Sturt Gorge Circuit via the River Trail

Starting from the Sturt Gorge Gate 12 carpark on Broadmeadow Drive, Flagstaff Hill, this walk takes you on a circuit within Sturt Gorge Recreation Park via the River, Fire, Wattle and Lomandra tracks. Sturt Gorge Recreation Park has a large network of shared-use mountain bike and walking trails, a spectacular rugged gorge with internationally recognised geological significance, cascading waterfalls, rockpools and creeks. This scenic and peaceful hike takes in the rugged beauty of Sturt Gorge while passing through a variety of vegetation communities along the way. Walk among the steep slopes of grey box grassy woodlands and Sturt tillite rock formations, and look out for the diverse range of native animals that come to drink at the waterholes along the river. Koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, kookaburras, cockatoos and rosellas are often seen in the park. Be sure to check out the amazing views over the gorge from the lookouts at the top of the Sturt River dam wall, near the end of the walk. This is an adventurous trail, with many river crossings and some rock scrambling. Take care on the trail surfaces, which are uneven and rocky in some areas, with narrow and slippery sections and occasional steep inclines and descents. After rain the rivers water levels may rise, and the stepping-stones across the river crossings may become submerged. There are no facilities in the park, so be sure to carry sufficient water, food and supplies for the entire hike. 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.

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Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Parriana Track & Broadmeadow Drive (-35.0386397,138.5840689)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Southern Expressway, M2 Turn on to then drive for 1.1 km Keep left onto Flagstaff Road and drive for another 3.2 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Black Road and drive for another 1 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Glenalvon Drive and drive for another 620 m Turn left onto Vincent Boulevard and drive for another 185 m Keep right onto Gorge Street and drive for another 100 m Turn right onto Broadmeadow Drive and drive for another 450 m Turn sharp left onto Parriana Track and drive for another 7 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Parriana Track & Broadmeadow Drive Start heading along Parriana Track (a vehicle track). After another 30 m (at the intersection of Parrianna Link Trail & Lomandra Trail) continue straight, to head along Parrianna Link Trail.
	After another 370 m (at the intersection of River Trail & Parrianna Link Trail) turn sharp right, to head along River Trail.
	The starting point of an alternate route. Take this alternate route if you want to get closer to the cascading waterfalls of Strut River. To take the alternate route turn right here. Details below. After another 380 m continue straight, to head along River Trail. After another 90 m pass the waterfall (45 m on your right).
	After another 160 m continue straight, to head along River Trail.
	After another 310 m turn right, to head along River Trail. After another 220 m continue straight, to head along River Trail.
	After another 115 m (at the intersection of Fire Track & River Trail) turn left, to head along Fire Track (a vehicle track). After another 155 m veer right, to head along Fire Track.
	After another 290 m (at the intersection of Fire Track & River Trail) turn left, to head along River Trail (a walking track).
	After another 530 m (at the intersection of Little River & River Trail) turn right, to head along Little River. After another 680 m (at the intersection of Little River & Sidewinder) continue straight, to head along Little River.
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of River Trail & Little River) turn sharp right, to head along River Trail.
	After another 400 m (at the intersection of Gunners Run & River Trail) continue straight. After another 100 m (at the intersection of Gunners Run & River Trail) continue straight, to head along River Trail.
	After another 330 m turn left, to head along River Trail.
	After another 25 m turn right.
	After another 30 m turn right.
	After another 550 m (at the intersection of Witowirra Fire Track & Marri Fire Track) turn right, to head along Witowirra Fire Track. After another 240 m (at the intersection of Wattle Trail & Witowirra Fire Track) veer right, to head along Wattle Trail.
	After another 130 m (at the intersection of Wattle Trail & Marriyerli Fire Track) turn right, to head along Wattle Trail. After another 185 m continue straight, to head along Wattle Trail.
	After another 490 m turn right, to head along Wattle Trail.
	After another 155 m turn left, to head along Wattle Trail.
	After another 145 m (at the intersection of Lomandra Trail & Fire Track) turn right, to head along Lomandra Trail (a walking track). After another 9 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 620 m (at the intersection of Parrianna Link Trail & Lomandra Trail) turn left, to head along Parriana Track (a vehicle track).
	After another 30 m come to the end.

Take this alternate route if you want to get closer to the cascading waterfalls of Strut River.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 100 m come to the waterfall.
	After another 130 m come to the end. At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Fire Track & Wattle Trail Start heading along Fire Track (a vehicle track). After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Fire Track.
	After another 70 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 145 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Sturt Gorge Circuit via the River Trail

Grading

	Class 5/6 Very challenging
Length	6.8 km
Time	2 h 30 min to 3 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	No facilities provided (5/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| www.environment.sa.gov.au | www.walkingsa.org.au

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Ferny Grove Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Saturday 21 December
  
  Clear.
  
  Clear. Light winds.
  
  Sunday 22 December
  
  20°C → 31°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of fog inland in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower about the southern border ranges in the late morning and afternoon. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm about the southern border ranges in the late morning and afternoon. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 34.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 7:30am to 4:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 12 [Extreme]
  
  Monday 23 December
  
  20°C → 33°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. The chance of fog inland in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm inland during the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 36.
  
  Tuesday 24 December
  
  21°C → 31°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a morning shower about the southern border, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 33.
  
  Wednesday 25 December
  
  19°C → 29°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h tending east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.
  
  Thursday 26 December
  
  19°C → 30°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Friday 27 December
  
  20°C → 30°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Saturday 28 December
  
  21°C → 34°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- South Australia NPWS
  When planning and before starting your trip please check South Australia NPWS closure website for anything that may impact on your plans.

Weather Forecast

Alerts