Mount Remarkable National Park is located 267km or 3 hours from Adelaide. The park is a popular destination for bushwalking, with trails for all ages and abilities. There are some incredible views in the area, especially from Mount Remarkable Summit which is 960 m high. The Willowie Forest area offers mountain biking and walking trails that meander through the foothills of the Mount Remarkable Range, with the option of short and long trails of varying difficulty. We only visited Melrose and Wilmington area. You can also visit Mambray Creek where there is a various range of hikes.
Goyder’s Monument- Rest Area
This is a free campground just off the Horrocks Hwy. We decided to stay at the second rest area just across the river. It’s a beautiful campground but has no facilities. It is conveniently located only 3km from Melrose where there are public toilets and you can fill up your tanks from the Caravan Park just call up before arriving. However its bore water so be weary of drinking it.
Mount Remarkable Summit
13.8km 5 hour return hike from the Swinging Bridge in Melrose or 13km return from Mt Remarkable Soldiers Memorial Monument. Follow the Northern loop up to the summit of Mt Remarkable and the southern loop back down. The trail is gently graded as it heads up to the summit. Although there is no views up the top there is views along the way.
Melrose to Wilmington Cycle Trail
It’s 19.7km one way from Melrose to Wilmington. The former Rail Trail line was opened in 1884. The trail is Part of the Southern Flinders Rail Trail. It’s a beautiful trail with views out to Mount Remarkable and the rolling hills. The time we visited in Spring there were many water crossings, some you may have to take your shoes off and walk some others may not be passable. The rail trail also passes Willowie forest with many mountain bike trail, From moderate to easy trails through the forest. To Hire a bike click Here. Bike hire starts from $85 and they also have kids bikes for hire.
Melrose Mountain Bike Trail’s
There are many trails in Melrose to suit all riders. Take a beautiful walk or ride along the creek following the Chicken run trail. Its a beautiful nature walk with bridges crossing over the creek. You can then follow the camel weavers trail as it follows the creek. For current trails click the Here. Bike Rentals starts from $85 and they also have kids bikes for hire.
Willowie Forest Trail’s
There are 3 walking trails in Willowie Forest: The Possum loop (4.2km), Echidna Loop (1.7km) and Monitor Loop (6.5km). The trails are a part of Mount Remarkable National Park and were built and opened in late 2017. The trails are shared for walkers and mountain bikers. These paths are mostly on wide fire tracks and the area is quite flat. There is also 8 Mountain bike Trails through the forest with 4 of them are green trails and 4 are Blue trails. These trail’s are mostly single tracks. Some of the paths are quite rocky in areas with a couple of water crossings.
Horrocks Pass Bush Camp
A great free campground just past the Horrocks Pass, The campground is about 12km from Wilmington. Although there isn’t too much in the area it is a great base to see Alligator Gorge and Mount Maria. It is about 20 minute drive from Port Augusta. Although there is no facilities, there is a dump point and drinking water in Port Augusta or Wilmington.
Alligator Gorge
It’s believed that the gorge is named after a local Aboriginal shepherd named Ally, who contributed greatly to early exploration and understanding of the area. It is located in Mount Remarkable National Park 12km from Wilmington.
Gorge Circuit Hike
3.3km 2-hour return circuit.
The Narrows is a gorge a couple of meters wide which stretches for several hundred meters. The Terraces are a series of platforms on which the creek flows over.
There are two car parks at Alligator Gorge. We parked up at the top carpark which is where the Gorge and Alli Lookout are. We began the hike down the stairs. From here head to the right along the Ring Route for about 500 meters to The Terraces. You then head back past the stairs and downstream to The Narrows. After The Narrows, you head up the hill to Blue Gum Picnic Area. From here head along the path back to the top carpark. You could also do the hike as a there and back route if you just want to see The Narrows. You could park at Blue Gum Picnic area and head down the hill and then return the same way.
An extended hike is the Ring Route loop which is 8.9km 4 hour return hike.
Which goes the full length of Alligator Gorge plus pass the Narrows and The Terraces.
Ally Lookout Walk- Alligator Gorge
400 meter 15 minute return walk.
A short and easy walk with spectacular views of Alligator Gorge below.
The Gorge Lookout is a 600 meter 20 minute return walk
Beautiful views over Alligator Basin.
Mount Maria
4.7km 2-hour return Hike.
The Mount Maria Walking Trail climbs the mountain just outside Wilmington, offering extensive views over the Willochra Plain, with views over the town of Wilmington. It’s a beautiful walk with spectacular views from the top. The Hike begins across the road from Centenary Park or at the end of Mount Maria Road just head to the end where there is a turn around zone and places to park.
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