Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail - Day 1: Rocky River Section is a 12.4km, grade 4 hike located in Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia. The hike should take around 4 hours to complete.
Hike overview
Day one commences at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre and takes you to the famous Platypus Waterholes where you may encounter the rare and elusive platypus. This shared section of the trail has plenty of interpretation and offers a great introduction to the park. When the path joins up with the Rocky River Trail you'll be immersed in dense eucalypt woodland that is home to a diversity of bird life and native animals. Reaching the Pardalote Lookout you will see the meandering Rocky River far below you as it flows out towards the Southern Ocean. You will then pass through riverbank and mallee habitats where wildflowers provide stunning arrays of colour all year around, along with orchids and fungi in the cooler months. Traversing your way down from the ridge towards the river you will come across the spectacular sight of the Rocky River Cascades. The day comes to a close at the Cup Gum Campground, a peaceful setting for your first night's rest hidden amongst tall sugar gums and old-growth cup gums.
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
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For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA
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Gallery
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About the region
Flinders Chase National Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located at the west end of Kangaroo Island about 177 kilometres west-south west of the state capital of Adelaide and 110 kilometres west of the municipal seat of Kingscote.
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Explore Safe
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.
Let someone know
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.
Gear to consider
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
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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.
3 Reviews on “Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail: Day 1 - Rocky River Section (12.4km)”
The whole trail was a great experience, the facilities in each campground were amazing. My husband and I did it as a fully self-supported walk, my first multi-day hike of this type. The first day was good walking mostly through bushland
Hwa Fern
Bob Sheldon something to add to ur to do list ??
Mmm, probably time to review ALL your scheduled posts, so many trails destroyed ?
Are you really posting this??!!
Just finished the KIWT. Got evacuated off after the 3rd day. Finished section 4 – 5 the following day. Wer were the last hikers through. Devastating fires. Saw the fires from our cabin in the KI caravan park. Out the next day. Much love to Fiona and Mark who own the park and had to evacuate yesterday. Heartbroken for the koalas on the koala walk from their park. Trying not to think that they might not have made it. ?
https://7news.com.au/news/sa/kangaroo-island-bushfires-kingscote-and-penneshaw-only-places-of-refuge-c-631527?fbclid=IwAR2mxGtiGR8C1-Rh340LQHNfw5p6brDAIq1BUkEqFK6A-ztoWrXCQVAxhjk
Not anytime soon. Kangaroo Island has just had devastating bushfires and will take many years to regenerate. Not great timing for this post….
Please check the current situation of hikes you’re posting. Some of the places coming up are either recently burned, burning, or under threat.
Not the best timing mate
I suggest you check your upcoming auto posts
No one will be walking this trail for a long time to come. The Flinders Chase is well and truly going up in flames
Not the best time to be spruiking Kangaroo Island.
I absolutely loved this hike, amazing scenery and fantastic/clean campsite