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
- 500 metres return
- Duration
- 30 mins return
- Suitable for
- Get to by public transport
- Moderate
- Terrain
- Steep
- Region
- Kangaroo Island
- Download maps & GPS files
- 2 GPS files
- Photos
- 4 photosJump to Photos section
- Travel options
- Bus
- Car
About the Walking Trail
Climb the 500 steps to the top of Prospect Hill, the highest point on Kangaroo Island. Enjoy rewarding views of the island, and read some of the interesting interpretive signage at the lookout. The hike isn’t long, but climbs a long set up stairs up the remnant sand dune.
The hill was named Prospect Hill as when Matthew Flinders was exploring southern Australia in 1802, he rowed to the end of Pelican Lagoon and walked to the top of the hill to view more of the island. The nearby short Investigator Trail follows his footsteps from Pelican Lagoon.
The trail begins from the carpark off Hog Bag Road.
From early 2016 until September 2019 the trail was closed as the steps had become unsafe. New steps were constructed and the trail reopened in September 2019.
Photos
Prospect Hill as seen from Hog Bay Road
Views from Prospect Hill Lookout to Pennington Bay. Photo by Wikipedian (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/17784358)
The plaque with Prospect Hill beyond. The plaque reads: "Matthew Flinders R.N. (1774 - 1814). Commander of H.M. Sloop "Investigator" discovered and on 4 April 1802 named Prospect HIll from which he was the first to sight portion of south coast of Kangaroo Island. The hidden lagoon at head of Easter Cove was named Pelican Laroon on account of the large number of birds and skeletons of that species being seing. Unveiled Pioneers Day April 1948."
Views from Prospect Hill Lookout. Photo by Wikipedian (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/17784183)