South Australia has many great trails 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.
Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with walktoberSA. Watch out for some more lists of best walks and hikes throughout the month.
9 hikes to hike on trails and camp out
1.
Hidden Gorge Hike, Mambray Creek
2 days
Ok, so you can do this hike as a single day loop, but why, when you can camp in the secret Hidden Gorge hikers-only campsite and experience the tranquility of Hidden Gorge by yourself.
Day 1: Mambray Creek to Hidden Gorge Campsite via Mambray and Alligator Creeks, 10.2km / 3-4 hours
Day 2: Hidden Gorge Campsite to Mambray Creek via the Battery, 7.3km / 3 hours
Discover the deep narrow gorge that is Hidden Gorge, and magnificent views from the high Battery ridge.
Where: 3 hours drive north of Adelaide in Mount Remarkable National Park.
When to hike: from May to October. Overnight hikes in Mount Remarkable National Park are not permitted during the Fire Danger Season, usually 1 November to 30 April.
3.
Eagle Waterhole Campsite on the Aaron Creek Circuit Hike
2 half days
This one is great for taking children on, or to experience as a first overnight hike. It’s only a 5.5km circuit, but with such a great hikers-only campsite located midway, why not camp out in the forest tranquility?
Day 1: Aaron Creek Picnic Area and carpark (next to Goondooloo Cottage) to Eagle Waterhole Camp Site, 2.2km / 1 hour
Optional Sidetrip: After setting up camp at Eagle Waterhole Camp Site, continue walking along the Heysen Trail and take the Aaron Creek Hike to the coast, 5.6km return from the campsite
Day 2: Eagle Waterhole Camp Site to Aaron Creek Picnic Area and carpark (next to Goondooloo Cottage), 3.8km / 1.5 – 2 hours
Experience one of the park’s hidden gems. Explore the grasslands with views and kangaroos, before descending into Aaron Creek through tall gums and scented wattles with its lush vegetation and winter waterfall.
The trail out to the coast can sometimes be overgrown, but has rewarding views of the Southern Ocean waves crashing into a rocky cove below.
Where: 1.5 hours drive south of Adelaide in Deep Creek National Park.
When to Hike: the park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
4.
Mambray Creek to Alligator Gorge Hike
As a 2-day Return Hike or 3-day Circuit Hike
The hike can be done one-way in 13km and 5 hours, or a return trip as a long day for fit hikers. The hike is ideal to camp out on, as the campsites are hike-in only, and returning to your start point avoids a complicated car shuffle.
2 Day Return Hike
Day 1: Mambray Creek to Longhill Camp (near Hidden Gorge), 14.1km. Optional sidetrip into Hidden Gorge (3km return). Make camp at Longhill Camp and make a short trip north into Alligator Gorge to the Narrows (1.3km one-way) and the Terraces (2.3km one-way).
Day 2: return to Mambray Creek, 13.8km.
3 Day Circuit Hike
Day 1: Mambray Creek to Longhill Camp (near Hidden Gorge), 14.1km
Day 2: Longhill Camp to Kingfisher Camp via the Narrows, Terraces, Battery Ridge Track and Fricks Track, 14.3km
Day 3: Kingfisher Camp to Mambray Creek via Hidden Gorge and Battery Ridge Track, 12.9km
Hike along the course of the Alligator and Mambray Creeks. The hike explores the river red gum and native pine forests that line the creeks.
Where: 3 hours drive north of Adelaide in Mount Remarkable National Park.
When to hike: from May to October. Overnight hikes in Mount Remarkable National Park are not permitted during the Fire Danger Season, usually 1 November to 30 April.
5.
Deep Creek Circuit Hike
2 half days
Although this hike can be done in one day (12km, 4-7 hour hike), with campsites at either end of the circuit its ideal for camping out on.
Day 1: Trig Campsite to Tapanappa Campsite via Deep Creek Waterfall, 4.3km / 5.5 hours
Day 2: Tapanappa Campsite to Trig Campsite via Deep Creek Cove, 7.1km / 5 hours
Visit the highlight areas of the park including the Deep Creek Waterfall and Deep Creek Cove.
The diversity of ecosystems throughout this circuit hike make it all the more enjoyable. From the Xanthorrhoea hillsides, the grassy hill tops, to the closed-in humid valley nooks, and the stands of tall eucalypts, the ecosystems offer a variety that stands in contrast to the cleared farmland further inland. Kangaroos, echindas and blue tongue lizards are plentiful.
Where: 1.5 hours drive south of Adelaide in Deep Creek National Park.
When to Hike: avoid hot summer days. The park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
6.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail (5 days)
5 days, 73km
Spend 5 days hiking the The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail along the spectacular coastline of south-west Kangaroo Island. Follow the Rocky River, walk along the wild west coast, take a side trip to Admirals Arch and the Remarkable Rocks, walk to Hanson Bay and return inland through the forests to Kelly Hill.
The trail distance is 60.4km on the main trail, with 12.6km of return side trips (73km overall).
Each campsite has tent sites for self-guided walkers, and a separate area for group tour tent sites, a communal kitchen and dining shelter, toilets and rainwater.
If you only have 4 days check out our suggested 4 day trek option.
Where: At the western tip of Kangaroo Island in Flinders Chase National Park.
When to hike: The official advice is anytime. Summer days may be too warm if there is a northerly wind, although temperatures on Kangaroo Island are generally cooler than the mainland. Walking in the height of summer increases the risk of a Catastrophic Fire Danger being declared, and walkers will be evacuated off the trail if this occurs. The official website has a section titled Trip preparation › Seasons which outlines the benefits of walking in each season.
7.
Heysen Trail South Coast
3-5 days, 73km
This 4-5 day highlight section of the Heysen Trail along the south coast is spectacular, with good campsites along the way for multi-day hikers. This highlight section starts from the southern trailhead of the Heysen Trail at Cape Jervis, following the coast to Victor Harbor. Before Victor Harbor the main Heysen Trail heads north for 1,200km to the Flinders Ranges, but a good spur trail continues into central Victor Harbor.
There are many campsites options along the trail, and a map can be purchased from the Friends of the Heysen Trail.
Where: 1.5-2 hours drive south of Adelaide, from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor via Deep Creek National Park.
When to Hike: The Heysen Trail is closed during the summer Bushfire Danger Season, which is from 1 December to 30 April in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
8.
Investigator Trail
4-5 days, 89km
A long-distance walking trail, made up a of a series of day walk trails. Explore the sheltered bays, offshore islands, mobile sand dunes and beautiful beaches.
Camp along the way in the campsites. Water supply is not guaranteed during summer months.
Where: 7 hours drive west of Adelaide on Eyre Peninsula in Lincoln National Park.
When to hike: Avoid hot summer days. The park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
9.
Walk the Yorke, Marion Bay to Pondalowie
2 days, 25km
Enjoy the spectacular coastline around the rugged foot of Yorke Peninsula in this 3-day section of the 500km Walk the Yorke trail.
Day 1: Marion Bay to Stenhouse Bay campground, 7.3km
Day 2: Stenhouse Bay campground to Casuarina campground, 17.85km
Where: 3h 15min drive west of Adelaide on Yorke Peninsula in Innes National Park
When to hike: Avoid hot summer days. The park is closed on days of Catastrophic Fire Danger and may be closed on days of Extreme Fire Danger.
