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
- 4.7 km circuit
- Duration
- 2 hours return
- Suitable for
- Walking, Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking
- Grade 1, Easy Walk
- Park
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Trail manager
- National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
- Download maps & GPS files
- 1 map PDF
- 2 GPS files
- 1 website link
- Photos
- 17 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
About the Walking Trail
Platypus are rare in South Australia, but with some patience you might be in with a chance of seeing some on this walk. With viewing platforms scattered around the waterholes you can sit quietly and wait to spot the movement of a platypus. Dawn and dusk are the best times to catch a glimpse of one.
The walk begins from the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and passes the Black Swamp Lookout shelter and through Black Swamp.
Birdlife, kangaroos, wallabies, geese, echidnas and goannas are regularly seen on this walk.
A shorter walk, can be accessed from the trailhead off Shackle Road.
The trail is suitable for those with mobility issues, including wheelchair users and prams. You can start at the main trailhead at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre or from the off Shackle Road.
Although this walk is marked as being Wheelchair Accessible, some people may require assistance.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service SA Accessibility webpage has useful information about accessibility within national parks, including specific details about accessible parks, trails, picnic grounds, carparking and toilets.
Photos
Viewing platforms are scattered around the waterhole. Watch and wait quietly to see if you spot the movements of a platypus. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot one.
Viewing platforms are scattered around the waterhole. Watch and wait quietly to see if you spot the movements of a platypus. Dawn and dusk are the best times to spot one.
A quiet resting spot to sit and wait to see any platypus
Banksias on the Playpus Waterholes Walk and the Black Swamp Hike
Hiking along the trail of the Playpus Waterholes Walk and the Black Swamp Hike
Interpretive signage along the way
Silhouette shaps of megafauna that used to live in Black Swamp
The boardwalk across Black Swamp
The interpretive signs on the Playpus Waterholes Walk are very interesting to read
The trails are well signposts, so it's easy to stick to your chosen trail route
The walking path of the Platypus Waterholes Walk is quiet and shady around the waterhole loop
Trail map of the Playpus Waterholes Walk. Walkers need to walk anticlockwise (turn right)
Viewing platform to see how the trees have recovered from the bushfires
Walking along the trail of the Playpus Waterholes Walk and the Black Swamp Hike
Black Swamp Lookout shelter
All walks leave from the infomation shelter at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre