South Australia has a lot going for it as a walking destination. The Flinders Ranges, the Fleurieu Peninsula coastline, Kangaroo Island, and the gorge country of the Southern Ranges all offer genuinely different overnight experiences. These five walks cover that range, from a manageable five-day coastal trail to one of Australia’s longest dedicated walking tracks.
Five overnight and multi-day hikes in South Australia
The Heysen Trail, Fleurieu Peninsula to Flinders Ranges
1,200km | 60 days | Grade 5
The Heysen Trail is the longest dedicated walking trail in Australia and one of the great long-distance walks anywhere in the world. The 1,200-kilometre route runs from Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way north to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, passing through coastal cliffs, rolling Adelaide Hills farmland, the Barossa Valley, pine forests, historic towns, and the rugged gorge country of the north. End-to-enders typically allow around 60 days.
The trail is divided into two distinct characters. The southern section, from Cape Jervis to Spalding, follows the Mount Lofty Ranges and is more accessible, with towns and services along the way. The northern section, from Spalding to Parachilna Gorge, is more isolated and demanding, and requires solid navigation skills and experience in remote conditions. The trail is free to walk, though camping and parking fees apply in national parks and state forests along the route. Note that the Heysen Trail closes annually during the Fire Danger Season, typically 1 December to 30 April.
Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail, Deep Creek National Park
74km | 5 days | Grade 5
For walkers who want a taste of the Heysen Trail without committing to the full end-to-end, the Wild South Coast Way offers a self-contained five-day experience along the southern stretch of the trail. The 74-kilometre route runs between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula, passing through Deep Creek National Park, Ballaparudda Creek Recreation Park, and Newland Head Conservation Park.
The terrain covers rugged coastline with views across to Kangaroo Island, native bushland, seasonal waterfalls, fern-filled gullies, and long sandy beaches. Four hike-in campgrounds are spaced along the route, with additional drive-in options nearby. The overall Grade 5 rating reflects the most demanding section, Day 2 from Eagle Waterhole to Tapanappa, which crosses two major valleys and is only suitable for fit, experienced walkers. The remaining days come in at Grade 4. The trail traverses Ramindjeri Ruwi and connects with Kaurna Country at Cape Jervis, and the route carries deep cultural significance for the Ngarrindjeri Nation.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, Flinders Chase National Park
66km | 5 days | Grade 4
The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is a five-day, 66-kilometre journey through Flinders Chase National Park, starting at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and finishing at Kelly Hill Caves. The route moves through tall eucalypt forest, freshwater lagoons, coastal mallee, and windswept clifftops above the Southern Ocean, with each day delivering noticeably different terrain and atmosphere.
Wildlife is a constant companion throughout: kangaroos at dusk, koalas in the canopy, echidnas in the undergrowth, and dolphins and whales visible from the clifftops between June and October. Optional side trips add depth to the experience, including detours to Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks, and Hanson Bay. Day 4 includes a river crossing by small boat, a memorable logistical detail that sets this trail apart. Much of the trail passed through country severely affected by the 2019-20 fires, and walking it now means witnessing the landscape’s ongoing recovery firsthand. Purpose-built campgrounds are spaced along the route, and the trail is bookable through SA National Parks.
Alligator and Hidden Gorge Loop, Mount Remarkable National Park
38km | 2-3 days | Grade 5
The Alligator and Hidden Gorge Loop is the most compelling overnight option in Mount Remarkable National Park. The 38-kilometre circuit links the two gorge systems with exposed ridgelines offering broad views toward the Spencer Gulf, creating a walk with genuine variety and a strong sense of remoteness despite being only three hours from Adelaide.
The route typically starts at Alligator Gorge, where a long staircase drops into The Narrows, a section of gorge just a few metres wide with maidenhair ferns clinging to the walls and the temperature dropping noticeably as you descend. From there the walk moves through the Kingfisher Track corridor to Hidden Gorge, where rock hopping and creek-bed route finding replace any defined trail, with pink quartzite walls and sandstone pillars shaping the experience. The second day climbs to Battery Ridge for wide coastal outlooks, then descends through old-growth gums along Mambray Creek to complete the loop. Stringers Camp on the ridge is the main overnight option, bookable through SA NPWS. Good navigation skills and self-sufficiency are essential. Signage is limited through the gorges, mobile reception is minimal, and summer heat and fire danger closures require careful planning around timing.
Black Range Hike, Mount Remarkable National Park
28km | 2 days | Grade 5
The Black Range Hike is a demanding two-day walk through Mount Remarkable National Park, with two route options depending on logistics. The one-way version (28km) runs from Mambray Creek Carpark to the town of Melrose, covering 16.2 kilometres on day one to Grays Hut, then ascending the summit of Mount Remarkable before descending 11.8 kilometres into Melrose on day two. The return loop version extends the distance to 32.4 kilometres, returning to Mambray Creek via a different route on day two.
The summit of Mount Remarkable at 957 metres delivers panoramic views over the Willochra Plain and Spencer Gulf. The terrain throughout is rugged, and a topographic map is essential for navigation. A vehicle shuffle is required for the one-way option. Dogs are not permitted in the park, and access restrictions apply on days of Catastrophic or Extreme Fire Danger. For walkers looking to combine walks in the area, the Black Range Hike pairs naturally with other Mount Remarkable routes for a longer multi-day trip.
