South Australia, from its rugged coastlines and arid deserts to the mountainous Flinders ranges, offers various hikes. Here are just a couple of my top hikes in the Southern Flinders ranges of SA.
Alligator Gorge and Ring Route – Mount Remarkable
First up we have the beautiful Alligator Gorge. It’s a hike that gives you completely different experiences depending on the season. Calling all the rock scramblers! And if you’re short like me, you’ll find it nothing short of an obstacle course as you navigate around overgrown shrubs and fallen trees. I did go a few days after a thunderstorm so conditions might be different when you visit.
I highly recommend doing the entire loop. It took me about 4 hours with stops in between. From the car park, there’s a pretty steep staircase that leads down into the gorge. Don’t worry there’s a railing and it’s all fun and games until you finish the loop and arrive back at the staircase to face the calf-burning task of climbing back up the stairs!!
Once you’re in the gorge, follow the signs to start the loop. You’ll be walking anti-clockwise (if you want to avoid a long uphill walk). I walked this trail during summer and, as I mentioned before, a few days after heavy rains. Although there was no water in the gorge, there were quite a few fallen trees along the way. A short while in, I couldn’t see any more signs. Luckily I had the route downloaded on the All Trails app and used that to find my way in areas where the path was unclear.
Side note: During the cooler months, the gorge fills up with rainwater. And, depending on how deep it is, you can either walk through or scale along the edges of the gorge. I’m looking forward to redoing this hike during autumn or winter to experience this.
But this time, it was a lot of scrambling in sections of the gorge. Stepping over or under fallen trees and making my own path through some shrubs. Carry water, wear SPF and a hat if you are doing this trail in summer as most of the hike is unshaded.
After some more walking, you get to a staircase that’s built into the side of the gorge (no railing this time). This takes you up onto the fire trail – a large flat path that goes downhill for a while. It was nice to have so much space to walk around after scrambling through rocks and vegetation in the gorge.
Side note: Although the actual origins of the name “Alligator Gorge” are unclear, its rumored to be named after ‘Ali’ aka ‘Ally’, a local Aboriginal shepherd that contributed significantly to the exploration of the region. So, I promise no alligators. But, I can’t say the same for goannas or snakes. Although I didn’t see any of these on my hike, a few other hikers have.
Wear good hiking shoes on this trail. It will help with scrambling in the gorge and there’s also lots of loose gravel on the fire trail. After the Fire Trail, you’ll arrive at one of the most striking sections of this hike – The Narrows. Here, you’re surrounded by red rock – a great spot for some pictures and to spend time admiring the area. I crossed paths with a few hikers around this area who said the rock reminded them of Petra in Jordan.
And that’s it! We have the final ascent back up the stairs to the car park. I spent some time relaxing at the Gorge Lookout point at the top before heading on to new adventures.
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 4 hours with a short break. (moderate – fast walking pace
The Dutchmans Stern Loop – The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park
The Dutchmans Stern Loop is a popular hike in this Conservation Park. This hike took me about 3 hours including a short break to enjoy the views from the peak. This is a well-marked hike. Although it’s not an obstacle course like the Alligator Gorge hike, if you enjoy uphill walking you’ll love the challenge this hike provides. Again, good hiking boots, sun protection, water and a snack are a must. I was lucky to do this hike during the off-peak season. So, short of a kangaroo and some birds I had the entire trail to myself. That is until I got back near the car park and met and chatted with a couple people who were just beginning their hike.
The view of the ranges from the top does not disappoint. There’s a little bench to relax at the summit. I found shade under a nearby tree and watched some inquisitive birds fluttering from branch to branch. Once you’ve soaked in the views, had some refreshments and recovered; the rest of the trail is a breeze and mostly downhill. The geology in this area is stunning. You get a close-up view of the rock formations on the ranges to your right as you make your way down the Dutchmans stern loop. Since you asked.. the mountain gets its name because its silhouette resembles the shape of a Dutch ships stern.
This was my first solo hike and it was great! Make sure you share your location with loved ones. For added safety let your accommodation or even your local information center know when you set off on a solo hike and approximately when to expect you back.
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3 hours with a short break. (moderate – fast walking pace)
And there you go. These are 2 must-do hikes in the Southern Flinders region of South Australia.