- Distance
- 4.7 km circuit
- Duration
- 2 hours return
- Suitable for
- Walking, Hiking
- Grade 1, Easy Walk
- Park
- Flinders Chase National Park
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 1 map PDF
- 2 GPS files
- 1 website link
- Photos
- 17 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Car
- Travel time from Adelaide
- 2+ hours
28 July 2018: The map below may not be available right now, please try again later.
We are experiencing severe rate limiting imposed by Google under their new map pricing arrangements. We will be implementing a solution to ensure as many people as possible can access the walking maps.
Under Google's new pricing structure, we will incur an annual fee in excess of AUD $5,000 for a service which was previously free. As a not-for-profit body largely lead by volunteers this is not an insignificant charge. You can support our work in promoting walking and walking trails with an membership from $22 per year.
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, suitable for those with mobility issues, can be accessed from the trailhead off Shackle Road.
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
Walk Contributor
Walking SA
Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences. Our vision is to see more people walking more often.
