Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail: Day 4: Grassdale Section

Length: 13.3km
Duration: 5hrs
Grade: 4
Style: One way
Start: Sanderson Fire Access Track, Karatta
End: 471-475 Hanson Bay Rd, Karatta

Location: Flinders Chase National Park
Closest Town:
Distance from CBD: 267 km
State: SA
Latitude: -36.02559049
Longitude: 136.7881978

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Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail: Day 4: Grassdale Section is a 13.3km, grade 4 one way hike located in Flinders Chase National Park, South Australia. The hike should take approximately 5hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

Day four offers high energy coastal trekking at its best, with massive swells, towering cliffs and extended views along the coast all the way from Sanderson Bay to the spectacular Cape Younghusband. Looking back you'll continue to see Remarkable Rocks as it is rarely seen, framed by the surrounding wild landscape. When the trail meanders inland as it heads towards Hanson Bay you'll be treated to a dramatic change in vegetation from low coastal heath to tall, dense mallee and tea tree. Upon reaching the South West River you'll have the opportunity to use a punt to cross the river; a novel experience not to be missed. The river crossing marks the gateway to the Cape Bouguer Wilderness Protection Area and the most untouched area on the trail. An optional side trip off the wilderness trail to the nearby Hanson Bay headland and the small settlement of Hanson Bay offers walkers another opportunity to dip their toes in the crystal clear water. Back on the Wilderness Trail you'll follow the winding river to Kelly Hill Conservation Park and the Tea Tree Campground, located adjacent to the historic Grassdale property. A short walk from the campground you'll find the original cottage that housed the Edwards family who were pioneers in the early settlement of the western end of the island. At sunrise and sunset you will encounter Kangaroo Island kangaroos as they emerge from the shelter of the native vegetation into the open grassland to feed.

(optional side trip - Hanson Bay 1/2 hours return, 700metres)

GPX file courtesy of Walking SA. File may not contain elevation data and may only represent half the length on return hikes.

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.

GPX File

Total distance: 13603 m
Max elevation: 0 m
Min elevation: 0 m
Total climbing: 0 m
Total descent: 0 m

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For more information on this hiking trail, please visit Walking SA

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One thought on “Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail: Day 4: Grassdale Section (13.3km)”

Jil Balcombe says:

27/10/2019 at 18:39

Absolutely loved this section of the walk. Started with cliff top walking but soon changed to trails through beautiful bush land.

I fancy myself a bit of a photographer and was slowed down by all the photo opportunities. The area is a haven for orchids, one of my favourite things to hunt and find, so the there were times when the pace got really slow, as I mooched around looking for these tiny flowers.

The punt crossing was easy and a bit of fun and with a seat right next to the punt it was also a good place to stop for lunch. The side trip to Hanson Bay was short and well worth it, although we opted not to walk along the beach, instead just admired the view from the sand dunes.

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