List of Bushwalks in Cleland

Environment

Bus

Starting from the Gate 18 car park on Shurdington Road, Crafers, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Lofty via the S.P.A Track, Birriee Track, Carro Track, Nangare Track, and Waterfall Gully Trail. This trail is a gentler, more undulating alternative to the steep and popular trail from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty, providing the option for visitors to walk or cycle from Crafers to Mount Lofty, avoiding the busy roads to get there. The trail meanders along Cleland National Park's fire tracks and newly formed shared-use trails, passing through eucalypt forest and bushland, ending at the Mount Lofty summit lookout, which provides panoramic views of the Adelaide city skyline and the coast beyond. Visitors can either leave a car at both ends, arrange a lift from the Mount Lofty car park or return via the same route. This walk consists of gently undulating fire tracks and shared-use trails, with some short steep hills and uneven natural surfaces, suitable for average fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Crafers to Mount Lofty

5 km oneway

1 h to 1 h 30 min

Crafers to Mount Lofty

Birdwatching

Environment

Starting from the parking area at Measdays Lookout on Mount Barker Road, Crafers West, this walk takes you on a circuit through the southern end of the Cleland Conservation Park. As you descend to the gully, you’ll reach the lovely creek and follow it through its length before crossing it and returning along the other side. This hike involves several creek crossings, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. The tracks are generally wide and well-formed, with some uneven and rocky sections. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Measday Hike

5.4 km circuit

2 h to 2 h 45 min

Environment

Starting from the Cleland Wildlife Park car park near the Barking Gecko Café off Mounty Lofty Summit Road, Cleland National Park, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Lofty and back via the Steub Trail. Named in honour of park benefactor, Mr Ludwig Reinwald Steub, this trail is a gentler, more undulating alternative to the steep and popular trail from Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty, providing the option for visitors to walk or cycle from Cleland Wildlife Park to Mount Lofty. The trail climbs gently through heathy woodland forest communities, offering stunning views over the park's southern ridges and across the Adelaide Plains, ending at the Mount Lofty summit lookout, which provides panoramic views of the Adelaide city skyline and the coast beyond. The trail has a recycled asphalt surface and gentle, low-gradient access, making it an ideal option for families with kids and prams, the elderly or people with reduced mobility. Visitors can either leave a car at both ends, arrange a lift from the Mount Lofty car park or return via the same route. This walk consists of gently undulating shared-use trails, with some boardwalk sections, suitable for most fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Steub Trail

7.1 km return

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Mtb

Run

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Environment

Bus

Starting from the Cleland Conservation Park car park just off Mount Lofty Summit Road, Cleland, this circuit walk takes you past Sugarloaf Hill via the Long Ridge, Chambers Gully and Bartrill Spur tracks. The fauna within the park includes a variety of birdlife, as well as echidnas, southern brown bandicoots, kangaroos and koalas. This hike starts along a gravel road leading to the Long Ridge Lookout on top of Sugarloaf Hill. From the lookout, there are wonderful views over Adelaide to the coast and a couple of benches where you can rest and enjoy the view. The hike then returns down Sugarloaf Hill and enters the Chambers Gully Track, a narrow dirt track that winds its way through the bushes along the foot of the hill. Chambers Gully joins Bartrill Spur, following the creek through a lush green gully to complete the circuit. There are some gentle inclines and uneven surfaces along this hike. Some sections can get muddy and slippery after rain. The tracks are well-formed and aren't overly technical, suited for most ages and fitness levels. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Sugarloaf Hill Circuit

