- Distance
- 14.9 km circuit
- Duration
- 4-7 hours
- Suitable for
- Hiking, Trail Running
- Grade 3, Moderate Hike
- Terrain
- Steep
- Part of a longer trail
- Heysen Trail
- Park
- Mount Brown Conservation Park
- Region
- Flinders Ranges & Outback
- Download maps & GPS files
- 2 GPS files
- 3 website links
- Photos
- 22 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
A circuit hike along the Heysen Trail up to the summit of Mt Brown. The walking trails are over a gradual climb, through woodland with views across farmland and mountains.
The circuit begins by following a fire track from the trailhead at Olive Grove, past Waukarie Falls. The Falls are a very short walk off the trail. When the fire track meets the Heysen Trail, follow the Heysen Trail markers along a long ridge up to the summit of Mt Brown. Midway up the mountain, 3km from the trailhead and 100m off the trail is Bald Hill Viewpoint.
Near the summit, the circuit continues past an optional 1km side trip up to the summit. At the summit there is a lookout tower and interpretive signage. The lookout commemorates Robert Brown who was the naturalist aboard Matthew Flinders’ Investigator in 1802. Along this 15km loop trail evidence of a 1km deep canyon formed 600 million years ago can be found.
The circuit hike returns down a long ridge back to the Olive Grove trailhead. Along this trail there is geological evidence of a 1km deep canyon that was formed 600 million years ago.
The trailhead is at Olive Grove, at the end of Richman Valley Road out of Quorn.
The circuit is very well signposted, with yellow distance markers and checkpoints with maps. Download the Mount Brown Conservation Park Summit Hike brochure, or collect it from the trailhead where the Walking Trails Support Group restock the leaflets box. The alternative map, on the Walking Trails Support Group website also has Bald Hill Viewpoint marked.
Walk Options
There are a number of ways to do this hike:
- Circuit Hike, 15km, allow 4-7 hours. It is signposted in both directions, but the kilometre markers are marked clockwise, walking up the Heysen Trail and returning via a northern ridge.
- Circuit Hike without summit sidetrip, 13km, allow 4-7 hours
- Mt Brown summit and return via the Heysen Trail, 5.8km one way 11.6km return, allow 4-6 hours
- Bald Hill Viewpoint and return via the Heysen Trail, 3km one way 6km return, allow 2-4 hours
Photos
Walking trail to Mt Brown summit
Views from the Heysen Trail up to Mt Brown summit
Waukarie Falls is a short distance off the main walking trail
Waukarie Falls is a short distance off the main walking trail
Waukarie Falls
The actual trailhead is 100m from the carpark, just past Waukarie Falls. This is Checkpoint 1. There are usually printed walk brochures in the metal box, thanks to Walking Trails Support Group
There are usually printed walk brochures in the metal box, thanks to Walking Trails Support Group
Walking beside a creek between Checkpoint 2 and 3
Walking beside a creek between Checkpoint 2 and 3
Bald Hill Viewpoint on the Heysen Trail
The Heysen Trail up to Mt Brown summit
Mt Brown summit is an optional 1km sidetrip from Checkpoint 4
The walking trail between Checkpoints 1 and 6
Views of Mt Brown summit from the hiking trail between Checkpoints 1 and 6
Views from the lookout near Checkpoint 6
Walking trail between Checkpoint 6 and Checkpoint 4
Walking trail between Checkpoint 6 and Checkpoint 4
Hiking trail near Mt Brown Summit
Checkpoint 2 junction. All junctions are clearly marked
Trailhead and carpark at the end of Richman Valley Road
Trailhead and carpark at the end of Richman Valley Road. Gate 3 is here. On walking trail signage, this is referred to as the Olive Grove Trailhead (after the nearby home)
Driving along Richman Valley Road from Quorn