours
- 3-4 hour hikes
- full days bushwalks
- multi-day hikes camping along the way overnight
Heart Foundation Walking
Network of free community-based walking groups, with walks from 30 minutes to several hours.
WEA Ramblers Bushwalking Club
The Ramblers, established 1925, is affiliated with the WEA. The aim of the Ramblers Club is to bring together people who are keen walkers and lovers of nature. Day hikes from [...]
St Agnes Bushwalkers
Bushwalking, family camps, backpack camps, club meeting. Bushwalks – full day, half day, family groups. Education about and maintenance of the natural environment. Our [...]
Adelaide Bushwalkers
Adelaide Bushwalkers specialises in multi-day wilderness hiking with full packs and camping gear along with other complementary activities such as day walking, kayaking, [...]
Goannas Walking Group
A small walking group which meets on Thursday mornings. We enjoy 2-3 hour bushwalks with a picnic lunch, and shorter suburban walks over summer which end at a coffee shop for [...]
Gawler Bushwalkers
Day walk program from April through to early November, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month. Meet at Fasta Pasta Car park, Lyndoch Road. 8.00 am. Also base camping hiking [...]
Kangaroo Island Walking Club
Coastal and inland day walks monthly in various areas of Kangaroo Island. Walks are graded for high (A Grade), moderate (B Grade), and easy (C Grade) levels of fitness.
Adelaide Happy Wanderers
A range of different all day walks on the first Sunday each month. The walks are provided for gay, lesbian and interested walkers.
Friends of the Heysen Trail
Hike the entire Heysen Trail in a six-year end-to-end program, also half/full day walks elsewhere.
Retired Teachers Walking Group
The Retired Teachers Walking Group (RTWG) is an independently incorporated walking club. We welcome members who have worked in the pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary [...]
Skyline Walkers
Skyline Walkers is a walking club that meets at different locations on Saturday mornings at 9am. Each walk, led by club members, has two levels and takes approximately 2 to 3 [...]
Central Australian Bushwalking Club
The Central Australian Bushwalkers, based in Alice Springs, explore the central desert rangelands including the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.
Mid North Branch, Friends of the Heysen Trail
A branch of the Friends of the Heysen Trail, in the Mid North, which conducts a walking program. They also maintain a lengthy section of the Heysen Trail between Logans Gap [...]
Darwin Bushwalking Club
Bushwalking day/overnight including walks in Kakadu/Litchfield National Parks and beyond.
ARPA Bushwalkers
The ARPA Bushwalkers is an activity sub-group of the ARPA Active over 50s Association (SA) Inc. Each month the Bushwalkers organise over twenty day walks in and around [...]