Looking for trails open after the bushfires?
5 Feb 2020: Kangaroo Island was devasted by bushfire in January 2020. Some parks and trails remain closed. View our article of 13 walking trails open post-bushfire.
- Distance
- 1 km return
- Duration
- 30 mins return
- Suitable for
- Walking, Hiking
- Grade 4, Hard Hike
- Terrain
- Steep
- Park
- Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 1 map PDF
- 2 GPS files
- Photos
- 9 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
A short hike down to Harveys Return (the bay). It follows the original route used by the lightkeepers from nearby Cape Borda. The first 350 metres follows the old horse cart track to the top of the steep trackway where a horse drawn winch was used to haul supplies up from the bay below. Keen walkers can continue down the old trackway, which is steep and a rock scramble, down to the bay.
Begin this hike from the carpark at Harveys Return campsite. The trail commences near the picnic table before Campsite #1.
Extend the hike by also walking some of the Return Road Hike which also commences from Harveys Return campsite.
Photos
Harveys Return
A cave and interpretive sign at Harveys Return
Hiking on the Harvey's Return Hike
Old remnants of the crane and machinery at Harveys Return
Remains of the old tramway that led led out to the crane (the base of which can be seen in the background), Harveys Return
Ruins of the capstain, an area where horses walked to winch supplies up the trackway
The hike descends the trackway. It's a steep rock scramble
Interpretive sign about the trackway and horse winch used to haul supplies up
Trailhead of Harveys Return Hike, before Campsite #1 at Harveys Return Campground