7.6 km circuit

2 h 30 min to 4 h

Sugarloaf Hill Circuit

Waterfall

Environment

Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty

Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty

7.8 km return

3 h to 4 h 30 min

Starting from the Waterfall Gully Car park at the end of Waterfall Gully Road Waterfall Gully, this walk leads to Mount Lofty and back via the Waterfall Gully Track. This highly popular walk attracts a wide range of people. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, koalas, lizards, birds. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an echidna or a rare southern brown bandicoot. You will be greeted by panoramic views overlooking the Adelaide plains and Gulf St Vincent from the Mount Lofty summit. A significant upgrade of the trail was recently completed, including elevated boardwalks and directional and interpretative signage replacement. If you need to take a break, there are plenty of seats along the path and a cafe at each end. There is a steady ascent throughout the entire walk to the summit. Still, the track is well-maintained and comfortable to walk on. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the Chambers Gully car park just off Waterfall Gully Road, Burnside, this walk takes you on a circuit within Chambers Gully Park via the Chambers Gully, Bartrill Spur and Long Ridge tracks. Enjoy meandering through the cool sanctuary of Chambers Gully on this walk. Keep a lookout for koalas, kangaroos, cockatoos, echidnas and bandicoots as you follow the track fringed with ferns. A steep climb winds up to a ridge, where splendid views of the city and coast are revealed. The terrain is varied, with some tracks that are wide and flat, and others that are narrow and uneven. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Chambers Gully Circuit

9.3 km circuit

3 h 15 min to 5 h

Chambers Gully Circuit

1 h 45 min to 2 h 45 min

Environment

Starting from the Cleland Conservation Park car park just off Mount Lofty Summit Road, Cleland, this walk takes you on a circuit within the park via the Wine Shanty, Nursery, Gunbower and Bartrill Spur tracks. This hike takes its name from a Greenhill Road cottage (known as the "wine shanty") which in the late 1800s became a watering hole for "Tiersmen", who lived in huts behind Mount Lofty. Along the way, you'll pass Keirs Ruin, an old farmhouse that was abandoned in the 1900s. The trail is well signposted throughout, and it combines some steep climbs with gentler sections. Be aware of mountain bikers, as some of the tracks are shared-use. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Wine Shanty Circuit

10.1 km circuit

3 h 30 min to 5 h

Ruins

Environment

Belair Railway Station to Mount Lofty Summit

Belair Railway Station to Mount Lofty Summit

22.3 km oneway

4 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

22.3 km

Oneway

Walk

4 h 30 min to 7 h 30 min

Run

2 h 15 min to 3 h 45 min

Starting from the Belair Railway Station off Upper Sturt Road, Belair, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Lofty via the Yurrebilla Trail, Chinaman's Hut Track and Nangare Track. This challenging hike follows the Yurrebilla Trail through Belair National Park for the first few kilometres, which are relatively easy-going, passing through the Echo Tunnel before descending to Brownhill Creek Recreation Park. After leaving Brownhill Creek, the trail climbs into the foothills behind the historic Carrick Hill house, then zig-zags across the hills and open grassy woodlands of Waite Conservation Reserve, providing spectacular views across Adelaide. The trail winds along Mount Barker Road then follows the Tunnel Track over the South Eastern Freeway and enters Cleland Conservation Park. For the last few kilometres, the hike climbs steeply to the summit of Mount Lofty, following some of Cleland's lesser-travelled trails. This walk follows a combination of walking trails, fire tracks and sealed roads, with some narrow sections, uneven surfaces and steep hills. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Environment

Starting from the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden on Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf, this walk takes you to Beaumont via the Pioneer Women's Trail. Experience the amazing journeys undertaken by the Prussian Lutheran women and girls who walked from Hahndorf to Adelaide, carrying fresh produce for the hungry townsfolk during the early years of European settlement. The Pioneer Women's Trail honours these women, for they were instrumental in saving the young colony of South Australia from starvation. The walk follows country roads, laneways and bush tracks through a beautiful section of the Adelaide Hills, passing historic buildings, deciduous trees and native bushland, with interpretive signs detailing the area's history along the way. The walk initially crosses the Onkaparinga River before joining the official trail at Verdun, then winds through Bridgewater and follows Cox Creek past the historic Old Bridgewater Mill. After traversing Mount George Conservation Park, the trail passes the Stirling Golf Club and heads through Stirling, a picturesque village with many cafés, restaurants and boutique shops. The trail continues through Crafers and Cleland Conservation Park, then follows the Old Bullock Track, emerging to stunning city views before descending to the historic Beaumont House. This walk consists of wide and narrow, gently undulating walking trails, fire tracks and roads, with uneven natural surfaces, compacted natural surfaces and sealed surfaces, suitable for moderate fitness levels, and can be done in either direction. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Pioneer Women's Trail

24.4 km oneway

6 h, 10 h to 2 days

Pioneer Women's Trail

Environment