Top 10 Day Hikes in South Australia

From the rolling Flinders Ranges to the pristine white sandy beaches, South Australia offers hikers some incredible variety. With 19 national parks and plenty more conservation areas to explore, there's plenty to see in the state.

To help you plan your adventure, we’ve wrapped up 10 of the most loved day hikes in South Australia.

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Caution: Before any hike, always check relevant park management websites for updated information on track conditions, closures, or dangers.

1. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty Hike, Cleland National Park

• Duration: 3 hours

• Length: 7.9 km out and back

• Elevation Gain: 477 m

• Need to know: On busy weekends, parking at Waterfall Gully can be limited.

Located just 10 km from Adelaide City Centre, the Waterfall Gully Hike is an excellent scenic hike. Featuring a challenging climb and creeks along the way, the trail winds towards the summit of Mount Lofty. While the trail is relatively short, the payout is huge — the views from the summit sweep over Adelaide and Gulf Saint Vincent.

The trail is notoriously busy, attracting everyone from casual walkers to those training for higher peaks abroad. No matter the pace, you’re bound to find yourself short of breath and with burning calves. As a bonus, the cafe at the top is the perfect spot to refuel before making your way back down.

2. Belair Waterfall Circuit, Belair National Park

• Duration: 2 hours

• Length: 6.4 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 215 m

• Need to know: The trail is open year-round and dogs are welcome.

If you time the Belair Waterfall Circuit perfectly in spring, you'll be treated to blooming orchids and wildflowers, as well as emus, koalas, and kangaroos. The relatively easy loop track walks through an echo tunnel, past seasonal waterfalls, and rock escarpments. A few short, steep ascents and descents help keep the cardio up, but overall, this walk is pretty cruisy.

3. Mambray Creek to Alligator Gorge, Mount Remarkable National Park

• Duration: 7 hours

• Length: 27.4 km out and back

• Elevation Gain: 584 m

• Need to know: The best times to visit are April - October. The park requires a vehicle entrance fee.

Situated within Mount Remarkable National Park, the trail from Mambray Creek to Alligator Gorge meanders through native bush and through a striking gorge of towering red stone walls. The walk includes a gander at the stunning 'Terraces' — geological patterns formed in the rock from cascading water. This walk can be done one way (leave your car at Alligator Gorge), or if you're feeling really fit, it can be a challenging out and back.

4. Maupertuis Section, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail

• Duration: 5-6 hours

• Length: 20.4 km one way

• Elevation Gain: 524 m

• Need to know: Best to visit in September - October and March - April

The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is a multi-day experience that showcases some of the state’s most remote and remarkable coastlines. For a quick taste of the trail, walk the Maupertuis section, which leads from Snake Lagoon to Haikea Campground. The trail is highly accessible for most walkers as it is relatively flat. The true highlight is catching a glimpse of the island's inhabitants, such as kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies, goannas, fur seals, and sea lions.

5. Third Falls Hike, Morialta Conservation Park

• Duration: 2 hours

• Length: 6 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 283 m

• Need to know: The best time to visit this trail is December - October. It's best to walk this track clockwise.

Third Falls Hike is a beautiful loop that meanders through Morialta Conservation Park, allowing you to sample the three waterfalls in the park. That's not all, though — you'll be treated to sweeping views with dramatic cliffs and lookouts over the Morialta Gorge. Certainly not a walk to miss.

6. Wine Shanty Hike, Cleland National Park

• Duration: 3-3.5 hours

• Length: 10.5 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 404 m

• Need to know: The trail is open year-round and is not dog-friendly.

The flora and fauna of South Australia puts on a show during this day hike. With plenty of shade, it's common to hear plenty of birdsong and spot kangaroos along the way, and you might be lucky enough to see blue wrens, fantails, echidnas, and koalas. While the walk is mostly full of gentle slopes, there are slightly steeper sections to watch out for.

7. Wangara Lookout Hike, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

• Duration: 2-2.5 hours

• Length: 8 km out and back

• Elevation Gain: 227 m

• Need to know: The best time to hike this trail is March - November. No dogs allowed. You will need a Park Pass to enter the park.

This walk is a stunner, with a mix of natural and historic beauty. Meandering through river red gums and pines, you'll cross Wilpena Creek, pass a water hole, and continue onto the Hills Homestead. Sit for a spell and read about the original inhabitants and how they struggled with the harsh Australian landscape. Continue on and enjoy a few lookouts taking in the vast views.

8. Deep Creek Circuit Hike, Deep Creek National Park

• Duration: 7 hours

• Length: 10.6 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 507 m

• Need to know: This trail is open year-round and not dog-friendly. Vehicle entrance fees are required to visit the Deep Creek Conservation Park. Cellphone service is unreliable. It's recommended to travel the circuit anticlockwise.

A challenging but rewarding circuit, the Deep Creek hike takes you along the Fleurieu Peninsula, through a variety of ecosystems, hillsides, and rock valleys. After a strenuous, rocky climb, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views and waterfalls.

9. Microcarpa, Lorikeet, and Waterfall Trail Loop, Belair National Park

• Duration: 3 hours

• Length: 10.6 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 301 m

• Need to know: This trail is open year-round and dogs are welcome, on lead.

Three grand hikes are combined within Belair National Park — a great way to take in the diverse sights all at once. The hike begins on the Microcarpa, trailing through woodland areas. From there, you'll meander down the flat, easy Lorikeet trail and onto the Waterfall Hike. This is a more moderate section, with rocky terrain under seasonal waterfalls.

10. Black Hill Summit Nature Trail, Black Hill Conservation Park

• Duration: 2 hours

• Length: 4.3 km loop

• Elevation Gain: 306 m

• Need to know: The best time to hike this trail is January - November. No dogs allowed.

A beautiful nature trail filled with fantastic views and well-marked trails. A steep incline provides a bit of a workout to start the journey, but not enough to deter you from reaching the top! Kangaroos abound on the trail, and there's plenty of beautiful flora to enjoy along the way.