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.
Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with #walktoberSA.
View some of the other Best Walk lists to explore other great places to walk and hike.
Walks with Awesome Lookout Viewing Points
1.
Long Ridge Lookout
The lookout on the Sugarloaf in Cleland National Park provides views through the hills and over the plains.
Reach this lookout as a short sidetrip on the Sugarloaf Circuit hike (2-3 hours, 5.8km circuit) or from the Chambers Hike (3 hours, 9.6km).
2.
Waitpinga Cliffs Lookout
This spectacular lookout over the Waitpinga Cliffs is along the Heysen Trail west of Victor Harbor. The lookout makes a great lunch spot, with a picnic table. There is another lookout further along.
Hike to this lookout on the Waitpinga Cliffs Lookout to Kings Beach hike (11.5km, 4-6 hours one way). Keep an eye out for white-bellied sea-eagles, one of a just a few breeding pairs of sea-eagles on the mainland inhabit the cliffs here.
3.
Tanderra Saddle, Wilpena Pound
An escarpment lookout on Wilpena Pound, with panoramic views up Aroona Valley as it snakes away to the north.
Hike to this lookout on the St Mary Peak Hike (19km, 9 hours return). Tanderra Saddle is about 1 hour from the summit of St Mary Peak.
Quarry Track, Anstey Hill
A tough climb is rewarded with views over the suburbs and into the former quarry below. See this view on the Anstey Hill Loop (7.5km, 2-3 hours).
5.
Waite Conservation Reserve
This lookout is on the Yurrebilla Trail, and on the Waite Conservation Reserve and Brownhill Creek Loop (9.5km, 3-4 hours).
6.
Brownhill Creek Trig
Also on the Waite Conservation Reserve and Brownhill Creek Loop (9.5km, 3-4 hours), this lookout is at the top of a steep descent down Brownhill back down to Brownhill Creek.
7.
The Bluff, Victor Harbor
The Bluff provides two lookouts, one over Encounter Bay in the east, and another on the western side over Petrel Cove and the southern coast.
Hike up the Bluff on the Rosetta Trail (0.8km, 1 hour), or on the Victor Harbor Heritage Trail, Heysen Trail Spur (6km, 2 hours return).
8.
Eagles Nest Lookout, Morialta Conservation Park
The Morialta Falls Plateau Hike (4.1km, 1.5-2 hours) loops around Morialta Gorge, providing 3 lookouts, including this one at Eagles Nest, looking into the First Falls. Further around is Deep View Lookout.
9.
Burnside Walks, Checkpoint 21, near Mountview Place
This lookout is on the Burnside Walks Loop: A, B, C + D circuits (11.1km, 4 hours).
A shorter hike is the Loop of Circuit A and Circuit B (5km, 2-3 hours) with a 250 metre walk from Checkpoint 16.
10.
Sundews Lookout, Onkaparinga River National Park
Sundews Lookout provides views up Onkaparinga Gorge.
Hike to this lookout on the Sundews River Hike (5.8km, 2-4 hours) or as a sidetrip off from the easier and shorter Sundews Ridge Hike (5km, 2 hours), which also has it’s own lookout above the gorge with a picnic table.
11.
Onkaparinga Gorge from the Tatendi Hike
Situatated above Onkaparinga Gorge, this lookout point is on the Tatendi Hike. The hike has 3 options, some which descend down into the gorge.
- Moderate walking route circuit, 4.7km (walk anti-clockwise, trail along the river is easy to follow)
- Difficult walking route circuit, 6.0km (Difficult navigation and difficult terrain)
- Lookout hike, 1.5km return (easy walking route to lookout and return)
12.
West Cape Headland
An easy walk from the carpark, with 360 degree views into Pondalowie Bay and its islands.
Don’t miss the view from the lighthouse on the nearby West Cape Headland Hike (1.2km, 2 hours).
13.
Cape Spencer Lighthouse Walk
0.6km, 1 hour return
This short walk provides spectacular views from Cape Spencer, including of the Althorpe Islands.