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The best Adelaide autumn walking trails

We’ve mapped the best walking trails in Adelaide for you to enjoy so you can feel truly tranquil in your surroundings.

Photo credit: Michael Waterhouse

Last updated March 2024

It’s officially the perfect time of year for a morning stroll, coffee in hand. As you get in your morning gossip session, you’ll watch the seasons change and leaves fall to the ground around you.

We’ve mapped the best walking trails in Adelaide for you to enjoy so you can feel truly tranquil in your surroundings. Make the most of the sunshine and fresh Autumn air with our guide to some of the best walking trails around Adelaide.

CASUAL WALKS

ONKAPARINGA GORGE, HACKHAM

Starting Point: Piggott Range Road, Car Park Gate 12 of Onkaparinga Gorge National Park
Time: 1 to 1.5 hour loop if you complete the nature trail

Spice up your weekend by visiting the Onkaparinga River National Park. It doesn’t matter what time of day you visit, this clockwise nature trail is not too taxing and sweeps down into the Gorge where you can explore off the beaten track. The huge cliffs offer beautiful views at sunrise and sunset if you’re so inclined.

Image Credit: girlstrek

ADELAIDE BOTANIC GARDEN

Starting Point: North Terrace Main Gate or the Plain Tree Drive Friends Gate
Time: 1 to 1.5 hour loop at a leisurely pace

There’s no other walk-in Adelaide where you can take in Amazon Waterlilies, a Mediterranean garden, cacti, succulents, and a Tropical Greenhouse within the two-kilometre loop. Plus you’ve got the public toilets, cafés, and even the Wine Centre all close by. Don’t discount just how beautiful a gem we have in our Gardens right in the heart of the city.

Image Credit: adelaidebotanicgardens

MT LOFTY BOTANIC GARDENS

Starting Point: Summit Road Car Park
Time: 1.5 hour loop

There is no better place to experience the sheer beauty of Adelaide than these gardens that overlook the Piccadilly Valley. An outstanding picnic location if you can set aside the afternoon, with hidden rotundas, seating, and a lakeside view. In parts, the garden is quaint and romantic, while in others the sweeping views are truly grand.

Image Credit: travelandluxury 

KAIKI WALK, GRANITE ISLAND

Starting Point: Causeway Bridge from Victor Harbour
Time: 1 hour loop

There’s something very connective about feeling the sea breeze rush swirl around you and the crash of waves. Granite Island is one of those favourite trails you always forget about until you’re walking it again and enjoying the views out to the ocean. The little penguins occasionally pop their heads out of their burrows and sea lions have been known to stop off for a brief sunbathe on the southern shoreline.

Image Credit: officialfleurieupeninsula

BLACK SWAMP WALK, CURRENCY CREEK

Starting Point: One Paddock Currency Creek Winery Cellar Door
Time: 1 hour loop

It’s great to be able to lift the burden of that wine bottle you tucked into your padded vest and just enjoy a walk knowing that wine is always within reach. Currency Creek Winery is a simple-to-walk, beautiful loop trail well worth the day trip, especially if you enjoy the peace of native birds busying themselves amongst the native scrub with views of the vineyard.

Image Credit: onepaddockcurrencycreek

GOOD CHALLENGES

MT LOFTY TO BRIDGEWATER VIA THE HEYSEN TRAIL

Starting Point: Mt Lofty Lookout
Time: 3 hour one-way

While a lot of people know the Waterfall Gully trail to Mt Lofty, if you walk in the other direction towards Mount George and Bridgewater you can find a hidden gem. We’d suggest starting from the Lookout so the majority of the walk is downhill. You’ll catch glimpses of the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, the trickling waters of Cox Creek, and the hidden trails of Arbury Park before exiting just below the freeway at The Bridgewater Mill. There are several smaller tracks you can loop around here too, but at 7.5km it’s actually not as far as many people believe.

WATERFALL GULLY TO MOUNT LOFTY

Starting Point: Waterfall Gully Car Park
Time: 2.5 hour loop

Probably the most popular walking trail in Adelaide, it’s nice to see other people just as exhausted as you are as the accent towards the Mount Lofty Lookout grows ever steeper. The only issue is that the very people you want to gossip about might be somewhere along the same path. But we suppose it’s just as satisfying to race past them and flash one of those “keep going, but I’m better than you” smiles over your shoulder.

BEAUMONT CIRCUIT, BURNSIDE

Starting Point: Intersection of Sherwood Terrace, Caithness Avenue and Hayward Drive
Time: 2 hour loop

Probably the best trail for equal views of the city and the hills, this steep but secluded trail along the edges of Mount Osmond goes hand in hand with contemplating just how lucky we are to live in Adelaide. The clouds seem to hang suspended along the valley lines as the days get warmer, and as the breeze, as it rushes through the grass along the hillside it’s hard not to feel peaceful.

Image Credit: adelady

MORIALTA FALLS LOOP

Starting Point: First Fall Car Park off Morialta Falls Rd
Time: 3 hour loop

This slightly more challenging walk passes Giants Cave and whilst the iconic First Falls, the loop itself still offers a range of breath-taking views such as Morialta Gorge’s towering cliffs, the city, the coast, and the Adelaide Plains, making this a must-see for nature lovers.

Image Credit: southaustralia

MARION COASTAL WALK

Currently under reconstruction, with parts of the walk open.

Starting Point: Marino Esplanade or Hallett Headland Reserve
Time: 2.5-3 hours one way

A completely unique landscape awaits those happy to walk the one-way track from Marino to Hallett Headland Reserve. The beauty of this track is you can set your length, as there are multiple points you can choose to turn around. The boardwalk paths offer outstanding views out over the ocean but the true beauty of the landscape is only revealed when you enter into the Hallett Cove Conservation Park.

Image Credit: michealwaterhousephotography

WATERFALL HIKE, BELAIR NATIONAL PARK

Starting Point: Pines Area of Belair National Park
Time: 3 hour loop

This hike has some steep terrain but allows you to take in part of the Adventure Loop and the Yurrebilla Trail, so it’s a well-worn path. This trail is one of the few that dogs are permitted upon. The Echo Tunnel and the two waterfalls punctuate the track to offer great views and time to catch your breath.

Image Credit: vimeowsician

Like most outdoor activities in South Australia, there’s a website that lists every possible trail you could want to walk. Head to the Walking SA website, especially if your long-term goal is to become one of those people with the walking poles. We have no idea how those actually help, but you certainly look like you mean business when you have them.

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