Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail, SA

This trail along Goondooloo Ridge offers spectacular views of Backstairs Passage and the Pages Islands. Visitors will walk through re-vegetated and remnant native bushland to a lookout with spectacular views. Along the way large mobs of kangaroos can be seen grazing in the open fields or resting under eucalypts. This Grade 2 trail is suitable for visitors of all ages including families with young children and the elderly.

This is a Grade 2 walk and takes approximately 2 hours and is 4 km.

Follow the coast along rocky beaches with stunning coastal views towards Kangaroo Island and meander through low vegetation rich with butterflies on this easy walk.

As the name suggests, Fishery Beach is a popular fishing area.

This is a Grade 3 walk that takes around 2 hours, ad is 4.4 km.

Enjoy excellent views of Kangaroo Island and The Pages Islands on this challenging loop trail, which traverses windy grasslands and coastal scrub. Follow Blowhole Beach Hike down to the beach, before joining the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail and following it east to Cobbler Hill Campground and Marrano Creek. This terrain is steep and may be slippery – be prepared with adequate footwear. The trail starts from Cobbler Hill Picnic Area or Cobbler Hill Campground.

This is a half day Grade 4 walk covering 6.7 km.

As you hike down into the valley along a section of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail, you will journey through dense sheoak forests with rugged terrain. Along the way, you will be rewarded with excellent views of Deep Creek and a peaceful pit stop at Deep Creek Waterfall. A challenging hike for fit and experienced walkers. You can also start from Tapanappa Campground (add an extra 3 km return).

This is a half day Grade 4 walk over 7 km.

Taking in part of the Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail, this unique hike has breathtaking views of Kangaroo Island, The Pages Islands and Tunkalilla Beach. Those prepared for a steep trail and rock scramble can take a short diversion off the circuit trail to Boat Harbor Beach, a rocky cove where Boat Harbor Creek enters the Southern Ocean. The trail begins on Tapanappa Ridge. Follow the road towards Tapanappa Campground and turn to the ridge on your left before reaching the campground. This hike does not start at Tapanappa Lookout.

This is a half day Grade 4 walk over 7.3 km.

The best of both worlds – witness the powerful Southern Ocean up close as you traverse Waitpinga Beach before heading inland and then back out towards the towering Waitpinga Cliffs.

This is a half day Grade 4 walk over 8 km.

Walk the Wild South Coast Way your own way – any day, any direction, any section.

Spectacular coastal views from rolling hills and steep clifftops, watch for white-bellied sea-eagles on the way.

This is a half day Grade 4 walk over 8.6 km.

Many sections of the Wild South Coast Way are ideal for short hikes and overnight hikes, however it can be walked in its entirety. Some sections are rugged and remote, and should not be attempted until you have gained some bushwalking experience and are fit enough to traverse long challenging sections that include steep grades, rough sections and soft sandy beaches.

The walk from King Head to Waitpinga Beach within Newland Head Conservation Park is the spectacular highlight of the Heysen Trail. The focal point of this walk is again Waitpinga Cliffs. The trail follows along rolling hills and coastal scrub to the long Waitpinga Beach, a popular surfing and fishing spot. The walk includes panoramic views of Waitpinga Creek, Encounter Bay, the Pages in Backstairs Passage and Kangaroo Island.

This is a half day Grade 4 walk over 12 km.

The magnificent walk starts at the Bluff (Rosetta Head) passes Petrel Cove and follows the Victor Harbor Heritage Trail onto Kings Beach and then past King Head. The highlight of this walk is no doubt the Waitpinga Cliffs rising up 100 metres above the sea, one of SA’s most photographed coastal icons and an area frequented by the magnificent white-bellied sea-eagle. During May to October walkers may find southern right whales with calves.

This is half day walk over 14 km.

From the popular surf beach, ascend towards Ridgeway Hill before heading out to the coastal cliffs, passing sea-eagle nesting areas and the spectacular cliffs of Newland Head. Past the cliffs, the trail emerges onto Kings Beach. The main Heysen Trail turns north here, but a spur trail continues along the coast on the Victor Harbor Heritage Trail, past Petrel Cove to The Bluff, continuing past Whalers Way along the esplanade at Encounter Bay to Kent Reserve.

This is a full day Grade 4 walk over 19 km.

This section of the walk includes numerous highlights including one of the most iconic landscapes in South Australia, the Waitpinga Cliffs rising up 100 metres from the sea. Walkers will get to enjoy two magnificent beaches, namely Parsons Beach and Waitpinga Beach, spectacular views from the cliff tops towards Encounter Bay, The Bluff, Victor Harbor and Granite Island, and plentiful wildlife in the wild.

This is a 2 day Grade 4 walk over 29 km.

A rugged coastal hike through steep terrain and dense vegetation with spectacular views of Deep Creek. Be prepared to scramble over rocks on your way down to this secluded cove. Suitable for experienced and fit bushwalkers, this hike includes steep terrain and may be slippery. Be prepared to take your time and wear adequate footwear for extra grip. It can also be started from Tapanappa Campground (add 3 km return).

This is 2.5 hour Grade 5 walk over 3.4 km.

This hike offers some of the best landscape and ocean views in the park – it is also the most challenging. The trail is best taken in a clockwise direction from Trig Picnic Area, leading you to the waterfall and down into Deep Creek Cove. Deep Creek can be difficult to cross, and it is recommended not to cross when flooded. This hike is suited to experienced, fit walkers. The trail can be started from Trig Picnic Area or from Tapanappa Lookout.

This is a full day Grade 5 walk over 10.9 km.

A challenging full day 13 km Grade 5 hike that traverses the two major valleys of Deep Creek National Park, it also includes some of the most spectacular sights. From ocean views and scrubland to waterfalls and fern-filled gullies, this section provides a diverse hiking experience. This hike is suited to experienced, fit walkers.

The walk features the start of the coastal trail with amazing views to Kangaroo Island, Investigator Strait, and native bushland within Deep Creek National Park. It also includes the magnificent Blowhole Beach, the UFO house, Fishery Beach, First Nations’ history, spectacular valleys of Deep Creek, and plentiful wildlife in the wild.

This is a 2 day Grade 5 walk over 28 km.

The hallmark five-day four-night 74km Grade 5 walking experience from Cape Jervis to Victor Harbor can be walked in either direction. The trail offers some of the state's most spectacular and awe-inspiring coastal walking imaginable. The WSCW provides a genuine sense of wilderness, featuring remote beaches, native bushland, rugged cliffs, First Nations' history, breathtaking vistas, deep gullies and a rich diversity of native birds, bush and wildlife.