Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 125m
Min elevation: 11m
Total Ascent: 189m
Hike overview
The Ironstone Hill Hike is a moderately challenging (grade 3) trail located within Baudin Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Stretching for approximately 4.2 kilometres, the return journey typically takes around 1.5 hours to complete.
This historic route follows a section of the original bullock track used for travel to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse in the past. As you ascend the trail, enveloped by regenerating sheoak woodlands, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views across Backstairs Passage towards the Fleurieu Peninsula. The hike culminates at Ironstone Hill, where the remnants of Harry Bates' cottage and a stone threshing floor stand as a reminder of the area's rich farming heritage. Interpretive signage along the track provides further insight into the life and work of the Bates family who once called this land home.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 125 m
Min elevation: 11 m
Total climbing: 189 m
Total descent: -189 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
Explore safely
Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.
Leave a trip plan
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Planning checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Baudin Conservation Park.
Accessing Baudin Conservation Park is straightforward. Located 2 kilometres southeast of Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, the park is easily reached by car. Take Frenchman’s Terrace and follow it until you reach the car park at the beginning of Binneys Track.
For visitors coming from mainland South Australia, ferry travel is necessary. SeaLink operates a vehicle and passenger ferry service daily (excluding Christmas Day) between Cape Jervis, located two hours south of Adelaide, and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. The ferry journey takes approximately 45 minutes for the 16 kilometre crossing.
The trailhead is at a small carpark on Binneys Track (a dirt road) which follows on from Frenchmans Terrace in Penneshaw.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Meningie, Narrung, Poltalloch, Tailem Bend, Wellington East
About the region
Baudin Conservation Park, located near the town of Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, offers a unique blend of historical and natural beauty. Once a family farm from 1861 to 2001, the park is now a protected area showcasing rolling hills and she-oak woodlands.
Hikers and bushwalkers will find plenty to explore here. The Ironstone Hill Hike follows part of the original bullock track used for travel to Cape Willoughby in the past. Along the trail, interpretive signage provides a glimpse into the life and work of the Bates family who once farmed this land. The hike culminates at Ironstone Hill, where the ruins of their cottage and a stone threshing floor stand as a testament to their history.
The park is a haven for native wildlife. Look out for tammar wallabies and the majestic wedge-tailed eagle soaring overhead. The she-oak forest provides habitat for the rare glossy black cockatoo, which you might be lucky enough to see feeding amongst the trees.
For those seeking a glimpse of marine life, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales swimming in the waters of Backstairs Passage, which borders the park.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Baudin Conservation Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.





