OK, OK…so TLC told us not to go chasing waterfalls, but we respectfully disagree; we don’t want to stick to the rivers and the lakes that we’re used to! Are we showing our age?
Waterfalls are pure magic for our kiddos, it’s where fairies live and hidden kingdoms exist!
South Australia has some unexpectedly beautiful waterfall hikes, and we’ve got ten top spots for you to put on your list to do with your family this weekend.
Ingalalla Falls
Ingalalla falls is a great place to start with the family, as it’s just a short 250m walk, with the trail starting at a picnic area. It follows the creek upstream to the rock pool and waterfall, with several other picnic areas along the way.
- Distance: 0.5km
- Duration: 45 minutes return
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Flat
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1-2 hours
For more information and maps:
Hindmarsh Falls
With just a short walk to the lookout to see the waterfalls, you’ll find water cascading over numerous pools. The lower car park is adjacent to a picnic area.
- Distance: 0.2km return
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Suitable for: Walking
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Undulating
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1-2 hours
For more information and maps:
Waterfall Trail, Mark Oliphant Conservation Park
The Waterfall Trail passes through the waterfall, but be warned, the waterfall is not always flowing. Whilst the entrance to the park appears rundown, but don’t be deceived – this park is a gem for walkers. Trails are marked, and fire tracks named with street signs. The Waterfall Trail is rewarding, but at times can be a little overgrown.
- Distance: 1.6km return
- Duration: 1 hour
- Suitable for: Walking, trail running
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Undulating
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1 hour or less
For more information and maps:
Waterfall Trail, Mark Oliphant Conservation Park
Deep Creek Waterfall
Flowing in winter and spring, Deep Creek is a permanent waterfall.
- Distance: 12km
- Duration: 4-7 hours
- Suitable for: hiking/trail running
- Difficulty: Hard hike
- Terrain: Steep
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1-2 hours
For more information and maps:
Mannum Waterfalls
Mannum waterfalls has numerous waterholes, with waterfalls flowing between them. A scenic walking trail follows Reedy creek from the lower pools to the waterfalls. This is like natures playground, with climbable rocks, navigable pathways and wildlife galore.
- Distance: 3km return
- Duration: 2-3 hours return
- Suitable for: walking
- Difficulty: moderate
- Terrain: undulating
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1-2 hours
For more information and maps:
Waterfall hike, Belair National Park
The Lower and Upper Waterfalls make up the two sets of falls at Belair National Park. These falls are best to visit after rainfall, as often, without recent rainfalls there won’t be a trickle!
- Distance: 6.5km circuit
- Duration: 3 hours
- Suitable for: Hiking, dog walking, trail running
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Steep
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1 hour or less
Fore more information and maps:
Three Falls Grand Hike, Morialta
With a hike that visits all three of the falls in Morialta Conservation Park, your waterfall cup will literally be overflowing! First falls are the most spectacular, accessible from the easy Morialta Falls Valley walk, and can also be viewed above at the Eagle Nest Lookout.
- Distance: 7.3km circuit
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Suitable for: Walking, trail running
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Steep
- Travel time from Adelaide: 1 hour or less
For more information and maps:
Three falls grand hike Morialta
Sturt Gorge Waterfall
The Sturt River through Sturt Gorge flows for most of the year, but the waterfalls are best after rainfall.
The loop of the upper section of the River Trail in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is an adventurous walk, with river crossings and possible rock scrambling.
- Distance: 7.6km circuit
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Suitable for: Walking, trail running
- Difficulty: Hard
- Terrain: Undulating
- Time from Adelaide: 1 hour or less
For more information and maps:
The Terraces, Alligator Gorge
Alligator Gorge in Mt Remarkable National Park features the Terraces and the Narrows. The Terraces are a long series of small cascading waterfalls.
- Distance: 8.9km circuit
- Duration: 4 hours return
- Suitable for: Hiking
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Terrain: Undulating
- Time from Adelaide: 2+ hours
For more information and maps:
Alligator Gorge Ring Route Hike
Waterfall Gully
There are six waterfalls along the popular Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty summit hike. The First Falls are the most spectacular, and accessible from the car park. The Second Falls are just 500 metres along the trail.
- Distance: 7.8km return
- Duration: 1.5-3 hours return
- Suitable for: Walking, hiking, jogging
- Difficulty: Hard hike
- Terrain: Steep
- Time from Adelaide: 1 hour or less
For more information and maps: