Return Road Hike is a 9km, grade 3 hike located in the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, South Australia. The hike should take around 3.5 hrs to complete.
Hike overview
This hike follows the lightkeepers' old cart track used for transporting supplied between Harveys Return and Cape Borda, which they called 'The Return Road'. The first 800 metres wanders through sugar gum woodland to the Lightkeepers Cemetery, which is an option for a short hike (1.6km return). The trail continues, roughly parallel to the road on to Cape Borda. The road is rarely seen. As the trail heads west you leave the forest behind for lower scrub. An optional but rewarding sidetrip is to walk 300m down Scott Road when the trail crosses it, to reach Scott Cove Lookout. Another alternative is to walk from Harveys Return Campground to Scotts Cove Lookout, which is 3.4km return. The trail finishes at Cape Borda, where you can walk the short Clifftop Hike to a lookout.
Keep a watch out for cobblestones which indicate the alignment of the original track.
The trail begins near campsites #2 and #4.
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: 147 m
Min elevation: 91 m
Total climbing: 17 m
Total descent: -18 m
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA
Trail location
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About the region
Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area is a protected area located on the west end of Kangaroo Island in South Australia about 80 km west of Kingscote. Flinders Chase National Park is a rugged wilderness featuring iconic landmarks such as the world-famous Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.
The park’s coastal scenery includes Admirals Arch, a beautiful natural rock arch shaped by the powerful Southern Ocean, and the sculptured granite boulders known as Remarkable Rocks. Other attractions include wild beaches, the unspoilt Rocky River, vast wilderness areas and cultural heritage sites – including two lighthouses.
Discover some of Kangaroo Island’s secrets at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre where our natural and cultural heritage are showcased with interactive screens, a touch table and a fossil dig pit for kids. It’s a great place for families, with coffee, lunch and souvenirs available from the Chase Café.
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Gear to consider

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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.