4 spectacular walks in Fleurieu Peninsula national parks

Love bushwalking? Here are five walks in Fleurieu Peninsula national parks that you cannot miss.

Almost an hour’s drive away from Adelaide, South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula boasts of some of the most striking landscapes in the world.

Bushwalking in national parks is a fantastic way of making the most of your time in Fleurieu Peninsula and exploring the pristine beaches, exceptional coastal views and unspoilt wildlife of this region.

Here are four of our favourite walks:

1. Aaron Creek Circuit Hike at Deep Creek Conservation Park

3 hours return (5.5 km)

This challenging but rewarding trail is one of the hidden gems of Deep Creek Conservation Park.

Starting at the Aaron Creek picnic area and car park, near Goondooloo Cottage on Blowhole Beach Road, this walk will take you straight out to the coast where can you see spectacular views of the Southern ocean waves crashing into the rocky cove below.

If you’re hiking in the winter, you might even catch a glimpse of a cascading waterfall on your way.

2. Punchbowl Lookout Trail at Onkaparinga River National Park

1 hour return (2 km)

On the border of Adelaide and Fleurieu Peninsula and less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide is the Onkaparinga River National Park.

The distinctive wetlands and floodplains of this park are created by the Onkaparinga River that spills onto the plains. While this created a stunning landscape for the park, more importantly this area also conserves important fish breeding habitat, hundreds of native plant and animal species and provides habitat for endangered migratory birds.

The 2 km Punchbowl Lookout Trail takes you on a leisurely stroll through grey box woodland to the lookout above The Punchbowl, for spectacular views into the Onkaparinga Gorge.

This trail is perfect for people of all abilities and is suitable for prams and limited mobility access.

3. Wetlands Loop Trail at Onkaparinga River Recreation Park

Short loop is 1 hour return (3 km) and long loop is 1.5 hours return (4.5 km)

Next door to the Onkaparinga River National Park is the Onkaparinga River Recreation Park that is popular for its tranquil wetlands and floodplains.

The Wetlands Loop trail is a great way of exploring this park and its wonderful views and you can choose if you want to take the shorter 3 km loop or the longer 4.5 km loop.

There is plenty to discover on this trail, with a variety of wildlife such as birds, frogs and fish as well as some uncommon plant species.

This flat trail is a mixture of boardwalks and gravel paths, and is accessible for wheelchairs and families with strollers. You can also take your furry best friend with you as dogs on lead are welcome on this trail.

4. Waitpinga Cliffs to Kings Beach hike at Newland Head Conservation Park

8 to 12 hours return (23 km)

Located on the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula and 91 km south of Adelaide, Newland Head Conservation Park has rolling hills, rugged cliffs and unmatched views.

At the Newland Head Conservation Park, this walk is a spectacular highlight of the Heysen Trail.

Not one for the faint hearted, this 23 km hike begins from the Waitpinga Campground and follows the coast above the Waitpinga Cliffs with exceptional coastal views and lots of photo opportunities. The trail then gently climbs Ridgeway Hill, where you can spot the majestic white-bellied sea-eagles if you’re lucky.

To make the most of this trail, follow it beyond the Newland Head Conservation Park up to Kings Beach.

If you’re not good with heights, you should probably consider a different trail as some sections of this trail get dangerously close to the edge of the cliff.

Before you head into any of these parks, be sure to check the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website for any entry or camping fees, alerts or park closures and other important information for your visit.

Keen to explore more of Fleurieu Peninsula? Check out our blogs on national parks of Fleurieu Peninsula and how to spend a day in Encounter Marine Park.

This content was produced in partnership with Good Living
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