Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Sturt Gorge with the Sturt Gorge River Trail. This moderately challenging (grade 4) 9.8-kilometre one-way adventure winds its way through the valley of the Sturt River, taking roughly 4 hours to complete. The trail offers a glimpse of the gorge's natural wonders, including cascading waterfalls, flowing creeks, and dramatic rocky gorges.
Be prepared for an adventurous journey, as the trail involves nine river crossings and sections of rock scrambling. Following heavy rainfall, the river level may rise, submerging the stepping stones used for these crossings. Experience in bushwalking or mountain biking, along with a moderate level of fitness, is recommended for tackling this trail due to its physical demands. Keep an eye out for warning markers along the route, particularly regarding steep inclines.
The River Trail follows the course of the Sturt River, offering various starting points. You can begin on Main South Road and enter through the Riverside Reserve, following Adam's Orchard Trail from the end of Riverside Drive in Bedford Park. Alternatively, start your journey at Edgar Street in Bedford Park. Follow the trail consistently until you reach the eastern end of Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, where it emerges on Coromandel Parade near Horner Bridge. This historic bridge, built in 1886, was the first to span the Sturt River.
Since this is a one-way trail, plan your return trip accordingly. You can either arrange transportation to pick you up at the end point, or retrace your steps along the same route, resulting in a total distance close to 20 kilometres. Public transport via Adelaide Metro buses is also an option. Catch a bus from Stop 37B on Coromandel Parade to Stop 28 on Main South Road to return to your starting point.
For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA
Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Total distance: 9751 m
Max elevation: 183 m
Min elevation: 41 m
Total climbing: 369 m
Total descent: -239 m
Download
No Records Found
Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.
Maps failed to load
Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.
Easily accessible by car, Sturt Gorge Recreation Park lies approximately 13 kilometres south of Adelaide. While vehicle access is restricted within the park itself, numerous pedestrian entry points provide convenient access. These entry points are scattered around the park's perimeter, offering various starting points for your exploration. For instance, you can enter from Broadmeadow Drive, Black Road, or Bonneyview Road in Flagstaff Hill; The Boulevard in Bellevue Heights; or Craigburn Road in Craigburn Farm. Plan your route based on the area you'd like to explore first, and lace up your walking shoes to discover the wonders of Sturt Gorge Recreation Park.
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
Explore the ancient wonders and natural beauty of Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Internationally recognized for its geological significance, the park boasts the nationally threatened greybox grassy woodland vegetation, once widespread across southern Australia. A geological marvel, the park is also home to sturt tillite, a rock formation believed to be 800 million years old, formed from glacial material left behind by a prehistoric ocean.
The recent addition of Craigburn Farm has significantly expanded the park's area. Transformed into a major revegetation site, it now offers a haven for mountain bikers and hikers. Explore a network of well-maintained trails, encountering the park's oldest rock formations amidst flourishing grasslands and open woodlands.
Cycling enthusiasts can choose between designated mountain bike trails or explore the park's public access roads. Hikers can traverse the park's scenic slopes and shrublands, keeping an eye out for the diverse native fauna that frequent the waterholes lining the Sturt River.
For an optimal experience, consider visiting during autumn or spring. While summer offers warm weather, it can also be hot and dry. However, if you visit after a period of heavy rain, you might be rewarded with a vibrant display of wildflowers and the delightful sounds of frogs in the flowing creeks.
Favourite
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
Favourite
Shepherds Hill Recreation Park
Favourite
Sturt Gorge Recreation Park
Favourite
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
Trail changed? New features discovered? Has the route changed? Trail permanently closed? Help fellow hikers by suggesting edits! Click above to update route descriptions, GPX file, trail features (like boardwalks), or access conditions (like parking availability). Help me keep the trails info fresh!
3 Reviews on “Sturt Gorge River Trail Walk (9.8km)”
I did a walk there yesterday. Beautiful scenery, lots of different views, plenty of photo opportunities. Just lovely!!!
Ryan Mallen
Samantha Lane Sam Matt