Melrose Nature Circuit is a 2.6km, grade 3 hike located in the Mount Remarkable National Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 1.5 hrs to complete.
Hike summary
Enjoy a walk through the foothills of Mount Remarkable on the Melrose Nature Hike. The trail visits Cathedral Rock, where there is a picnic area.
The trail network is shared with mountain bikers. The trail begins from the swingbridge near the caravan park, at the end of Joes Road.
At first the trail seems as if it is not well sign-posted, but actually it is, it's just that the mountain bike trails are so well sign-posted they seem to dominate. The Melrose Nature Hike is signposted by small metal hiking icons, and with the help of a few old short yellow arrow signs. Generally you can follow the mountain bike signs for the Farmers Freewheeling Run Track. The Melrose Nature Hike isn't marked on the good mountain bike trail maps.
There is an optional sidetrip to Melrose Mine and Bald Hill Lookout.
The official maps on the signs at the trailhead have the section between the Brewery Street Trailhead and the swingbridge masked out. This former trail used to be on the northern side of the river. However there is a new walking and cycling trail along the southern side of the river, which passes through the stick-fence gate near Brewery Street.
The recommended walk time is 3 hours, but the trail could be completed in 1.5 hours to 3 hours.
GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 493 m
Min elevation: 398 m
Total climbing: 64 m
Total descent: -30 m
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA
Gear you might need
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Location
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Let someone know before you go
It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.
About the region
Within easy reach of Adelaide, Mount Remarkable National Park is an ideal place to take the family. There’s lots of diverse wildlife and campgrounds with good facilities. The park is a popular destination for bushwalking, with trails for all ages and abilities. There are some incredible views to be had – the 960m high Mount Remarkable Summit presides over the Willochra Plain and looks out to the Spencer Gulf. The Willowie Forest area offers a network of mountain biking and walking trails that meander through foothills of the Mount Remarkable Range.
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.