9 of the best spots for hiking in Adelaide

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South Australia is known for its incredible landscapes and exploring Adelaide and surrounds on foot will give you a taste of its wild beauty.

Whether you’re looking to traverse sandstone cliffs, established boardwalks, sandy inlets or spot kangaroos grazing along trails, Adelaide is blessed with a stunning array of options for walkers in search of everything from a stroll to a more strenuous hike in the great outdoors. The only problem is deciding where to start. Here are nine of the best spots for hiking in Adelaide.

1. Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty

Where: Yurebilla Trail

Travel time from Adelaide: 35 minutes

Length: 7.8km/ 1.5-3 hours return

Difficulty: Medium

Waterfall Gully in Mount Lofty
Waterfall Gully delivers a healthy dose of nature. (Image: Ben Goodes)

Description: This is Adelaide’s version of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. A popular walk among both locals and tourists, this spot is well-equipped with signage, benches, a clear path and cafes at each end. You’ll pass a mix of leisurely walkers, runners and others in training for distant trekking and hiking.

There are a few steep sections, with a couple of hard hills, so be sure to wear sturdy exercise footwear.

Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty
Climb for views from Mount Lofty.

2. First Falls Valley

Where: Morialta Conservation Park

Travel time from Adelaide: 25 minutes

Length: 1.7km/ 45 minutes return

Difficulty: Easy

Description: Hidden within one of Adelaide’s most popular parks, this glacial trail will take you down to Morialta Gorge and deliver plenty of cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife to keep you entertained along the way.

A girl at a waterfall in Morialta Conservation Park
Breathtaking views from Morialta Conservation Park. (Image: Megan Crabb)

3. The Marion Coastal Walk

Where: Hallett Cove Boardwalk

Travel time from Adelaide: 35 minutes

Length: 10.2km return/ 4 hours

Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Description: Experience the rugged beauty of Adelaide’s coastline on this clifftop boardwalk between Marino and Hallett Cove.

There are lots of steps, pathways and boardwalks to navigate as you take the time to admire the rocky cliffs and reef platforms on the descent through numerous gullies and bends. It’s a good one for keeping fit, too – you can thank the abundance of ascending and descending stairways for that.

Sugarloaf in Hallet Cove
The Sugarloaf is a highlight of the Marion Coastal Walk. (Image: Jessica-Coulter)

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4. The River Torrens Linear Trail

Where: Torrens Lane Linear Park

Travel time from Adelaide: 25 minutes

Length: 30km/ 5 hours

Difficulty: Hard

Description: Marvel at the city of Adelaide as you explore it on foot via the River Torrens Linear Park trail – one of the most popular trails in the city. The trail will take you from the Adelaide foothills, wind its way through the CBD and finish at the coast.

For those who aren’t keen to trek the entire distance, several entry points along the trail will allow you to customise it to your preferred distance.

The River Torrens Linear Trail
The River Torrens Linear Trail.

5. Coast Park Walking Trail

Where: From North Haven to Sellicks Beach

Travel time from Adelaide: 35 minutes

Length: 70km

Difficulty: Easy (but long!)

Description: In 2018, the Government of South Australia and six local councils announced a scheme to create a 70km walking and cycling path along the metropolitan Adelaide coastline. Stretching from North Haven to Sellick’s Beach, it has been progressively developed since 1992, and construction on the last section is in its final stages.

The Coastal Park Walking Trail overlooks Sellecks Beach
Sellicks Beach marks the end of the 70-kilometre trail. (Image: Jesse Ehlers)

Start anywhere, stop anywhere, have a coffee or walk the dog along your preferred section of the trail. The walking distance between beaches ranges from 2.2 km to almost 10km.

For those keen to just tackle one section of the walk, Port Noarlunga South to Moana is the most popular stretch of the trail. It provides coastal views of Gulf St Vincent and passes through family-friendly reserves, playgrounds and picnic areas.

Surfers using the coastal walk at Port Noarlunga South
Port Noarlunga South is a great place to start, ending at Moana. (Image: Trent Martin Photography)

6. The Onkaparinga River Hike

Where: Onkaparinga River National Park

Travel time from Adelaide: 40 minutes

Length: 4.2km return/ 2.5 hours

Difficulty: Medium

Description: Beginning at Gate 15 on Chapel Hill Road, this spectacular gorge walk will take you down into valleys, underneath winding cliffs and to the edge of waterholes. The trail starts fairly easy but quickly steepens as you descend into the gorge – which is something to remember for the way back!

The Onkaparinga River Hike
The Onkaparinga River Hike.

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7. Aldgate Valley nature walk

Where: The Adelaide Hills

Travel time from Adelaide: 25 minutes

Length: 13.6km/ 3.5 hours return

Difficulty: Medium

Description: A versatile walk through native bushland. This trail connects a series of nature reserves that are all worthy of exploring on foot.

Begin at either Mylor or Aldgate and spend your hours traversing through the Mylor Parklands, Aldgate Valley, Kyle Road Nature Reserve and the Nurrutti Reserve. Stop for a bite to eat at the Aldgate Pump Hotel or the Harvest Cafe.

Be sure to also keep your eyes peeled for the variety of wildlife that call this valley home. There are the usual suspects: kangaroos, possums, koalas and echidnas, but also the southern brown bandicoot. The notoriously shy creatures can often be spotted foraging for food in the early evening.

Aldgate Valley nature walk
Sy wildlife along the Aldgate Valley nature walk.

8. Waterfall Hike

Where: Belair National Park

Travel time from Adelaide: 20 minutes

Length: 6.5km/ 3 hours return

Difficulty: Medium

Description: This scenic track guides walkers through the two Belair National Park waterfalls – the lower and the upper.

Both waterfalls are large in scale after heavy rainfall but are often down to a trickle of water for most of the year. Attempt to time your visit with a good downpour to see these waterfalls in full force.

Stand to take photos on the lower waterfall viewing platform before the walking trail takes you past the top of the upper one. There are some steep sections, particularly around Echo Tunnel, and non-fenced escarpment lookouts can mean the cliff edges are slippery at times, so be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes.

9. Sugarloaf Circuit

Where: Cleland Conservation Park

Travel time from Adelaide: 20 minutes

Length: 5.8km/ 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Description: Those with an affinity for wildlife should take note of the Sugarloaf Circuit. A trip down this escarpment often brings hikers face to face with koalas, kangaroos and an array of birds.

Park the car at Waterfall Gully Road, then follow the Chambers Gully Track. While the Sugarloaf Circuit is enough to keep you busy, you can extend the journey by following the signs to Long Ridge Lookout to check out those famous panoramic views over Adelaide City and Glenelg.

Sugarloaf Circuit
Find kangaroos grazing alongside Sugarloaf Circuit.

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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

    9 Of The Best Spots for Hiking in Adelaide | Australian Traveller